Radon, as you know, is a silent killer present in our surroundings. Each year, it risks around 21, 000 people and locks them in the death trap. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is the one that lays down acceptable preventive measures to aware of the common public of this menace. The organization also wants more and more people to stay safe and understand what Radon is and how you can let your loved ones not be at stake in this cancer-causing natural gas.
So, to create mass awareness about the existence and harmful effects of Radon, January is stipulated as National Radon Action Month.
National Radon Action Month: January
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke and the number 2 cause of lung cancer for those who smoke. The gas occurs through the natural decomposition of the element uranium present beneath the ground. Upon decaying, the gas gradually seeps into the air, water, and rocks and keeps moving freely in our surroundings.
But, radon becomes a problem when it actually gets into our houses or commercial structures and gets trapped in enclosed spaces. This starts to contaminate your indoor air quality and causes more harm to both human and animal health. Radon gas is of a radioactive nature and can easily put you at risk if you are exposed to unacceptable levels. However, with a simple test, the levels of radon can be tested in your construction and you can accordingly take preventive steps. This will enable a homeowner to reduce the levels of radon in their house and develop liveable circumstances on the property.
Designating a month as National Radon Action Month makes it easy for homeowners to know better about a deadly threat. EPA also aims to educate the public on ways that can fix the issue without creating any further menace.
Therefore, ignorance is no excuse. Spread the word and let everyone around you be aware of the threats they are dealing with every day along with the options they have to make their home a safer place to live in.
Preventive Steps
- Consider purchasing radon-resistant properties when you are out to buy a new one.
- Testing is the ultimate step that you will have to take in order to secure your property.
- Radon detection is easy and also inexpensive. All you need is a radon detection test kit or an electronic radon monitor to alert you to the accurate radon levels present in a particular area.
- Once you are sure that the radon level is much higher than what it must be i.e. more than 4pCi/L, go for installing a radon mitigation system.
- Contact a professional for this task and let them effectively help you ventilate the gas outside your property.
And remember, January might be a Radon Action Month, but the risk remains all throughout the year. So, it is your responsibility to make your house free from this silent killer (radon gas) and get it under the acceptable limit. The standard levels of radon are under 4pCi/L worldwide and anything above this number is considered to be unsafe for both human as well as animal health.