Radon is dangerous because long-term exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. This radioactive gas is invisible and odorless, so the risk builds unnoticed over years. Testing is the only way to know your level, and elevated radon can be reduced through mitigation.
What is Radon?
Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be found all over the world. Radon comes from the decay of uranium in the soil. As radon decays it releases radiation that can damage the DNA within the human body. You cannot detect radon by smell, sight or taste. The only way to know if you are breathing radon gas is to perform a radon test. Scientists have known that radon gas causes lung cancer for a long time but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that they discovered the risk in homes. Because radon risk is a fairly recent discovery, many citizens of the United States are unaware that the air in their homes may cause lung cancer.
Radon is particularly dangerous because it comes from natural sources and can vary in levels over the course of a year as the seasons and weather conditions change. Your home might test at a lower level one month and then return a much higher reading during a different part of the year. The bright side is that elevated radon levels can be reduced. Affordable mitigation equipment and regular testing are all you need to stay safe in a home known to contain radon. At Protect Environmental we are your licensed and certified experts for both radon testing and mitigation services for your home.
Is Radon Dangerous?
Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that naturally results from the radioactive decay of uranium and other radioactive elements in rocks, soil, and sometimes in the water. As the gas rises, it can become easily trapped inside a structure like a home, office building, daycare, or school. The EPA reports that radon exposure is the second most common cause of lung cancer, following only smoking as a greater risk. If you smoke cigarettes and live in a home with high radon levels, you face a combined threat that may further increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
Radon gas constitutes the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. With the lowest survival rate among cancers, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 21,000 people die from radon-induced lung cancer per year1. In 2005, the Surgeon General of the United States issued a national health advisory on radon.
Your risk of leukemia also rises with exposure to radon. Since you’re spending hours at a time in your home inhaling the air, you’re likely going to take in radon as you cook, bathe, and sleep if it’s present in the home’s air supply. Children may be at a higher risk for radon exposure 5 according to some recent studies making daycares and schools especially important areas of concern.
Why Don’t You Hear More About Radon?
If you’re one of the many people who only recently asked, “What is a radon test and why do I even need one?”, you’re not alone. Despite being a major risk factor for lung cancer, there’s only a limited budget for radon awareness campaigns from the EPA and state health organizations. Most states publish brochures and papers warning residents, but these attempts at education often suffer from limited circulation. It’s certainly not front-page news in most parts of the country. Many people go their whole lives without knowing about the risks of radon. By learning about radon, you’ll be able to take the necessary steps to limiting your exposure and protecting yourself from its harmful effects.
Radon Statistics
With most homeowners knowing relatively little about radon gas and its risks, there’s plenty to learn before tackling the problem. Understanding the scope of radon exposure, the parts of the country with the highest levels of gas production, and mitigation costs will prepare you for taking on the challenge.
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- Smoking makes radon gas exposure much more likely to trigger lung cancer development. If you smoke, reducing your risk of radon exposure is all the more important.
- The lower your radon levels, the better. When you reach the 1.3 pCi/L level that is normal for indoor air, only two non-smokers out of 1,000 will develop lung cancer specifically due to the exposure.3 It’s impossible to have a zero level in areas where radon is common, but reducing the gas level as much as reasonably possible is worth the effort.
- Radon mitigation systems should be designed and installed depending on the unique needs of the property, its radon levels, and where radon is entering the home. Using a licensed professional radon mitigation contractor is the safest way to lower radon levels in your home.
How Can I Protect My Health?
If you are looking to protect your household from radon, then you need a company that understands the risks that face your family. Radon is a legitimate threat that you cannot see or smell. It could be all around you even though you are unable to perceive it. You need a better understanding of what is going on in the air around you in order to protect yourself. Protect Environmental has the expertise that you need to protect your household from the ongoing threat of deadly radon gas.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main health risk of long-term radon exposure is lung cancer. The EPA identifies radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and the leading cause among people who do not smoke. Radon is invisible and odorless, so testing is the only way to know your level.
There is no known completely safe level of radon, and risk rises as levels and exposure time increase. The EPA recommends taking action at 4.0 pCi/L or higher. Many homeowners choose to reduce radon further when they can, since lower levels generally mean lower long-term risk.
No. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked. Smoking and radon together raise risk far more than either alone, so people who smoke and live with elevated radon face a combined threat. Everyone benefits from testing, regardless of smoking status.
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. As it decays it releases small radioactive particles. When you breathe air with elevated radon indoors over long periods, those particles can damage lung tissue, and that damage is what raises the risk of lung cancer over time.
Some research suggests children may be more vulnerable to radon exposure, which is one reason homes, daycares, and schools are important places to test. Because children breathe faster and are still developing, reducing their long-term exposure to elevated radon is a sensible, protective step for families.
Yes. Elevated radon can usually be reduced. Testing tells you your level, and if it is high, a licensed radon professional can design a mitigation system suited to your home. Regular testing and a properly working system keep radon low and lower your long-term exposure.
Test My Home!
Professional radon testing is the first step to making your home a safe place to breathe.
