January is Radon Action Month!

Much has been written already here about Radon, and its potential hazards.  For those who don't know - Radon is a colorless, odorless gas which is a by-product of uranium breaking down in the soil.  The gas slowly makes its way to the topsoil, and disperses into the air, causing no harm.

The problem comes in when the gas is blocked by a building.  It finds any opening - plumbing entry, cracks in the foundation, etc - and radon enters your home.  Remember that musty, mildewy smell in your basement?  Chances are it's the worst ventilated space in your home.  That lack of ventilation actually helps keep radon there.  The gas builds up and eventually reaches toxic levels.

What's the harm?  Radon has been linked to Lung Cancer.  In fact, it is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer, ahread of 2nd hand smoke!  In fact, radon is estimated to cause up to 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year!  Remember the sudden death of Dana Reeve - wife of Superman Christopher Reeve?  She passed away at the age of 44, because of lung cancer - yet she had never smoked.  She could very well have been a radon victim.  Sadly, one of every five women in the US diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked!  Radon?  Hmmmmm...

What can you do?  Get your home tested for Radon.  Most home improvement stores sell a retail testing kit which is easy to use.  It has instructions for the test, then send it off for results.  If planning a renovation - especially something like finishing that basement - test the area first.  If your children frequently play in the basement, test the area.  Children seem to be highly susceptible for certain types of cancer from radiation.

When your buyer has a home inspection done (hopefully), suggest that a radon test is performed.  Remember that Radon is a naturally-occurring gas, and is almost always present in various levels in the air we breathe.  For that reason, it can be found in any home, anywhere in the world. 

January is Radon Action Month - a simple, inexpensive test kit could save lives - yours, your family's, or your client's.