While there had been only weak evidence in the 1980’s and 90’s regarding how dangerous radon is, more recent research has left little doubt it causes harm to many people when not mitigated properly. After smoking, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer; the health effects of radon are responsible for approximately 21,000 annual lung cancer deaths.
The Health Risks of Radon
The U.S Surgeon General has released a national health advisory regarding radon’s health risks, and the WHO (World Health Organization) has an international radon project. There is certainty that radon, along with smoking, causes lung cancer in many individuals in the United States, nearing 200,000 annually.
A nation-wide governmental and private organization effort, the National Radon Action Plan, has been developed and is being implemented to spread the word about the dangers of radon. More and more states are enacting radon testing and mitigation requirements and regulations, and some mortgage companies are now requiring pre-purchase testing.
What is Radon, and Why is Radon Dangerous?
Radon is a colorless, carcinogenic gas, that’s also odorless and tasteless. It’s classified as Class A and comes from the natural decay of radium in the soil, seeping out and entering your home through cracks and can penetrate concrete and other mostly solid materials. Radon is prevalent throughout the United States, including areas like Northern Illinois, where more than one in five homes and businesses have radon levels exceeding 4.0 pCi/L, which is considered the danger level by the EPA and requires action.
Radon is extremely dangerous. In your home, inhaling a level of radon around 4.0 pCi/L has the equivalent health risk of smoking half a pack of cigarettes daily, according to the EPA. If your levels are 4.0 pCi/L or above, it’s time to do something about it.
What Should I Do About My Elevated Levels of Radon?
If your radon level is close to or above 4.0 pCi/L, you should consider hiring a radon mitigation company to install a radon reduction system in your home or business. Radon causes more deaths than drunk driving, falls in homes, drownings, and even home fires individually. With over 1,100 deaths from radon just in Illinois annually, it’s important to make sure your family is safe from the health effects of radon. Along with carbon monoxide, radon is one of the most easily preventable forms of death, so consider testing and getting a system today.
If you’ve already tested your home or workplace and have radon levels that pose a health risk, consider calling DuPage Radon Contractors to install a radon mitigation system for you.