October 6, 2001 The Dekalb County Times-Journal Radon gas can cause lung cancer Staff reports The EPA cites radon as the no. 1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. They estimate that there are between 21,000 and 40,000 deaths a year directly attributed to radon. This places radon ahead of handguns, drunk driving and HIV as a leading cause of death in the U.S. The risk of radon contamination in both the air and water has also increased in recent years. This is due to the construction of more rightly scaled buildings with reduced ventilation and the use of synthetic building materials and furnishings. Professional Laboratories Inc., manufacturer of safety test kits, offers homeowners a way to determine if they are at risk by using their do-it-yourself radon test kit. Concerns about this environmental danger are skyrocketing. People are looking for a way to find out if homes, offices and schools are safe. "It's very easy to test for radon," James McDonnell, safety expert, said. "All you have to do is purchase a test kit, sold primarily at your favorite home center or hardware stores,and in the case of our test,open the vial and expose it to the air for 96 hours, recap the vial and send it to test for radon in the air. EPA Certified test results can be ready within a week or less. What exactly is radon? Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. According to the EPA, one in 15 homes has dangerously high radon levels. It's naturally formed under the earth's surface originating from decaying uranium in the soil. These radioactive particles start eating away at your lung tissue, which causes cancer and eventually death. Fireplaces also increase the risk of radon in a home. The oxygen needed to keep the flames burning is sucked up through the floorboards clearing a path for radon. A report issued by the National Academy of Science corroborates EPA conclusions. It recognizes drinking water related cancer deaths, primarily from lung cancer. The EPA is developing guidlines for state and public water supply system. Currently, 37 states require radon testing prior to selling a home. With the help of stricter laws, it will eventually be required in more states. Since radon levels can change, the EPA recommends testing annually. The EPA, the National Safety council the American Lung Association, the Surgeon General, the American Medical Association and the National Cancer Institute are spending 4 to 5 million dollars this year to educate Americans about the dangers of radon and the importance of testing every home and other buildings for contamination. Some questions to ask for possible deadly radon gas are as follows: Do you live in a house that has cinder block, brick or rock walls?, do you have exposed soil in the basement or foundation?. Do you have cracks in the basement wall or foundation?. Do you have an open sump pump of floor drain?, Do you have spaces between the walls and floors?, and Do you have exposed pipes or loose fittings? PRO-LAB radon test kits are available at home improvement and hardware stores nationwide. For more information about what's being done regarding toxins, check PRO-LAB's Web site at testyourhome.com. The Education Center on the site gives more information on radon, its history, where it's found, the radioactive series and different types of radiation, who is most at risk and more. There are also links to major health and environmental agencies on the site.
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