Don’t let a potential killer into your home. Although many people don’t realize it, radon kills thousands of Americans every year. In fact, it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer—smoking is the first.
Radon gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. From there it gets into the air where you may inhale it. Radon can be found all over the country and can get into any type of building—homes, offices, and schools. But most people get the greatest exposure at home.
Worse news: It’s estimated that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States has elevated radon levels. Typically, radon moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Then it gets trapped inside where it can build up.
The only way to know if a home has a radon problem is to test. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. There are many kinds of low-cost do-it-yourself radon test kits available online, in hardware stores, and in other retail outlets.
If you have a problem, don’t worry. It can be fixed. Radon reduction systems are effective and affordable. Some systems reduce radon levels by up to 99 percent. For more important safety tips, click here.