| RADON IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES! |
Radon is the #1 Cause of Lung Cancer Among Non-Smokers...
The death of Dana Reeves (age 44), Christopher Reeves' wife several years ago raised public
awareness about radon risks and lung cancer, especially among people who have never smoked, like
Dana Reeves. Smoking, radon, and second hand smoke are the three leading causes of lung cancer -
IN THAT ORDER - so radon is a serious health hazard.
Radon mitigation (removal) can reduce high levels at a very reasonable cost. Costs vary from $800 to
$2,500. The EPA estimates that the average operating costs and energy losses for radon reduction are
$150/year. Each radon stack emits about 1 Curie per year of the heavy radioactive gas - more than
enough to eliminate dangerous levels within homes.
The death of Dana Reeves (age 44), Christopher Reeves' wife several years ago raised public
awareness about radon risks and lung cancer, especially among people who have never smoked, like
Dana Reeves. Smoking, radon, and second hand smoke are the three leading causes of lung cancer -
IN THAT ORDER - so radon is a serious health hazard.
Radon mitigation (removal) can reduce high levels at a very reasonable cost. Costs vary from $800 to
$2,500. The EPA estimates that the average operating costs and energy losses for radon reduction are
$150/year. Each radon stack emits about 1 Curie per year of the heavy radioactive gas - more than
enough to eliminate dangerous levels within homes.
HOME OWNER'S SAFETY ALERT !!!
Recent radon testing has revealed that in addition to potential radon exposure through
foundations or water, uranium in granite finishes is releasing radon as it breaks down
after installation in the home.
While the presence of radiation from granite has been known, and been found to emit
radon at low levels in the past, recent radon test findings are revealing higher levels.
“With increasing regularity in recent months, the Environmental Protection Agency has
been receiving calls from radon inspectors as well as from concerned homeowners
about granite countertops with radiation measurements several times above background
levels,” according to The New York Times.
While not all granite poses a problem, the recent test results are an important
development that should not be ignored by health conscious consumers. If you’ve got
granite in your home, you can reduce your risk of lung cancer from radon exposure by
testing your home’s radon level.
Visit the National Radon Safety Board (www.NRSB.org) to find a qualified and certified
Radon Measurement Specialist (RMS) near you. This will provide you with a licensed and
certified specialist, which will ensure proper testing procedures. Click on www.NRSB.org
link for immediate access. Then beside "Certification" select RMS for (Radon Specialist),
enter your "Zip" - that's all you need to enter. A listing of qualified, licensed, and certified
radon testing companies for your area will be shown.
Recent radon testing has revealed that in addition to potential radon exposure through
foundations or water, uranium in granite finishes is releasing radon as it breaks down
after installation in the home.
While the presence of radiation from granite has been known, and been found to emit
radon at low levels in the past, recent radon test findings are revealing higher levels.
“With increasing regularity in recent months, the Environmental Protection Agency has
been receiving calls from radon inspectors as well as from concerned homeowners
about granite countertops with radiation measurements several times above background
levels,” according to The New York Times.
While not all granite poses a problem, the recent test results are an important
development that should not be ignored by health conscious consumers. If you’ve got
granite in your home, you can reduce your risk of lung cancer from radon exposure by
testing your home’s radon level.
Visit the National Radon Safety Board (www.NRSB.org) to find a qualified and certified
Radon Measurement Specialist (RMS) near you. This will provide you with a licensed and
certified specialist, which will ensure proper testing procedures. Click on www.NRSB.org
link for immediate access. Then beside "Certification" select RMS for (Radon Specialist),
enter your "Zip" - that's all you need to enter. A listing of qualified, licensed, and certified
radon testing companies for your area will be shown.
Experts state:
“Radon is the most potent environmental carcinogen to which the general public is exposed.” [2000
Report on Carcinogens]
“Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.” [The Surgeon General]
“Radon causes more deaths than home fires, drownings, and airplane crashes combined.” [US EPA]
"Radon causes about 21,100 deaths in the U.S. each year.” [US EPA & The National Academy of
Sciences, 2003 estimate].
“Radon is the most potent environmental carcinogen to which the general public is exposed.” [2000
Report on Carcinogens]
“Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.” [The Surgeon General]
“Radon causes more deaths than home fires, drownings, and airplane crashes combined.” [US EPA]
"Radon causes about 21,100 deaths in the U.S. each year.” [US EPA & The National Academy of
Sciences, 2003 estimate].
Radon in Nature...
Radon gas is produced during the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium, common throughout the
Earth. They disintegrate into lighter radioactive elements like radium, polonium and lead. All are heavy
metals except for one — radon.
IT IS PREVALENT IN EVERY STATE! If you're about to spend several hundred thousand dollars on a
house or ground level condominium, the $95 fee to check for potentially lethal levels of radon just makes
sense.
The breathable air in a home in North Carolina with radon levels considered high by the EPA, is like
smoking 1+ carton (10 packs+) of cigarettes a day!!! A genuine reason to test any home, regardless of
location, for elevated radon levels.
Radon gas slowly oozes from the ground. Radon concentration is measured by the radioactivity it
produces (1 Curie is the radioactivity of 1 gram of radium). The average radon level in ambient air is 0.4
pCi/L (picoCuries per liter). Where there are heavy concentrations of rock and ledge - radon may be
readily present.
Radon in Homes...
Radon is the heaviest of all gases, eight times heavier than air. It accumulates in basements or on lower
floors and then, diffuses throughout the building.
The average radon level in US homes is 1.25 pCi/L. About 1 out of every 15 homes exceeds the "action
limit" of 4 pCi/L and nearly 1 out of 6 exceeds the 2 pCi/L "consider action limit".
Having even minimal elevated levels of radon in your home carries a mortality risk three times higher than
the risk of dying in a car crash - or the equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes a day. In fact, if you smoke
AND live in a home with elevated levels of radon in the air, your risk of contracting lung cancer can be as
high as 10 times greater than living in a home without elevated radon levels.
Radon is a Potent Carcinogen...
Radon gas decays into minute radioactive particles which float in the air we breathe. These
particles get trapped in the lungs where they undergo radioactive decay with a half life of 22
years. The radiation damages the DNA of adjacent cells and causes lung cancer.
The EPA recommends that if you are considering the purchase of a home, that you know what
radon levels currently exist in the house. Considering the long-term effects of high levels
radon exposure, not testing the house for radon levels in the air and well water is foolish and
not forward thinking.
Radon gas is produced during the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium, common throughout the
Earth. They disintegrate into lighter radioactive elements like radium, polonium and lead. All are heavy
metals except for one — radon.
IT IS PREVALENT IN EVERY STATE! If you're about to spend several hundred thousand dollars on a
house or ground level condominium, the $95 fee to check for potentially lethal levels of radon just makes
sense.
The breathable air in a home in North Carolina with radon levels considered high by the EPA, is like
smoking 1+ carton (10 packs+) of cigarettes a day!!! A genuine reason to test any home, regardless of
location, for elevated radon levels.
Radon gas slowly oozes from the ground. Radon concentration is measured by the radioactivity it
produces (1 Curie is the radioactivity of 1 gram of radium). The average radon level in ambient air is 0.4
pCi/L (picoCuries per liter). Where there are heavy concentrations of rock and ledge - radon may be
readily present.
Radon in Homes...
Radon is the heaviest of all gases, eight times heavier than air. It accumulates in basements or on lower
floors and then, diffuses throughout the building.
The average radon level in US homes is 1.25 pCi/L. About 1 out of every 15 homes exceeds the "action
limit" of 4 pCi/L and nearly 1 out of 6 exceeds the 2 pCi/L "consider action limit".
Having even minimal elevated levels of radon in your home carries a mortality risk three times higher than
the risk of dying in a car crash - or the equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes a day. In fact, if you smoke
AND live in a home with elevated levels of radon in the air, your risk of contracting lung cancer can be as
high as 10 times greater than living in a home without elevated radon levels.
Radon is a Potent Carcinogen...
Radon gas decays into minute radioactive particles which float in the air we breathe. These
particles get trapped in the lungs where they undergo radioactive decay with a half life of 22
years. The radiation damages the DNA of adjacent cells and causes lung cancer.
The EPA recommends that if you are considering the purchase of a home, that you know what
radon levels currently exist in the house. Considering the long-term effects of high levels
radon exposure, not testing the house for radon levels in the air and well water is foolish and
not forward thinking.
| RADON CONCERNS AND WHY YOU SHOULD TEST |
How widespread is the problem? Radon has been
found in homes in all 50 states. Some areas of the
state have higher levels than others - BUT - no
location is immune, regardless of location.
The only way to tell for sure is to have a home tested.
SEE HOME OWNER'S ALERT AT BOTTOM OF PAGE !!!
found in homes in all 50 states. Some areas of the
state have higher levels than others - BUT - no
location is immune, regardless of location.
The only way to tell for sure is to have a home tested.
SEE HOME OWNER'S ALERT AT BOTTOM OF PAGE !!!
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NC License #002751
SC License #RBI 2527
| Carolina Coast Home Inspections Group is licensed in both North and South Carolina so we can provide radon testing in both states! |