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How Does Radon Get In?
Radon enters easily because it is so small. As an example, the
reason helium balloons get smaller after you buy them is because
helium molecules are smaller than the molecules that make up the
wall of the balloon. The helium passes right through. Radon is
exactly the same size as helium and can easily pass through cracks,
openings and most of the porous materials used to construct the
foundations and floors of our homes.
What Are The Health
Effects Of Radon?
Radon is second only to cigarette smoking as the leading cause of
lung cancer death. Both are preventable. Radon kills an estimated
21,000 people every year in the U.S. with the most susceptible being
children, (because their lungs are still developing) smokers,
(because of the doubling impact) and those that stay inside the
most.
Radon Testing
Remember that, aside from Certified
Laboratory Testing, I can offer electronic digital testing which
provides immediate results in only 48 hours!
Radon Is a Cancer-Causing, Radioactive Gas
You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem
in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase
your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General of
the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause
of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your
home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially
high.
You Should Test for Radon
Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon levels. EPA
and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes. You cannot
predict radon levels based on state, local, and neighborhood radon
measurements. Do not rely on radon test results taken in other homes
in the neighborhood to estimate the radon level in your home. Homes
which are next to each other can have very different radon levels.
Testing is the only way to find out what your home's radon level is.
MISSOURI
The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey have evaluated the radon
potential in the U.S. and have developed this map to assist
National, State, and local organizations to target their resources.
Homes with elevated levels of radon have been found in all three
zones. All homes should be tested regardless of geographic location.
Each zone designation reflects the average short-term radon
measurement that can be expected to be measured in a building
without the implementation of radon control methods. The radon zone
designation of the highest priority is Zone 1.
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Zone 1 |
Highest Potential (greater than 4 pCi/L) |
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Zone 2 |
Moderate Potential (from 2 to 4 pCi/L) |
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Zone 3 |
Low Potential (less than 2 pCi/L) |
KANSAS
The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey have evaluated the radon
potential in the U.S. and have developed this map to assist
National, State, and local organizations to target their resources.
Homes with elevated levels of radon have been found in all three
zones. All homes should be tested regardless of geographic location.
Each zone designation reflects the average short-term radon
measurement that can be expected to be measured in a building
without the implementation of radon control methods. The radon zone
designation of the highest priority is Zone 1.
No immediate
symptoms. Based on an
updated Assessment of Risk for Radon in Homes,
radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer
deaths each year in the United States. Smokers are at higher risk of
developing Radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health
effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung
cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure.
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