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| Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can't see radon. And you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Radon can be found all over the U.S. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building - homes, offices, and schools - and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home. That's where you spend most of your time. Approximately 65% of homes in the Spokane area test above the EPA’s recommended/action level of 4pCi/L. You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes. IHI tests to EPA protocol using continuous radon monitors. You can fix a radon problem. There are simple ways to fix a radon problem that aren't too costly. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Most radon unit systems cost between $800-$1200 to install in existing homes. Converting a passive system to an active system by installing a fan costs about $250. New Homes can be built with radon-resistant features. Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry. When installed properly and completely, these simple and inexpensive techniques can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes. In addition, installing them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive to reduce radon levels further if these passive techniques don't reduce radon levels to below 4pCi/L. Every new home should be tested after occupancy, even if it was built radon-resistant. Spokane county codes require home built after mid 1992 have at least apassive radon mitigation system installed. For more information call IHI @ 509-534-6398 |
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