Identifying Radon Exposure Risks in Homes and Buildings in Puerto Rico as Part of National Radon Action Month

In Puerto Rico and across the rest of the United States, January is recognized as National Radon Action Month. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year.
 
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It gets into the indoor air people breathe as it makes its way up from the ground and accumulates in homes and buildings. In some instances, radon can even enter a structure through well water.
 
To help assess radon risks across the islands of Puerto Rico, EPA announced an innovative research project several years ago to increase radon monitoring capacity. The project is designed to advance community mapping of radon across the islands and will help to inform planning decisions, including the incorporation of radon-reducing features in building practices.
 
“Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that has been found in Puerto Rico and in many other places throughout the Caribbean,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In fact, EPA reports that United States Geological Survey (USGS) data suggest that some areas in Puerto Rico have the potential for high radon levels. It’s also important to note that indoor radon levels, both high and low, can be quite localized. Since people cannot see, smell or taste radon, testing is the only option.”
 
In Puerto Rico and across the region, Zimmetry Environmental has a licensed radon inspector that can test the indoor air or water from private wells for its presence. If an issue is discovered, there are mitigation techniques that can be implemented to prevent radon from accumulating and potentially posing a hazard for building occupants.
 
Several years ago, Zimmetry sponsored an educational video about National Radon Action Month that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/SAOP0zz6yjo
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their radon, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, occupational, and compliance consulting and testing services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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