Ways To Detect and Avoid Radon Exposure

May 7, 2014- Most people know smoking is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in the U.S., but many don’t realize that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon is an odorless gas that causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year. It's a bigger concern during cold winters, when radon levels sky rocket in well-sealed homes.

The odorless gas is caused by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and water and seeps into homes through drains and cracks in the foundation. While radon is natural in the air, levels can be harmful when it is trapped inside a house.

In the U.S., 1 in 15 homes have unsafe radon levels, according to the Environmental Protection Agency website. Radon is found throughout the U.S., and levels can vary greatly between homes, so it’s important to test your home. The EPA website has a state-by-state guide to finding contractors who fix radon problems and a handbook with ways to reduce radon, including sealing cracks in the foundation and installing extraction pipes.

Carnow Conibear is the only commercially licensed radon testing firm in Chicago. 

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Carnow Conibear and Associates is a demonstrated leader in the occupational and environmental health professions since 1975. To find out more, click here or call us at (800) 860-4486.