Date Published: 01/27/2020 [Source]
This National Radon Action Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages Americans across the country to test their homes for radon, the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Make 2020 a healthier, safer new year by testing the home.
"Radon exposure is one of the most important public health issues affecting Americans today," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Nearly 21,000 people die each year from lunch cancer caused by exposure to radon. Each January, EPA recognizes National Radon Action Month by spreading awareness of prevention and mitigation methods that will save lives. I encourage everyone to take time this January to test and prevent radon exposure in their home."
EPA's radon program began more than 30 years ago as the scientific and public health community to understand the risks associated with indoor radon exposure. Since then, elevated radon levels have been fixed in about 2 million homes in the United States, and millions more have been tested. In many states, radon testing has become a standard part of real estate transactions. However, the EPA estimates that about 7 million high-radon homes remain across the United States.
Testing is the only way to know if a home has an elevated level of radon. Homeowners can also hire a qualified radon professional to test the home. The EPA and the U.S. surgeon general recommend taking action to fix the home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter of air or more.
Taking action to reduce exposure to radon is a long-term investment in families' health and the home. The cost of reducing radon in the home depends on how the home was built and the extent of the radon problem. Most homes, however, can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs.