EPA Designates January as National Radon Action Month. 20,000 U.S. Cancer Deaths Can Be Prevented

Jan. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- The Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month.  According to recent reports from the World Health Organization, radon gas is responsible for approximately 20,000 deaths in the U.S. and 100,000 deaths worldwide each year.  This equates to about 15% of all lung cancer deaths.  Statistically, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and the second leading cause for smokers.  Learn more about radon gas at: http://www.MitigationSystem.com

The World Health Organization recently lowered their limit or “action level” for indoor radon levels from 4.0 to 2.7 (picocuries per liter) in response to several worldwide studies that point to health risks at lower exposure levels of the gas.  More than 100 scientists from 30 countries participated in the World Health Organization International Radon Project and assisted in the publishing of the Handbook on Indoor Radon which was released earlier this year.

According to The Environmental Protection Agency, over 8 million U.S. homes have dangerous levels of radon gas. The Surgeon General is urging the media, state health departments, and the press to participate in National Radon Action Month by helping to promote awareness of this silent killer. Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive.  “Radon test kits can be purchased from hardware stores, health departments, or online for around $20.00,” states Jamey Gelina; a certified radon mitigation specialist with Air Quality Control Agency.  http://www.RadonMitigation.us

Members of the private sector are working side-by-side with government agencies to spread awareness of this cancer-causing threat.  “By encouraging everyone to test their homes for radon and to take action when levels are elevated, we can all be a part this life-saving initiative” adds Benjamin Lombardi, who installs radon remediation systems throughout Colorado.  “Radon problems can be fixed in most homes for under $1,000” he adds.  

January (which is National Radon Action Month) is the perfect time of year to test for radon gas.  Testing in the summer time is difficult because occupants tend to keep windows and doors open for longer durations which could skew the results of the test.  Since winter time is when people tend to spend more time indoors, it makes sense to test during this time.  It’s a good idea to conduct a long-term or multiple short-term tests because radon levels can vary from season to season.  You can also constantly monitor home’s radon levels with an electronic radon detector.  Learn more at www.RadonMonitor.com.  

All homes should be tested for radon regardless of the age of the home, geographic location, or type of construction.  Radon problems have been found in every state in the U.S. and since you cannot see, smell, or taste radon, the only way to know if your home is affected is to conduct a test.  The EPA recommends that you conduct a test at least once every two years because radon levels can fluctuate over time.  If you find that your radon levels are above the World Health Organization limit of 2.7, a qualified contractor can install a radon reduction system to fix the problem.  In most cases, the work can be completed in a single day.  

Radon gas causes more deaths each year than any other in-home hazard including fires, carbon monoxide, drowning, poisoning, falls, and even guns!  National Radon Action Month is an ideal time to make your household a safer place.  You can learn more about National Radon Action Month and local activities that you can participate in and help create awareness about this deadly carcinogen at http://RadonMonth.WordPress.com.

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Air Quality Control is America's leading radon mitigation specialist. They offer radon reduction services in Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Call 1-800-NO-RADON [1-800-667-2366] or visit http://www.MitigationSystem.com