Live in a house, condominium, or apartment? If so, then here is what you need to know about radon and how it could be impacting you and others (including pets).
According to the U.S. EPA, nearly 1 in 3 homes tested in seven states and on three Indian lands had radon levels over 4 pCi/L, the EPA’s recommended action level for radon exposure. About 1 in 6 homes throughout the U.S. are predicted to test at or above the EPA’s consider action level of 2 pCi/L.
A family whose home has radon levels of 4 pCi/L is exposed to approximately 35 times as much radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would allow if that family was standing next to the fence of a radioactive waste site (25 mrem limit, 800 mrem exposure). Living in a home with a radon level of 4 pCi/L is also like getting 200 chest x-rays per year.
Lung cancer mortality statistics are dismal, but awareness leading to prevention and early diagnosis can help turn the numbers around just as they have for other cancers, including breast cancer and prostate cancer. You can start your own personal prevention program by testing your home for radon, the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, and a significant contributor to lung cancer deaths in smokers.
Protect your home and your family: Test for radon now.
