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What is Radon? Radon comes from the
natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water.
The release of this radioactive gas enters the air you
breathe, causing a potential health risk to you and your
family.
Radon gas can be found in just about anywhere. It can get
into any type of building -- homes, offices, and schools --
and build up to high levels.
What you should know about Radon
Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas.
You cannot see radon and you cannot smell it or taste it,
but it may be a problem in your home. This is because when
you breathe air-containing radon, you increase your risk of
getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned
that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
You should test for radon. Testing is
the only way to find out about your home's radon level. The
EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing of all homes
below the third floor for radon.
You can fix a radon problem. If you find
that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a
radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to
acceptable levels.
If you are buying a home. EPA recommends
that you obtain the radon level in the home you are
considering buying. An EPA publication "The Home Buyer's and
Seller's Guide" is available through most State Health
Departments or Regional EPA offices listed in your local
phone book. EPA also recommends that you use a certified or
state licensed radon tester to perform the test. If elevated
levels are found it is recommended that these levels be
reduced. In most cases, a professional can accomplish this
at reasonable cost or homeowner installed mitigation system
that adheres to the EPA's approved methods for reduction of
radon in a residential structure.
What are the Risk Factors?
The EPA, Surgeon General and The Center for Disease
Control, have all agreed that continued exposure to Radon
gas can cause lung cancer.
In fact, their position on the matter is that all homes
should be tested for radon gas exposure, and all homes
testing over 4 pCi/L should be fixed.
How Does Radon Enter the Home?
Typically the air pressure inside your home is lower than
the pressure in the soil around your home's foundation.
Due to this difference, your house acts like a vacuum,
drawing radon gas in through foundation cracks and other
openings of your home.
Radon may also be present in well water and can be
released into the air in your home when water is used for
showering and other household uses.
Potential Entry Points:
| 1. Cavities inside walls |
2. Cracks in solid floors |
3. Construction joints |
| 4. Cracks in walls |
5. The water supply |
6. Gaps in suspended floors |
| 7. Gaps around service pipes |
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