National Radon Action Month Reminds Residents to Test Homes, Schools and Buildings

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon. This is important as the EPA reports that although there are no immediate symptoms from exposure to radon, exposure in the indoor air over time is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States alone.

While many people are aware that radon is a radioactive gas and it can enter a home or building through the ground to the air above through cracks and other holes in the foundation, far fewer know that radon can sometimes enter a building through private well water. This is due to the fact that radon can dissolve into the water supply according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC states, “While most radon-related deaths are due to radon gas accumulated in houses from seepage through cracks in the foundation, 30 to 1,800 deaths per year are attributed to radon from household water. High levels of dissolved radon are found in the groundwater in some areas flowing through granite or granitic sand and gravel formations. If you live in an area with high radon in groundwater it can get into your private well. Showering, washing dishes and laundering can disturb the water and release radon gas into the air you breathe.” For radon in water issues, the CDC recommends removing it from private well water by either of the two following methods. They include:
 

• Aeration treatment – spraying water or mixing it with air and then venting the air from the water before use, or
• GAC treatment – filtering water through granular activated carbon. Radon attaches to the carbon and leaves the water free of radon.
  

“The good news is exposure to radon is a preventable health risk and testing for radon in air or water can help prevent unnecessary exposure,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “If a high radon level is detected, there are steps that can be taken to fix the problem. At EMSL we offer radon testing services and easy to use test kits to identify these exposure risks so steps can be implemented to safeguard the health of families and building occupants.”

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video specifically about radon in private well water that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/z-ZomIX4wTk.

To learn more about testing for radon or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ), occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com or www.RadonTestingLab.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 45 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail