Is your home safe from Radon gas? Test it today!

Post Written by CHC member Maggie Sugrue 

Maggie serves at Respiratory Health Association as a Lung Educator

When individuals are asked about what causes Lung Cancer, common answers often include smoking and second hand smoke. While those are leading causes, rarely, radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer, is ever given as an answer. Most people have never heard of radon gas. That is one of the reasons I serve as a Lung Health Educator at Respiratory Health Association. I educate communities on the harmful effects of radon and promote the importance of testing their homes for this radioactive gas.

Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that is released by the decay of uranium, a naturally-occurring rock in our soil. When radon is released, it can seep through cracks in the foundation of our homes. Many homes have small levels of radon; however, any amount higher than 4pCi/L, a unit of radioactivity, is considered unsafe and requires action. It is important to test the radon level to know if your home is safe. Seasonal changes, renovation, and other factors make testing your home for radon every few years, if not more frequently, recommended.  This can be done by purchasing a radon test kit online or at a local hardware store. These kits are easy to use and inexpensive.

If your home does test in the unsafe range, it is possible to have the home professionally mitigated to bring the radon down to a safe level. Mitigation usually involves the installation of a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it outside of your home. For more information on radon, testing, and mitigation, visit http://www.lungchicago.org/radon/