Radon Kills 20,000 Americans Each Year
According to the American Lung Association, Radon Gas has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer. Obviously, smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. The information is released in conjunction with studies that suggest approximately 20,000 deaths each year in The United States are caused by exposure to radon gas.
The Surgeon General recommends that all homes should be tested for radon. They believe that 8 million U.S. homes have dangerous radon levels.
Radon is a gas that develops when radium in rock, soil and water breaks decomposes within the Earth. It then rises up through voids in the ground to escape into the atmosphere. Since radon gas cannot be detected by human senses, the only way to know if a home is contaminated is to conduct a test.
Most of the time, Radon escapes into the atmosphere outdoors where levels of the gas are not excessive. However, when drawn into a home or building, it can pose a health risk.
The Radon gas in the soil under your home collects in the voids and air spaces under the foundation slab and gradually enters the home. It can also enter through cracks in foundations or even through showers and drainage sumps. Most new homes have much better insulation than in the past, of so the Radon gas becomes trapped indoors. So in this case the better insulation and sealing actually works against you.
Approximately 8% of the homes in the U.S. have unidentified radon problems. This statistic makes radon gas the most common indoor Group A Carcinogen.
When elevated radon levels are found, a radon reduction system can be installed to correct the problem. The systems consist of PVC pipes with inline fans that draw the gasses out from below the home. According to Jamey Gelina, a radon specialist with Air Quality Control Agency, “Radon mitigation systems are very effective at diverting the radon gas to the outdoor environment before it can enter the home.