Radon is a deadly gas that may be lurking in your home. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking — the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. Each year approximately 21,000 deaths occur in the U.S. because of radon.
January is National Radon Action Month and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension urges homeowners to take action and test their homes. Delaying testing can cause you and your loved ones to continue to breathe dangerous levels of radon.
Radon is invisible, tasteless and odorless, and the effects of exposure to radon take a long time to detect. Because of this, radon is often overlooked. Breathing high levels of radon over time can cause lung cancer.
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the decay of uranium found in most rocks and soil. It enters your home through cracks in the foundation, the exposed soil in basements and crawlspaces, and well water. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about one in 15 homes in the U.S. has a high radon level (over 4.0 picocuries, units of radioactivity, per liter).
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