Dangers of Radon Gas in the Home
By Home Security Source Dec 16, 2010 | 10:25:00 amPosted in: Child Safety, Home, Pet Safety Did you ever think that your own home could be making you sick? The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acknowledges the presence of radon gas in the home as a serious health risk. Two major studies in the United States and Europe have removed any doubt that breathing low levels of radon causes lung cancer. Since these findings, the World Health Organization launched the International Radon Project. So, what is radon? How do you know it’s in your home, and what can you do about it?
Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogen that kills, existing both in outdoor and indoor areas. It is the result of uranium breaking down in the ground. It also is the number one culprit for lung cancer in non-smokers and there is no way to detect it without a proper test. If you think your home might have dangerous levels of radon, here is what to look for:
• A new cough that gets worse/won’t go away
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Wheezing and repetitious upper respiratory infections
Radon is all around us. It becomes dangerous when it accumulates in closed spaces, seeping into the home through basement drains and cracks in surfaces. It can also get trapped in water wells and come out when wells are used. There are simple ways to test for radon in your home. You can have a professional test your home or you can purchase a DIY kit.
Just like any other odorless/colorless silent killer in your home such as carbon monoxide, you will need to test for the presence of radon. The EPA recommends testing for radon, and fixing the levels so they fall between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter). If you have questions, get your radon levels checked.
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