Radon is the second leading cause behind lung cancer in the United States. Although lung cancer can be treated but survival rate is one of the lowest for those having cancer. Radon decays quickly and when inhaled, these radioactive particles can damage lung cells. When person is exposed to radon for a long time, it can lead to lung cancer. January is Radon Awareness Month and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges everyone in United States to test their homes for radon gas.
Every year, more than 21,000 American lives are lost due to lung cancer caused by radon gas. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said, “Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and is both colorless and odorless, so I encourage everyone to take time this January to test and prevent radon exposure in your homes.” “Millions of homes have been tested for radon and repaired, but millions more homes with high levels of this radioactive gas remain,” he added.
Radon is normally found at very low levels in outdoor air and at higher levels in the air in houses and other buildings, as well as in water from underground sources. Radon levels vary greatly in different parts of the United States, depending on the characteristics of the rock and soil in the area. The levels are usually high in basement or crawl space. According to the EPA, average indoor radon level is about 1.3 picocuries per liter. People should take proper action to ensure that the radon levels remain low in the home. EPA also estimates that about 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States has elevated radon levels. Testing for radon is a simple step to protect your loved ones from the deadly disease.
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