Is Your Home Protected Against Radon?

While most homeowners are familiar with the dangers of carbon monoxide, many overlook radon. Like carbon monoxide, radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. And just like carbon monoxide, it cause poses some serious health risks when left unnoticed.

Radon Exposure and Cancer

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. The EPA estimates that roughly 21,000 Americans die each year from radon-related lung disease.

Because of its radioactive properties, radon increases the risk of cancer. Radon itself is a gas that occurs naturally when specific types of radioactive metals -- uranium, thorium, etc. -- degrade. As the metals break down, they release radioactive gas, which is radon. When you breathe in this gas, you'll exposure your lungs to radioactive particles that, over time, may lead to lung cancer or other serious lung diseases.

Test Your Home for Radon

Because it's a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, high radon levels often goes unnoticed by homeowners and their family members. The good news is that you check to see exactly how much radon is in your home using a testing kit. There are kits available that are designed to measure the amount of radon gas in your home. You'll typically tape a sample of your home's air, after which you can mail to a testing company. The company will then analyze the sample and provide you with the results.

Increase Airflow

A simple way to lower the amount of radon in your home is to increase airflow. If air remains stagnant, meaning your home has little or no circulation, radon may accumulate to potentially harmful and dangerous levels. By increasing airflow, on the other hand, radon and other toxic gases will disperse.

Inspect Foundation for Cracks

It may sound unusual, but inspecting your home's foundation for cracks can help to protect against radon. This is because radon often enters homes through cracks in the foundation. Even if it's a small hairline crack, it may allow substantial amounts of radon to enter your home. Therefore, you should consider filling and fixing any cracks in your home's foundation.

Don't Smoke 

Smoking doesn't necessarily cause or contribute to high radon levels. Nonetheless, if you smoke cigarettes, you'll have an even higher risk of developing lung cancer, especially if radon is a problem in your home.