Radon Action Month Reminds the Public to Test Homes for this Preventable Exposure Hazard

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated January as National Radon Action Month. Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. People cannot see, smell or taste radon. However, if it is present indoors at high levels, it can be a danger to building occupants.  

Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air in homes and buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can even enter a building through well water.

A home or building can trap radon inside. According to the EPA, nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Radon can be a problem in new or old properties and in buildings with or without basements.  

“For most people, the greatest risk of exposure occurs in the home because that is where they spend most of their time,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “When people breathe air containing high levels of radon over time, they could develop lung cancer and radon is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year in the United States alone.”  

The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. People who smoke and live in a home with high radon levels are at increased risk of developing lung cancer. Testing is the only way to know if radon is a risk in a particular home or building. Both the EPA and the Surgeon General have recommended that all homes below the third floor be tested.  

Radon test kits are also available to the public from EMSL Analytical and they have laboratories located across the United States and Canada. If testing indicates elevated levels of radon, there are radon reduction systems that can be installed to reduce indoor levels. New homes and buildings can even be constructed with radon-resistant features built right in.

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about radon that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/6lLTb7qIlqY.

To learn more about radon or other indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.EMSL.com or www.RadonTestingLab.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . The Radon Gas Test Kit that can be obtained at www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 8563032503

Contact via E-mail