National Radon Action Month: Protecting Your Health & Your Home
Each January, National Radon Action Month emphasizes the critical importance of understanding and addressing radon exposure to protect health, prevent cancer, and save lives. This initiative raises awareness about the dangers of radon poisoning and provides actionable steps to reduce risks in homes and communities.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Since it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, radon poses a significant health risk when it accumulates indoors. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths annually.
Why National Radon Action Month Matters
Radon is present in all 50 states, and nearly 1 in 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels above the EPA’s action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). National Radon Action Month serves as a crucial reminder to test homes and mitigate radon exposure before it leads to severe health consequences.
Testing for radon is easy, inexpensive, and essential. The month-long campaign promotes education on how to do radon testing and encourages individuals to seek professional help for mitigation if high levels are detected.
Health Risks of Radon Exposure
Prolonged radon exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for smokers. Radon gas breaks down into radioactive particles that, when inhaled, can damage the lungs’ cells over time.
Even nonsmokers are at risk. Radon is responsible for about 2,900 lung cancer deaths annually among nonsmokers. The combination of smoking and radon exposure multiplies the risk, making mitigation critical for households with smokers. Unfortunately, symptoms of radon poisoning may not become evident until an individual has already developed lung cancer. Signs of either can include:
- Frequent coughing, especially if coughing produces bloody mucus
- Chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s essential to contact your primary care provider and ask whether lung cancer screening is right for you. This screening involves a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan.
How Radon Enters Homes
Radon gas seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, walls, and floors, as well as through construction joints and gaps around pipes. Buildings with basements or poorly ventilated lower levels are particularly vulnerable. Once inside, radon becomes trapped, causing levels to rise to dangerous concentrations.
What You Can Do During National Radon Action Month
National Radon Action Month encourages individuals and communities to take steps to minimize exposure to this carcinogen.
- Test Your Home for Radon
Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon levels. The EPA recommends starting with a short-term test, which takes just a few days and can be done with a DIY kit available at hardware stores or online. Professional testing is also an option for more precise results.
- Take Action if Radon Levels Are High
If radon levels are at or above 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends mitigation measures, such as installing a radon reduction system. These systems use ventilation to lower radon concentrations and prevent the gas from entering your home.
- Learn About Local Resources and Grants
Many states and local organizations provide resources, grants, or financial assistance for radon testing and mitigation. National Radon Action Month is an excellent time to explore these programs and take advantage of any available support.
- Enhance Awareness
Educating friends, family, and neighbors about the risks of radon and the importance of testing can have a ripple effect in protecting more households from exposure.
- Maintain Radon Safety Over Time
Even if your home tests low for radon, continue testing every few years or after major renovations, as changes in soil or structural shifts can alter radon levels.
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Radon Poisoning
Radon exposure is a serious but preventable health hazard. Understanding the risks of radon exposure and taking immediate action to prevent radon poisoning can be lifesaving. National Radon Action Month serves as a critical reminder to test for radon, take mitigation measures if necessary, and educate others about this invisible threat.
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms that could indicate lung cancer, or if you are uncertain, contact your primary care physician or reach out to Vail Health Shaw Cancer Center to request a lung cancer screening.
Through proactive testing and prevention, we can create healthier indoor environments and significantly reduce the risk of radon-related lung cancer for ourselves and our loved ones.