January is National Radon Action Month; EPA Urges Testing All Homes for Radon in 2011

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 31, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- "National Radon Action Month has been declared for January, 2011," according to Jeffery Finken of Accredited Radon Mitigation.  Government agencies are teaming up with environmental and health organizations throughout North America to promote this very worthwhile cause.  One in 15 homes across the U.S. has elevated radon levels. With as many as 21,000 deaths each year, radon exposure is second only to smoking in causing lung cancer deaths in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The only way to know whether radon exists in elevated levels in your home, and to protect your family from radon, is to test. EPA and National Safety Council are asking homeowners and renters to test their house for radon and learn how to protect families from radon gas.  Offices, schools, and government facilities should also be tested for this deadly carcinogen as well.  Penalties and fines to business owners arising from complaints of indoor air quality violations within the workplace are becoming more and more common with heightened awareness.

In 2009, the World Health Organization, the United Nations, the President's Cancer Panel, and the Health Physics Society have all called for stronger policies regarding radon risk reduction. Independent scientists from around the world have agreed that the threat is real and the WHO is calling for a reference level of 2.7 pCi/L of air for radon as compared to the US action level of 4.0.  "Based on this new standard, nearly twice as many homes and building that will require radon mitigation in the coming years," said Ross Aton, a radon mitigator who installs radon systems in Indiana and Kentucky.  "I don't mind though.  All the more work for us radon guys!" added Aton.

Amid these growing concerns about the health risks of long-term exposure to indoor radon; EPA has designated January as National Radon Action Month. During National Radon Action Month, The Environmental Protection Agency along with the US Surgeon General will ramp-up their efforts to educate the public about the dangers of radon and what can be done to minimize the health risk from long-term exposure. As part of their efforts, they will encourage the media and local health departments to help promote awareness of this national health problem.

"Radon is invisible and odorless, so one could live in a home with elevated levels for years without knowing it," said James Gelina, owner of Air Quality Control Agency Inc. (one of the larger radon remediation firms in the U.S.)  "January is a perfect time for these awareness activities.  Since homes are closed-up in the winter, it's an ideal time to assess indoor radon concentrations," added Gelina.

Help save lives in 2011 by participating in National Radon Action Month.  Learn more by visiting http://RadonMonth.WordPress.com or by calling 1-800-NO-RADON.

SOURCE Environmental Newswire