Radon Gas In Your Home May Cause Lung Cancer
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Thousands of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.
I’ll bet many of you didn’t know that (I didn’t – until researching this).
[ Read: Radon Air Filter – Purifier For Your Home – Best Radon Detector ]
Where does Radon gas and radiation come from?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It emanates from the ground and into the air as a result of Uranium breaking down in the soil.
Radon is present worldwide, and its concentration depends on the uranium content of the soil.
Radon in our homes accounts for 50% of the public’s exposure to naturally-occurring sources of radiation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The gas escapes easily from the ground into the air and emits heavily ionizing radiation called alpha particles.
These particles are electrically charged and attach to dust and other particles in the air we breathe.
As a result, the alpha particles can damage our DNA and potentially cause lung cancer over time.
How Does Radon Get Into The House?
Radon gas gets into your house through cracks at concrete floor-wall junctions, gaps in the floor, pores in hollow-block walls, and also sumps and drains.
Because of this, radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars or other areas in contact with soil.
How do I know if Radon levels are too high?
The U.S. EPA recommends homes be repaired / fixed / mitigated if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) or above — although they do recommend considering action above 2 pCi/L.
There are several methods you can use to determine the level of radon gas in your home.
1. A professional who comes to your home to take measurements.
2. A do-it-yourself kit which can be purchased to absorb measurements that you then send to a lab for analysis.
3. A radon gas detector for the home.
>> I have this detector at home, the most popular today
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The following radon gas detector is also well reviewed. It will sound an alarm at high levels.
>> Safety Siren Pro Series3 Radon Gas Detector
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