2005 Year in Review

Surgeon General Issues Radon Warning

“Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country,” said U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona in a January 13 press statement. “It is important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques.”

Radon is a radioactive gas that you can’t see, taste or smell. Radon gas can enter the home through openings in the house around pipes and where floors and walls join. Radon also enters through the crawl space or cracks in the basement or slab foundation.

Most homes have some radon in the air, and that’s why it’s important to test. The winter months are the best time to test for radon. Radon test kits are easy to use and can be purchased at hardware stores or other retail outlets. Some public health departments may even have kits available.

A home should be tested for radon every two to three years because the house can settle and form new cracks in the foundation. These changes can affect the amount of radon entering your home.

For more information about radon, contact your local University of Illinois Extension office. Or, download our Radon Fact Sheet at Fact Sheet

by  Editor, theCity1.com
February 4, 2005