1 in 15 Homes Have Elevated Levels of This Cancer Causer. Is Your Family at Risk?

Check the map to see if your state in a high risk area for the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States

During the month of January, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promoting National Radon Action Month and encouraging Americans to take affordable and simple steps to protect their families from the second leading cause of lung cancer.  Radon is a colorless and odorless gas and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon can seep into a home from underground and if it is left to accumulate, high levels of radon can cause lung cancer.

“Testing for radon is an easy and important step in protecting the health of your family,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, Gina McCarthy.  "Radon can be found in every single state. Nationally, elevated radon levels are in as many as one in 15 homes – a statistic that is even higher in some communities.”

Radon is a natural, radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Radon is stealth and can find its way into your home through cracks in the foundation or through other openings such as holes or pipes. Over 20,000 people die every year in the United States from radon related lung cancer but with just two easy steps, you can prevent elevated levels of this cancer causing health hazard in your home:

1. Test - Both the EPA and U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes, both with and without basements, be tested for radon. You can pick up easy and inexpensive Do-It-Yourself radon test kit  at home improvement stores and online at Amazon.  If for some reason you are unable to test for radon yourself, an easy Google search will point you in the right direction to hire a qualified radon tester.
2. Fix - The EPA recommends taking action to fix radon levels above 4 Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L). Don't worry though, dealing with high radon levels often costs the same as other minor home repairs.

We can all support healthier homes and communities by gaining knowledge and sharing what we are learning!  Take time to stop and share what you just learned in this post to increase awareness of environmental health risks like radon gas.  Helping to improve indoor air quality and health by simply sharing what you know with your neighbors, friends and family is one of the easiest ways to live a greener lifestyle and it's so easy.  You can even use the share buttons above or below to send a Tweet or share with your friends on Facebook.

For more info on how you can test and fix radon gas leaks, obtain a text kit, or contact your state radon office, visit http://www.epa.gov/radon or call 1-800-SOS-RADON.  You can also get more information on the 2011 Federal Radon Action Plan at http://www.epa.gov/radon/action_plan.html.

P.S.- Have you heard about The Green PolkaDot Box! Recently launched with over 12,000 members and backed by the Organic Consumer's Association, you can easily buy NonGMO organics at wholesale pricing online.  It's like a Sam's club but focused on products for green, healthy living!!  You can even shop by dietary restrictions like gluten free, vegan or diabetic.

Source: EPA
Photo Source: http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/radon/rnus.html