The misunderstandings about radon are contributing to the high number of radon-induced lung cancers. This information is from the EPA to "clear the radon air!"
MYTH: Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem.
FACT: Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.
Scientists are more certain about radon risks than from most other cancer-causing substances.
MYTH: Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and expensive.
FACT: Radon testing is easy. You can test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon test company. Either approach takes only a small amount of time and effort.
MYTH: Homes with radon problems can't be fixed.
FACT: There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs; check with one or more qualified mitigators. Call your state radon office for help in identifying qualified mitigation contractors.
MYTH: Radon affects only certain kinds of homes.
FACT: House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, and homes without basements. Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes.
MYTH: Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country.
FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know your radon level is to test.
MYTH: A neighbor's test result is a good indication of whether your home has a problem.
FACT: It's not. Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it.
MYTH: Everyone should test their water for radon.
FACT: Although radon gets into some homes through water, it is important to first test the air in the home for radon. If your water comes from a public water supply that uses ground water, call your water supplier. If high radon levels are found and the home has a private well, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 800-426-4791 for information on testing your water.
MYTH: It's difficult to sell homes where radon problems have been discovered.
FACT: Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have not been blocked or frustrated. The added protection is some times a good selling point.
MYTH: I've lived in my home for so long, it doesn't make sense to take action now.
FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you've lived with a radon problem for a long time.
MYTH: Short-term tests can't be used for making a decision about whether to fix your home.
FACT: A short-term test, followed by a second short-term test* can be used to decide whether to fix your home. However, the closer the average of your two short-term tests is to 4 pCi/L, the less certain you can be about whether your year-round average is above or below that level. Keep in mind that radon levels below 4 pCi/L still pose some risk. Radon levels can be reduced in most homes to 2 pCi/L or below.
* If the radon test is part of a real estate transaction, the result of two short-term tests can be used in deciding whether to mitigate. For more information, see EPA's "Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon".
For Further Information
See: www.epa.gov/radon
http://www.radonkc.com/
Welcome to ResCom Radon Solutions Blog!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
The Personal Tragedy of Radon-Induced Lung Cancer
Some people consider the issue of radon to be something out of science fiction. The survivors and victims of radon-induced lung cancer wish that it was fiction, but to them it is fact. A wonderful support organization for these cancer victims is CanSAR – Cancer Survivors Against Radon. On their website, www.CanSAR.org, are their stories – how they had no idea they were being exposed to radon in their homes until they were diagnosed with lung cancer. Their stories make us know how important raising radon awareness is.
We have recently heard two stories personally. Our daughter in law has a close friend in Mission, KS whose mother, a healthy woman, non-smoker, recently died from lung cancer. When she was diagnosed, her doctor told her to test for radon in their home. They were surprised to find out they did indeed have high radon levels in the family room of their home. They did not previously know they were living with this hidden danger in their home.
Another story brought to our attention is a client of our son in law who lives in Iowa. Della wrote to us her story:
“Do you know that radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer?
I read an article about radon in the newspaper. It stated where to write to obtain a radon testing kit for a nominal fee.
I ordered the kit and tested our home. It indicated that we needed to install equipment to exhaust the radon. We had it installed about a month later in June of 2006.
My husband, Bill, had been a smoker for many years. He stopped smoking 24 years before he was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer in March, 2007. He died September 2007, 1 day before our 55th wedding anniversary. We had lived in our home 36 years at that time. How I wish I had known about radon many years earlier."
ResCom Radon Solutions tests and mitigates radon issues in homes and businesses but we also hope to raise radon awareness so the figures of 21,000 deaths a year due to radon-induced lung cancer will be seen no more.
We have recently heard two stories personally. Our daughter in law has a close friend in Mission, KS whose mother, a healthy woman, non-smoker, recently died from lung cancer. When she was diagnosed, her doctor told her to test for radon in their home. They were surprised to find out they did indeed have high radon levels in the family room of their home. They did not previously know they were living with this hidden danger in their home.
Another story brought to our attention is a client of our son in law who lives in Iowa. Della wrote to us her story:
“Do you know that radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer?
I read an article about radon in the newspaper. It stated where to write to obtain a radon testing kit for a nominal fee.
I ordered the kit and tested our home. It indicated that we needed to install equipment to exhaust the radon. We had it installed about a month later in June of 2006.
My husband, Bill, had been a smoker for many years. He stopped smoking 24 years before he was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer in March, 2007. He died September 2007, 1 day before our 55th wedding anniversary. We had lived in our home 36 years at that time. How I wish I had known about radon many years earlier."
ResCom Radon Solutions tests and mitigates radon issues in homes and businesses but we also hope to raise radon awareness so the figures of 21,000 deaths a year due to radon-induced lung cancer will be seen no more.
Monday, December 26, 2011
It's National Radon Action Month
Since radon-induced lung cancer causes more deaths each year than drunk driving, distracted driving, and second-hand cigarette smoke, all of which we are aware of because of public awareness campaigns and legislated control, or proposed legislation, you have to wonder what would happen to the number of radon gas-caused deaths if there was more public awareness or legislative action. This past year, 2011, over 21,000 people in the United States and over 100,000 people worldwide died from radon-induced lung cancer.
The EPA and other radon action organizations are working together to raise radon awareness through National Radon Action Month each January. Schools are encouraged to sponsor poster contests and discuss radon issues with students. The EPA has produced some excellent public service announcements for radio and television.
One of the best methods of raising awareness is by word of mouth - homeowners who have their homes tested telling their friends, family and neighbors about radon. And in the state of Missouri, your home can be tested for free! Visit http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/testkit.php and if you have already had your home tested, make a point of inviting someone you know to have their home tested during National Radon ACTION Month.
As a reminder of how important it is to test for radon, you can pass along to others a great testimony from a radon-induced lung cancer victim, Eddie Metcalf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcvoZ1pP3ak. Let us know if we can answer any questions you may have about radon issues - we would be glad to help!
The EPA and other radon action organizations are working together to raise radon awareness through National Radon Action Month each January. Schools are encouraged to sponsor poster contests and discuss radon issues with students. The EPA has produced some excellent public service announcements for radio and television.
One of the best methods of raising awareness is by word of mouth - homeowners who have their homes tested telling their friends, family and neighbors about radon. And in the state of Missouri, your home can be tested for free! Visit http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/testkit.php and if you have already had your home tested, make a point of inviting someone you know to have their home tested during National Radon ACTION Month.
As a reminder of how important it is to test for radon, you can pass along to others a great testimony from a radon-induced lung cancer victim, Eddie Metcalf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcvoZ1pP3ak. Let us know if we can answer any questions you may have about radon issues - we would be glad to help!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Amazing Radon Results in Grandview
A real estate professional advised a family about to purchase a home in Grandview not long ago - "Don't mess with a radon test - they don't have radon in Grandview." The home buyers opted to test anyway (thankfully!) and found their home did have unsafe levels of radon. After installing a mitigation system, their home is now "radon safe." Problem solved. I love it when that happens!
Back to Grandview - We were contacted to do a radon test for a homeowner in Grandview whose neighbor had been diagnosed with lung cancer - had never been a smoker. But their doctor wanted them to test their home for radon - the result was a very high 40. (The "safe" level designated by the EPA is below 4). Their doctor believes radon is the source of her lung cancer.
The test we conducted for the Grandview family resulted in a reading of 42! This family was being exposed to this health-threatening gas and would never have known it until they tested. They now have a mitigation system and this danger is no longer in their home.
As we have said many times, radon problems in homes can be very radom - one home can have a high level and the neighboring home be in the safe range. That's why testing is so important. And it's so inexpensive to test - $69.95 through ResCom. But you can test your home for free by contacting the Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services. They'll send you a test, you send it back in and you get a report - all free!
http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/testkit.php
Don't let anyone tell you radon isn't an issue in your neighborhood. Test. And if needed, fix. You'll be radon safe!
Back to Grandview - We were contacted to do a radon test for a homeowner in Grandview whose neighbor had been diagnosed with lung cancer - had never been a smoker. But their doctor wanted them to test their home for radon - the result was a very high 40. (The "safe" level designated by the EPA is below 4). Their doctor believes radon is the source of her lung cancer.
The test we conducted for the Grandview family resulted in a reading of 42! This family was being exposed to this health-threatening gas and would never have known it until they tested. They now have a mitigation system and this danger is no longer in their home.
As we have said many times, radon problems in homes can be very radom - one home can have a high level and the neighboring home be in the safe range. That's why testing is so important. And it's so inexpensive to test - $69.95 through ResCom. But you can test your home for free by contacting the Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services. They'll send you a test, you send it back in and you get a report - all free!
http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/testkit.php
Don't let anyone tell you radon isn't an issue in your neighborhood. Test. And if needed, fix. You'll be radon safe!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
National Radon Week!
October 17th – 24th has been designated as “Radon Awareness Week” in the U.S. by the Federal Government. Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The U.S. government has known of this deadly household problem for over two decades. In fact, Ronald Reagan passed the National Indoor Radon Abatement Act back in 1988 to address the problem. Despite this recognition, over 22,000 lung cancer deaths that have occurred every year since the act was passed, and it wasn’t until this year that the government actually put a plan of action into place!
On June 20th, 2011, the United States government passed the Federal Radon Action Plan. The plan calls for several branches of the U.S. government to implement programs to reduce the risk of lung cancer to the American public in their homes and workplaces. Among the government sectors called to action are U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the General Services Administration, and the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Interior, and Veterans Affairs.
The plan will put into place measures that will require radon testing and mitigation in American homes and workplaces. Testing for radon gas during real estate transactions will be a requirement and remediation will be necessary when the levels of radon gas are dangerous. Schools, workplaces, and daycare facilities will be tested for radon to protect the American public outside their homes. The goal of the Federal Radon Action Plan is simple: save lives through radon testing and mitigation.
These may seem like drastic measures, but if they are in place, radon-induced lung cancer will be virtually eliminated because homes, schools, and businessess will be radon safe! Remember, testing for radon is inexpensive and saves lives.
See http://www.radonweek.org/ for more information!
On June 20th, 2011, the United States government passed the Federal Radon Action Plan. The plan calls for several branches of the U.S. government to implement programs to reduce the risk of lung cancer to the American public in their homes and workplaces. Among the government sectors called to action are U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the General Services Administration, and the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Interior, and Veterans Affairs.
The plan will put into place measures that will require radon testing and mitigation in American homes and workplaces. Testing for radon gas during real estate transactions will be a requirement and remediation will be necessary when the levels of radon gas are dangerous. Schools, workplaces, and daycare facilities will be tested for radon to protect the American public outside their homes. The goal of the Federal Radon Action Plan is simple: save lives through radon testing and mitigation.
These may seem like drastic measures, but if they are in place, radon-induced lung cancer will be virtually eliminated because homes, schools, and businessess will be radon safe! Remember, testing for radon is inexpensive and saves lives.
See http://www.radonweek.org/ for more information!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Dr. Oz Calls Attention to the Danger of Radon
I talked with an advertising rep on the phone today who had never heard of radon - even though she lives in the St. Louis area which has a high incidence of dangerous radon levels in homes.
Getting the word out about radon is challenging. "Why haven't I ever heard of anyone dying from radon?" people ask. We personally know of two people in recent years who have died from radon-induced lung cancer in the KC Metro and one of these is the mother of a close friend of our daughter-in-law who lives in Shawnee, KS. In both of these cases, they had no idea that radon was threatening their health in their home.
This segment on the Dr. Oz show this past February has been very helpful to get the word out on radon. When people become aware, they get their home tested. If dangerous levels of radon are found, it is easy to fix the problem - and lives are saved.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/radon-danger-your-home
Getting the word out about radon is challenging. "Why haven't I ever heard of anyone dying from radon?" people ask. We personally know of two people in recent years who have died from radon-induced lung cancer in the KC Metro and one of these is the mother of a close friend of our daughter-in-law who lives in Shawnee, KS. In both of these cases, they had no idea that radon was threatening their health in their home.
This segment on the Dr. Oz show this past February has been very helpful to get the word out on radon. When people become aware, they get their home tested. If dangerous levels of radon are found, it is easy to fix the problem - and lives are saved.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/radon-danger-your-home
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Radon Risk in Metro Kansas City
There is a good reason radon is called the "silent killer." It's easy to be unaware of a danger that is oderless and tasteless. We hear so much about avoiding second-hand smoke and that is important. But we hear very little about radon causing lung cancer and it is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers - over 21,000 deaths each year! Second-hand smoke is estimated to cause 3,000 deaths a year. I won't say "only" 3,000 deaths a year because each of these statistics represents someone's loved one, but this statistic surprises many people.
The entire Kansas City area is in the EPA designated Zone 1 for radon intensity which means the highest concentrations of radon are present. Nearly 1 in 3 homes in the KC Metro may have dangerous levels of radon!
Another interesting aspect of radon is that radon levels are completely random from house to house. Your home may have a safe level (below 4.0 pCi/L) and your neighbor's home may be over 30. pCi/L.
A common misconception about radon is that it is only a problem in older homes with basements. But radon particles rise from decaying rock and soil through concrete, through cracks and other foundation openings and enter dwellings built on concrete slabs as well as homes built having basements or crawl spaces and then become trapped in the indoor environment. Even a "walk-out" basement can have high levels of radon.
How do you protect your health from radon? The EPA and the US Surgeon General recommend every home and building be tested. It's easy to test and lives can be saved.
The entire Kansas City area is in the EPA designated Zone 1 for radon intensity which means the highest concentrations of radon are present. Nearly 1 in 3 homes in the KC Metro may have dangerous levels of radon!
Another interesting aspect of radon is that radon levels are completely random from house to house. Your home may have a safe level (below 4.0 pCi/L) and your neighbor's home may be over 30. pCi/L.
A common misconception about radon is that it is only a problem in older homes with basements. But radon particles rise from decaying rock and soil through concrete, through cracks and other foundation openings and enter dwellings built on concrete slabs as well as homes built having basements or crawl spaces and then become trapped in the indoor environment. Even a "walk-out" basement can have high levels of radon.
How do you protect your health from radon? The EPA and the US Surgeon General recommend every home and building be tested. It's easy to test and lives can be saved.
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