Radon Testing
Get peace of mind for your family and call to have A1 House Prep test your home for radon.
Exposure to Radon Causes Lung Cancer In Non-smokers and Smokers Alike The Facts...
Lung cancer kills thousands of Americans every year. Smoking, radon, and secondhand smoke are the leading causes of lung cancer. Although lung cancer can be treated, the survival rate is one of the lowest for those with cancer. From the time of diagnosis, between 11 and 15 percent of those afflicted will live beyond five years, depending upon demographic factors. In many cases lung cancer can be prevented.
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Smoking causes an estimated 160,000* cancer deaths in the U.S. every year (American Cancer Society, 2004). And the rate among women is rising. On January 11, 1964, Dr. Luther L. Terry, then U.S. Surgeon General, issued the first warning on the link between smoking and lung cancer. Lung cancer now surpasses breast cancer as the number one cause of death among women. A smoker who is also exposed to radon has a much higher risk of lung cancer.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. On January 13, 2005, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, the U.S. Surgeon General, issued a national health advisory on radon.
World Health Organization’s international radon project
Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of lung cancer and responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Smoking affects non-smokers by exposing them to secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke can have serious consequences for children’s health, including asthma attacks, affecting the respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia), and may cause ear infections.
For smokers the risk of lung cancer is significant due to the synergistic effects of radon and smoking. For this population about 62 people in a 1,000 will die of lung-cancer, compared to 7.3 people in a 1,000 for never smokers. Put another way, a person who never smoked (never smoker) who is exposed to 1.3 pCi/L has a 2 in 1,000 chance of lung cancer; while a smoker has a 20 in 1,000 chance of dying from lung cancer.
Getting your house tested for radon is important for several reasons:
1. Health Concerns: Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced naturally in the ground and can enter homes through cracks in the foundation, walls, floors, and gaps around pipes and cables. Prolonged exposure to high levels of radon is a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is a significant health risk. Testing your home for radon can help identify if there are elevated levels of this gas indoors, which is crucial for protecting the health of you and your family.
2. Silent and Odorless: Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, which means you can’t detect it without specialized testing equipment. This makes it especially dangerous because you may not be aware of its presence in your home without conducting a radon test.
3. Peace of Mind: Testing your home for radon can provide peace of mind, knowing whether or not your indoor radon levels are within safe limits. If your test results show low levels of radon, you can rest assured that your family is at lower risk. If elevated levels are found, you can take steps to mitigate the issue.
4. Legal Requirements: In some areas, radon testing may be required by law when selling or buying a home. Real estate transactions often include radon testing and mitigation as part of the process to ensure the safety of the future occupants.
5. Property Value: Knowing and disclosing the radon levels in your home can also affect its value. Homes with lower radon levels may be more attractive to potential buyers, while homes with high radon levels may require mitigation measures or impact the selling price.
6. Mitigation: If a radon test indicates elevated levels, you can take steps to reduce radon levels in your home through radon mitigation systems. These systems can effectively lower radon concentrations, making your home safer for occupancy.
In summary, testing your house for radon is a proactive step to safeguard the health and well-being of your family. It is particularly important because radon is a hidden danger that cannot be detected by the senses. If elevated levels are found, mitigation measures can be taken to reduce the risk of radon-related health problems. Testing for radon is a simple and affordable process, and it is strongly recommended for all homes, especially in areas known to have a higher risk of radon exposure.
For more information
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- Website: Visit the EPA’s Radon website (https://www.epa.gov/radon) for comprehensive information about radon, including testing, health risks, and mitigation.
- Radon Map: The EPA provides a U.S. Radon Map that allows you to check the radon levels in your area.
American Lung Association:
- The American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/) provides information on radon and its health effects, as well as resources for testing and mitigation.