Radon and Lung Cancer - What You Don't Know Can Hurt You When Buying a Home

">be fixed if there is a radon problem found. The
Radon is the number one cause of lung canceraverage cost of a radon fix for a home is about
among non-smokers in the United States. As a$1,200. Some home improvement stores sell
Certified Property Inspector and Radon tester, Iinexpensive test kits for about $35 (which includes
am seeing that most new home buyers arean EPA certified lab report). However, Consumer
unaware of the dangers of Radon. As a result ofReports recently found that those test kits were
this lack of information, most home buyers asnot very accurate. Therefore, if you want to do
well as current homeowners are not having theiryour own testing contact your state radon office
homes tested for Radon. In many cases, myfor a better quality inexpensive test kit.
clients have also been misinformed by real estateIf the homeowner or buyer/seller does not or
representatives or the media regarding both thecannot to do the Radon testing (some states
prevalence and lung cancer dangers of radon.require a professional complete the test during a
Radon testing if done by the homeowner, isreal estate transaction), visit the National
inexpensive, and takes only 48 hours.Environmental Health Association Radon
Here are some important facts about Radon thatCertification website at: radongas.org
homeowners and renters should know to protectradon_measurement_service.shtml This site has
the health of your family. According to theproperly certified radon testers as myself listed
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Radon isby the cities in your state.
the number one cause of lung cancer amongThe untimely deaths of Peter Jennings and Dana
non-smokers. Overall, radon is the second leadingReeve have raised public awareness about lung
cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Radon iscancer, especially among people who have never
responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deathssmoked. Smoking, radon, and secondhand smoke
every year. Visit cheec.uiowa.edu/misc/radon.htmlare the leading causes of lung cancer. Although
for more on a study by Dr. William Field onlung cancer can be treated, the survival rate is
radon-related lung cancer in women.one of the lowest for those with cancer. In many
Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gascases lung cancer can be prevented; this is
that you can't see, smell or taste. The type ofespecially true for radon.
construction, foundation or location does notEPA has designated January as National Radon
prevent a Radon problem. Its presence in a homeAction Month, a time when state radon programs
can pose a danger to a familys health. The onlyand other partners conduct special radon outreach
way to determine if a home has a Radonactivities and events across the country. The aim
problem is to have an EPA standardized testof National Radon Action Month is to increase the
done. This test can be completed by thepublic's awareness of radon, promote radon
homeowner or a certified professional.testing and mitigation, and advance the use of
The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommendradon-resistant new construction practices.
that all homes be tested for radon. All homes can