You may have heard that the area that we live in has quite high levels of radon. But what is radon?
· Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste.
· Radon seeps into your home from underground, and can reach harmful levels if trapped indoors.
· Radon is the leading cause of cancer among non-smokers. It has an even more significant risk with smokers, since there is a synergistic effect between smoking and radon.
· The World Health Organization says that radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers worldwide.
· Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims more than 20,000 lives annually.
· The only way to know if your home contains high radon levels is to test for it.
· Qualified professionals can reduce radon levels in the home at a cost comparable to common home improvement repairs.
· Only 1 in 5 homeowners has actually tested their home for radon.
· Washington County is listed by the EPA as a "Zone 1 County", meaning that it has "a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L." (www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap/newyork.htm)
We at HouseCalls Home Inspection Services are ready to help you to be sure that you and your family are safe from this danger. Just let us know that you would like to include radon testing in your home inspection.
For more information about radon, visit: www.epa.gov/iaq/radon
Additionally, click here to read a pdf booklet published by the EPA just for home buyers and sellers!
