The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon causes over 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the United States. That’s more than the number of deaths caused by car accidents, making radon the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
If you are a smoker and you are exposed to high levels of radon, your risk of lung cancer is even higher. Your risk of lung cancer from smoking and radon exposure is greater than your risk from smoking alone.
Radon can be found all over the United States. It occurs naturally in the environment and can be found in any type of home, including new homes.
You can’t see or smell radon, so the only way to know if you are being exposed to it is to test for it. Radon testing in Thornton and elsewhere is affordable and hassle-free, and it’s the only way to know if you and your family are at risk.
Here are 10 reasons why it’s important to test your home for radon:
1. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
As mentioned above, the EPA estimates that radon causes over 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the United States. If you are a non-smoker, your risk of developing lung cancer from radon exposure is greater than your risk from smoking alone.
2. Radon is a naturally occurring gas.
Radon is found naturally in the environment and can be found in any type of home, including new homes. Because it’s gas, it can easily enter your home through cracks and openings in the foundation.
3. You can’t see or smell radon.
Since radon is a gas, you can’t see it or smell it. The only way to know if you are being exposed to radon is to test for it. You can’t rely on your senses to tell you if there’s radon in your home.
4. Radon testing is easy and inexpensive.
Radon testing is quick and easy, and it doesn’t require any special equipment. You can buy a do-it-yourself test kit at your local hardware store or home center, or you can hire a professional to test your home for radon.
5. Radon levels can vary from day to day.
Radon levels can fluctuate over time, so it’s important to test your home at least once a year. If you find that your home has high levels of radon, you may need to test more frequently.
6. Radon levels can vary from home to home.
Even if your neighbor’s home has low levels of radon, that doesn’t mean your home does, too. The only way to know for sure is to test your own home.
7. You can take steps to reduce radon levels in your home.
If you find that your home has high levels of radon, there are steps you can take to reduce the levels of radon in your home. These steps include sealing cracks and openings in your foundation and installing a vent pipe to release radon gas from beneath your home.
8. Everyone is at risk for radon exposure.
Radon exposure is a risk for everyone, not just smokers. If you are exposed to high levels of radon, your risk of lung cancer is increased, regardless of whether you smoke or not. You can’t control your radon exposure, but you can control whether or not you are exposed by testing your home for radon.
9. Radon exposure is cumulative.
The longer you are exposed to radon, the greater your risk of developing lung cancer. That’s why it’s important to test your home for radon and take steps to reduce your exposure if you find that your home has high levels of radon.
You can’t afford not to test for radon.
Lung cancer is a deadly disease, and radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Testing your home for radon is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk. Don’t wait – test your home for radon today.
These are just a few of the many reasons why it’s important to test your home for radon. Radon exposure is a serious health risk, and it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your family from this deadly gas. By testing your home for radon, you can find out if you’re at risk and take appropriate action to reduce the levels of radon in your home.