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Q: Why should I be concerned about radon?
A: Exposure to radon can increase your chances of getting lung
cancer. Scientists are more certain about radon risks than risks from most
other cancer-causing substances. Smoking combined with radon exposure is
an especially dangerous health risk.
Q: How does radon affect my health?
A: Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get
trapped in your lungs when you breathe. These particles release bursts of
energy that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.
Q: What is radon? Where does it come from?
A: Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that results from the
breakdown of uranium. Uranium is present in most of the soil and rock
around the world. It is typically concentrated in areas with lots of
granite, shale, phosphate and pitchblende.
Q: How does radon enter your home?
A: Because radon is a gas, it can leak into your house through the
basement or crawl space--via adjacent or exposed soil and rock--or through
well water. Some building materials such as natural stone or rock can
contain and emit radon. Radon can also be carried into your house through
natural gas.
Q: How do I know if my home has significant
concentrations of radon?
A: The only way to know is to
have your home tested. You may be able to hire a radon monitoring
service--check your Yellow pages under "radon" or "labs."
You can also monitor radon levels yourself by using an alpha track
detector, which takes at least a month--up to a year for more accurate
readings--to determine average radon concentration. Such detectors cost
about $20-$25 per kit which usually include postage and reporting on test
results. Because these long term tests are exposed to radon for a longer
period, they are generally considered more valid than the short term
carbon detector tests. These can be conducted in two to seven days and
cost $10-$20 per kit.
Q: Where can I get more information about
radon?
A: Contact your local Extension Office or your
state's health department. These agencies have pamphlets of information
about radon, including "A Citizen's Guide to Radon," published
by the Environmental Protection Agency.
If you're concerned about radon in your home, take action now.
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