Basements and the hidden danger of Radon

More and more people are turning towards finished basements especially now with the slow housing market. It’s a very cost effective way to take advantage of the extra space in your home. However there are some precautions you need to take when finishing a basement. Number one is Check for RADON. You cannot see, smell or taste it, but it could be lurking in your home.Most people don’t think at all about the danger of radon in their home. Radon is a radioactive cancer-causing gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Surgeon General’s office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If your home has high radon levels, you’re at risk for developing lung cancer. There are scientific studies of radon exposure that indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. Do you really want to expose your family or your children to this toxic hazard? You shouldn’t, it’s not worth the risk.

Testing is the only real way to know if your home has a radon problem. There are many different test kits that can be purchased online. If your homes radon levels are high there are many ways that you can fix it yourself fairly inexpensively. Here are some of the recommended test kits:

First Alert RD1 Radon Gas Test Kit
by First Alert

Professional Radon Gas Dual Canister Test Kit
by Accustar Lab

You can also purchase a radon gas detector
Safety Siren Pro Series 3 Radon Gas Detector # HS71512
by Pro Series

RADON CAN GET IN THROUGH:
Cracks in concrete floors
Crawl spaces cracks in walls
Sumpump opening gaps around service pipes
Cavities inside walls
Even the water supply

Radon is a national and global problem. The EPA estimates it in millions of home nationwide. Elevated radon level have been discovered in every state in the US. Check your state and see the results.

For more information visit the EPA or the following links 

EPA Radon Publications for Homeowners:

Consumers guide to radon

A citizens guide to radon

Health Risks

Is radon where you live

Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/