The Environmental Protection Agency is asking homeowners to save a life by testing for radon, and fixing any problems they find. Radon is a radioactive gas, and exposure to it causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year—only smoking causes more. Because you can’t see, smell or taste radon, it’s important to periodically test the air in your home. Believing you live in a region not affected by radon is just one of the myths about this deadly gas. Here are ten more:
Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem. Though some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations agree that it causes thousand of preventable lung cancer death each year.
Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. On the contrary: Testing is easy and you can do it yourself or hire a qualified testing company.
Homes with radon problems can’t be fixed. There are simple solutions and thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems, for about the same cost as other common home repairs.
Radon only affects certain kinds of home. No, it can be a problem in all types.
Radon is a problem only in certain areas of the country. High radon levels have been found in every state.
A neighbor’s test result is a good indication of whether you have a problem. No. Radon levels vary greatly from home to home.
You should test your water for radon. Though radon gets into some homes through water, it is more important to test the air. If your water comes from a public water supply that uses ground water, call your water supplier. If radon levels are found in your home and you have a private well, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
It’s difficult to sell homes where radon problems have been discovered. Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have not been blocked or frustrated. The added protection is sometimes a strong selling point.
I’ve lived in my home so long that it doesn’t make sense to take action now. Even if you’ve lived with an elevated radon level for a long time, you reduce the risk when you reduce radon levels.
Short-term tests can’t be used for making a decision about whether to fix your home. Though a long-term test is more comprehensive, a short-term test can be used to deicde whether to reduce a home’s high radon levels.
For more information read the EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon.
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