You can’t see it, taste it, smell it or feel, but radon can cause serious health issues, and you definitely don’t want it in your home. For some folks, that’s all they need to know, but if you want to learn more about this cancer-causing radioactive gas during National Radon Awareness Month, we’ve compiled a… Read more »
Category: Radon
Maryland County Leading the Way on Radon Testing
We’ve discussed the dangers that radon can pose to homeowners throughout the country, but the laws that govern how and when radon is tested are not uniform across every state or even in individual counties. As we continue to look at radon as part of National Radon Awareness Month, we take a closer look at… Read more »
Using Etched Glass to Determine Radon Exposure
Exposure to radon has been a growing concern since the 1980’s and in Illinois since 2010. Radon, which can enter a building from the soil beneath a home or business through cracks or gaps in the foundation, has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. Learn more about radon in one of my… Read more »
Polonium 210 – A Deadly Radon Byproduct
A British court revealed earlier this year that in 2006, Russian spies murdered former KGB operative Alexander Litvinenko using polonium-210. The story blew to massive proportions as Russian president Vladimir Putin said he “probably” approved the killing, showing the brutality and underhanded dealings of the Russian government, according to the Observer. As polonium-210 decays, it releases alpha… Read more »
January is National Radon Awareness Month
Radon is a radioactive gas that’s produced by the earth from naturally occurring uranium in the soil and water decaying over time. This gas is harmful to people when exposed to elevated levels over an extended period of time. In some areas in the country where radon levels are particularly high, however, the elevated levels… Read more »
What Is Radon, Anyway?
You may have been told that it’s a smart idea to have your property tested for radon, but what is exactly is radon and why is it harmful? Although many homes throughout the U.S. have some level of radon inside, many people are exposed to amounts that can cause a number of different diseases. In… Read more »
Developing Lung Cancer Without Smoking: Cause for Concern
Many Americans die due to lung cancer every year, but many people only attribute these deaths to smoking. As much as smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, there is one cause that sits ahead of secondhand smoking: exposure to Radon. What is Radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that is commonly found in… Read more »
Radon Testing: Protect your Lungs and Your Family
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. What’s more, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and is responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths as a result of lung cancer each year. Unfortunately, many of these deaths are ones that could have possibly… Read more »
January is National Radon Awareness Month
The worst part about radon exposure is the fact that you can’t smell, taste or see it, but it can still be present in your home, office, daycare facility or school. As we honor January as Radon Awareness Month and celebrate 30 years of Radon Awareness in 2014, it’s important to recognize the dangers of… Read more »
What Makes Passive Mitigation Effective or Ineffective
This past summer, a statewide Minnesota building code was put in effect in order to reduce the risk of exposure to the cancer-causing agent known as radon. The code was initiated after a staggering 40 percent of the homes that were tested for radon came back at levels above the safety standard. The Health Department… Read more »