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Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. |
| You can't see
radon. And you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your
home. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's
because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In
fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause
of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer
deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of
lung cancer is especially high. |
Radon can be found all over the U.S. |
| Radon comes
from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water
and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It
can get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and build
up to high levels. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest
exposure at home. That's where you spend most of your time. |
You should test for radon. |
| Testing is the
only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the
Surgeon General recommend testing
all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing
in schools. Testing is inexpensive and easy - it should only take a few minutes
of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon. |
You can fix a radon problem. |
There are simple ways to fix a radon problem that aren't too costly. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Recently Released University of Iowa College of Public Health study finds residential radon exposure poses a significant lung cancer risk. Read the press release with links to more about the study at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/iowastudy.html. Home buyer's and seller's should read the about radon and real estate as well as the "Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon" provided by the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) (6609J) 402-K-00-008, July 2000. If you have further questions about Radon, please call your State Radon Contact or the National Radon Information Line at: 1-800-SOS-RADON or
(if you have tested your home) |
