January is National Radon Action Month — Take the Radon Test Challenge!
A common myth is that homes and buildings in Illinois do not have high radioactive radon. This is not correct. Forty-three percent of the homes in Illinois have high radon levels and over 1,400 Illinoisans suffer from radon induced lung cancer every year.
This January, Radonova (of Lombard, Illinois) challenges everyone to test for radon gas during National Radon Action Month.
Why:
Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the #2 cause of lung cancer nationwide. It is responsible for over 21,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
When:
The EPA designates January as National Radon Action Month.
What:
One in every 15 homes in the United States and 43% of Illinois homes has high radioactive radon levels and the EPA recommends homeowners check their radon levels every two years.
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that forms when the uranium in natural stone below a home or building decays. The gas produces harmful radioactive atoms that become caught in the lungs when people breathe. Radon seeps into homes and buildings through cracks and by pushing through the concrete in foundations, and crawl spaces.
Why:
The goal of Radon Action Month is to raise awareness about the effects of radon and the importance of radon testing, radon mitigation, and to advance the use of radon-resistant construction techniques.
This month is a means to educate homeowners and the public about the health dangers of radon exposure as well as best practices for removing the harmful gas from homes and workplaces. “Radon damages your lungs and exposure over time causes lung cancer. The only way to know if your home has high radon levels is to test,” says Zan Jones, Vice President for Radonova, Inc.
What can be done?
A radon test for your home is simple to do. If radon levels come back at or above the EPA’s actionable limit of 4 picocuries per liter, then a certified mitigation contractor can make the necessary home modifications to reduce radon to safer levels.
About Radonova
Radonova is the manufacturer and laboratory of radon detectors and radon detection instruments in over 80 countries and has performed millions of measurements. Visit radonova.com.