Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is invisible, odorless and tasteless gas. Radon is released harmlessly from the ground into outdoor air, but it can accumulate and reach harmful levels when trapped in homes and buildings. Scientists have long been concerned about the health risks of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming proof that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Since radon does not have an odor and is invisible, people tend to downplay the health effects and ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer within the walls of their home.
Some homes in this county have tested high for radon. Houses in the same neighborhood can have very different levels, so every home should be tested.
Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test kits can be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores, directly from radon testing companies.
However, the N.C. Radon Program is making kits available for free while supplies last during January.
Your free kit can be picked up at the Cooperative Extension Office.
Should your home be found to have elevated levels of radon, the problem can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost similar to that of many other home repairs.
In our area, the cost can be from $800 to $2,500 depending on the home.
The N.C. Radon Program urges residents to take action during this year’s National Radon Action Month by testing their homes for radon.
Radon poses a serious threat to our community’s health, but there is a straightforward solution.
For more information on radon and to receive a free radon test kit, contact the Cooperative Extension office at 318-6000 or visit the N.C. Radon Program’s Web site at www.ncradon.org.
Carolyn Langley is the county extension director for the Randolph County Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Asheboro. She can be reached at (336) 318-6000 or by e-mail at carolyn_langley@ncsu.edu.
