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Lung Cancer Awareness: Is Your Home Radon-Free?

The month of November is National Lung Cancer Awareness month. Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer in the United States - second only to smoking. Unfortunately, lung cancer research is not well supported because many believe this type of cancer is self-induced. Each year thousands of people are diagnosed with lung cancer caused by radon. Thankfully there are steps you can take to ensure your home is healthy, your air quality is safe, and your family is protected.

What is radon?radon mitigation

Radon is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas that is undetectable by human senses. Radon is a naturally-occurring free radical that is produced as uranium in the soil decomposes. Due to the stack effect radon enters the living space of your home as it is suctioned up from the lower levels.

Because radon is a gas, it can easily enter your home in the following ways:

  • Cracks in concrete slabs
  • Spaces behind brick veneer walls that rest on uncapped hollow-brick foundation
  • Pores and cracks in concrete blocks
  • Floor-wall joints
  • Exposed soil, as in a sump
  • Weeping (drain) tile, if drained to open sump
  • Mortar joints
  • Loose fitting pipe penetrations
  • Open tops of block walls
  • Building materials such as some rocks
  • Water (from some wells)

How dangerous is radon?           

Radon is classified as a Class-A Carcinogen. Even low levels of radon in the home can be detrimental to your family’s health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that action be taken when radon levels reach 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). The World Health Organization’s (WHO) action level is set at 2.7 pCi/L. However, even levels of 1.0 pCi/L can be harmful over time. It is estimated that 1.0 pCi/L is equivalent to smoking 2.5 cigarettes a day. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

The effects of radon are not immediate. Long-term exposure to low levels of radon are considered to be more dangerous than short-term exposure to high levels. It is estimated that over 20,000 people die each year from radon-induced lung cancer.

How do I protect my family?

Thankfully, you can protect yourself and your family from radon. Woods Basement Systems is a member of the National Radon Defense network. Our team can install a radon mitigation system in your home to reduce the amount of radon detected to a safe level.

A radon mitigation system is typically installed in the crawlspace or basement. The system forces the radon gas out of your home through an exit installed on the roof of your home. With this system, you can breathe easily knowing you and your family are safe. Call 1-800-638-7048 or sign up online to get your radon test kit and FREE ESTIMATE.

 

About the author

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Desiree Bainbridge
Desiree is a digital marketing coordinator at Woods Basement Systems.

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