Long Happy Life-Part 2 of 4: Got Radon?

Got Radon?

You have probably heard of RADON, but you may have foggy remembrances of ninth grade science class, and not quite remember just what Radon is.

RADON IS BAD.

What is radon?
From WedbMD:
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. It comes from the breakdown of uranium, which is a natural part of soil and rock. Radon is found in rock, soil, water, building materials (such as granite or shale), and natural gas. Radon cannot be detected by human senses because it is odorless, tasteless, and invisible.

From the EPA:it is an extremely toxic, colorless gas;

Where does Radon come from and how does it contribute to poor health?? Read on...
First off, you will be curious about your RADON exposure...check out the map above..and visit the EPA website to see a state by state map of radon levels...



if you are in the safe yellow states you may breath a sigh of relief. If you are in the high level red states...you may want to be a bit concerned.

LETS GET MORE INFO

How does radon exposure occur?
From webmd:
Any home, school, office, or other building can have a radon problem. Radon may seep in through cracks and pores in the foundation of a house built on radon-contaminated soil. Radon is found in many homes, new and old, well-sealed or drafty. You don't have to have a basement to have a radon problem. The radon can then become trapped inside, especially if the home is well-insulated.

Radon is found in homes all over the world and has been found in every state in the United States. Studies have shown that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has unsafe levels of radon.1, 2 The U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended in 2005 that all homes be tested for radon levels.

What are the health effects of radon exposure?
Long-term exposure to radon has been linked with lung cancer. Radon is now the second leading cause of lung cancer, after tobacco smoking. It is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the U.S.1 The risk of lung cancer is even higher when these causes are combined: smokers have a significantly higher risk for radon-associated lung cancer than nonsmokers.

Can radon exposure be prevented?
You can greatly reduce levels of radon in home, school, and work environments either by preventing it from entering buildings or by venting it out. When having radon professionally vented from your home or office, it is important to have a reputable company's help in following the guidelines set up by the EPA. If you live outside the United States, you can contact your regional environmental protection office for more information.

WHAT CAN I DO?
If you suspect that the levels of RADON in your home or office may be unsafely high--its simple--GET TESTED!

Though kit availability varies from state to state, here in New York, you can order an at-home testing kit from the EPA for only $6.95

Order it here:


So, one major part of living a long and happy life is to BE EDUCATED ABOUT YOUR RISKS. Radon exposure is a environmental factor which could lead to lung cancer and shorten your life. So have a curious mind and be informed--and ask questions form the EPA. There is recent controversy with granite counter tops and even radon in water....the epa's website is very informative. It is only up to us to investigate and learn.

www.epa.gov/radon