Thursday, March 28, 2024

EPA encourages homeowners to conduct radon tests this winter

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urged Americans to test their homes for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, this week, as homes sealed against winter weather present ideal testing conditions and increased risk of exposure if radon is present.

Radon is a dangerous gas that triggers approximately 21,000 cases of fatal lung cancer each year, making it the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. The only way to determine whether or not a home has elevated levels of radon is testing, which can be done by homeowners with affordable test kits.

“Radon — a serious health threat to our families and communities — can be easily avoided through testing,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry said. “Testing for radon will save thousands of lives, prevent burdensome health-care costs, and make America’s homes and schools safer for future generations.”

The EPA recommends that homeowners take several steps this winter to ensure that they are not being exposed to the dangerous gas, including learning more about home testing, reviewing state and local governmental programs to combat the gas, encouraging their neighbors, friends and family to learn more about radon and, where possible, to buy homes that are radon-resistant.