RADON… WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Most people don’t know what Radon is. Yet, it is everywhere and It is the second leading cause of lung cancer! There is a lot of information on the internet. But this article will sum up a lot of what you need to know. Read on for a quick definition and some facts. Then I will tell you how I saved a life, kind of!

WHAT IS RADON?

• • Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas formed from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water.

• • Radon is naturally occurring and can be found in all parts of the world.

• • It is harmless outdoors but can be dangerous when it accumulates indoors.

HOW HARMFUL IS RADON IN YOUR HOME?

• • Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

• • It causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, with 2,900 of those deaths occurring in non-smokers. (Source: US EPA)

• • Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates.

• • Long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for smokers.

WHY DID I START CARING ABOUT RADON?

One day, I received a brochure in the mail from the federal government about Radon. Normally, I would have ignored it, but this time I decided to read the informational brochure. I did some research and was shocked to learn it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. My Dad died of lung cancer when he was 60. He did smoke a lot until he was 47. My Mom never smoked a day in her life and died at 72 of Lung/kidney cancer. After reading this about Radon I always wondered what the Radon level was in the home I grew up in? In my new home, I took steps to protect my family. I wanted to make sure my family were not exposed to Radon levels that cause cancer. I bought a radon tester and found my levels were safe. I knew my family was safe. But I wanted to make sure all my friends and family knew about Radon. I wanted them to be safe too.

KEY LEVELS!

To find out the Radon level in your home you will need to test. After testing, take action if radon levels exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or 148 Bq/m³. Follow EPA recommendations.

HOW I SAVED A LIFE, KIND OF!

Now that I knew how dangerous radon was, I wanted to have my family test too. I started with my oldest sister. I called her to explain what I discovered, and I was going to bring her a radon tester I purchased. At first, she was skeptical, but I insisted. I set up the radon tester. After two days, she called me back, saying, “This thing must be broken—it’s saying 800!”. To confirm we were getting precise readings I went back to my sisters and reset the radon tester.

It’s important to let the radon tester run for at least a couple of months. We left the tester at my sister’s house for a few months. The readings remained elevated in the 700-800 Bq/m³ range. This was 5 times the acceptable level! If left unaddressed, her family would have been at greater risk for lung cancer. Now aware of the dangers of radon and the high levels in her home, she hired a remediation company. They successfully brought the radon levels down to near zero.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NEXT, KEY TAKEAWAYS

The good news is, it’s never too late to test your home, and it’s inexpensive to do so. You can buy a radon kit or a tester to check your radon levels. Better to know than not know because it can cause cancer in smokers, non-smokers, young and old. It’s the long-term effects that can cause cancer. If you test and the levels are high, you can remediate to get down to a safe level. Please send this article to your family and friends to make them aware of Radon. They should know about the possible risks. You never know, you may save a life too!

ESTIMATED COSTS AND WHERE TO BUY RADON TESTERS

The cost of radon kits or testers range from approximately $40 to $500. I bought the basic “Airthings” radon tester about 5 years ago for about $200 and it still works today. Airthings was one of the first companies to have Radon testers and is highly rated on Amazon.

Airthings sells basic testers for Radon along with enhanced ones testing air quality, humidity and more. The enhanced ones have an app that will give you readings and alerts on your phone. At the very least I would get a test kit for $40 just to put your mind at ease. The only downside to the test kits is you leave it in your basement for a few months. Then, you have to send it in for them to analyze and send you the results. It takes a while to know the Radon levels in your home. Still, it’s a good inexpensive option. Can you really put a price on how valuable your family and friends are to you?

On Amazon, there are many kinds of Radon testers to choose from. I have listed links below for the Airthings (the brand we used). Depending on your budget/needs you can buy the ones with extra features. They will constantly watch and alert you if levels become elevated. Due to seasonal changes, the levels can fluctuate throughout the year. If you can afford it, I would suggest getting a permanent tester. You can look at it once a month or have the app alert you.

Some people may dispute the finding of Radon and its effects, but it has been proven and is recognized by the WHO.  Either way do your Family and Friends a favor and share this blog post and check your house for Radon!   You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Assistance for people that qualify.  For those that don’t have the means to check their home or place where they live, here is a link to some possible assistance.  See Lungs Matter link below.

Lungs Matter: Radon Mitigation Support | Canadian Lung Association

AIRTHINGS Corentium Home , Radon Gas Detector, grey
https://amzn.to/3U7hMmI

AIRTHINGS Wave Plus Indoor Air Quality Monitor with Radon Detection
https://amzn.to/4eVupdi

Airthings Wave Radon – Smart Radon Detector with Humidity & Temperature
https://amzn.to/3UhpsDc

Airthings 2911 Wave Plus, Radon & Air Quality Monitor (CO2, VOC, Humid
https://amzn.to/4hbHr7I

Airthings Wave Radon – Smart Radon Detector with Humidity & Temperature
https://amzn.to/4dV80LR

AIRTHINGS Corentium, Radon Gas Detector & Kidde CO2 Alarm
https://amzn.to/40cFdiG

Just a heads-up: this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a little something from qualifying purchases—but don’t worry, it won’t cost you a penny extra. Think of it as Amazon’s way of buying me a coffee for introducing you to cool stuff. These funds help keep my website running and fuel my blog-writing adventures. I promise, I only share things I genuinely think are helpful for my family, friends, and anyone who loves discovering useful information. So, thanks for supporting my caffeine habit—I mean, my website! 😊

STAY TUNED FOR MY NEXT BLOG POST. UNTIL NEXT TIME, STAY SAFE EVERYONE! — CHRIS