Residents of Puerto Rico Reminded of Indoor Exposure Risks during National Radon Action Month

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, several areas in Puerto Rico have the geologic potential to generate locally high indoor radon levels if housing conditions are favorable for the entry and accumulation of radon.
 
Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas that has been found in homes and buildings all over the United States and in many places across the Caribbean. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air people breathe. Radon can even enter a building through well water.  
 
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (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. The U.S. Surgeon General has even 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.
 
People cannot see, smell or taste radon, so the only way to know if it is present is to have the indoor environment tested. Both the EPA and the Surgeon General have recommended that all homes below the third floor be tested for radon. 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.
 
“The EPA has designated January as National Radon Action Month to help raise awareness of this invisible cancer threat,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental.  “At Zimmetry, we offer radon testing in residential, commercial and institutional properties so that people can take action if it is found in their home, school or place of business.”
 
Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about radon that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/6lLTb7qIlqY  
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their radon, indoor air quality, environmental and compliance consulting 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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