The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deemed January Radon Action Month, and it’s more important than ever to be aware of the risks of radon and what you can do to protect your loved ones from the dangers of radon exposure.
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas commonly found in Utah homes. Utah land has uranium in the soil, and when it decays, it turns into radon gas that rises into the air. While radon does not cause much damage in outdoor air, it can concentrate indoors and damage the DNA of your lung cells.
What happens if you’re exposed to radon?
Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Additionally, scientists are examining the link between radon exposure and attention issues and cancer in children. Roughly 21,000 people die annually from radon-induced lung cancer, so it’s critical to reduce exposure to large amounts of radon.
What can you do about radon?
Our senses can’t detect radon, and the only way to know if you have high radon in your home is to test for it. We offer a free radon test to every Utah home, and if your home tests high for radon, we can help answer questions about how to reduce it permanently. A radon mitigation system is a quick and efficient way to lower your home’s radon to a safer level (and may also increase your home’s value).
Radon is incredibly dangerous, but you can turn knowledge into action. Click here to request a free radon test. Radon levels are highest in the winter, but no matter when you read this article, there is no better time than now to test your home. As a reminder, you should test your home for radon every two years.
