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Protect your family
against Radon...
the silent killer.
We all want to protect ourselves and our
families. So we keep smoke detectors and
first-aid kits in our homes to arm ourselves
against disasters.
But there's another hazard that's impossi-
ble to see, smell, or touch. Vet it can be found
in millions of homes all across America,
including your area. It's called Radon.
Radon is a deadly, naturally occurring
radioactive gas that causes lung cancer.
Radon can be so deadly that the Environ-
mental Protection Agency and the Surgeon
General have strongly recommended that all
homes be tested for Radon, except residences
above the second floor in multi-level
buildings.
Once in your home, Radon can apcumu-
late to dangerously high levels. In fact, Radon
is the second leading cause of lung cancer in
the United States—after cigarette smoking.
As you breathe it in, its decay products
become trapped inside your lungs. As these
products continue to decay, they release small
bursts of energy which can damage lung
tissue and lead to lung cancer. It's like
exposing your family to hundreds of chest
X-rays each year.
However, Radon is easy and inexpensive
to detect—and, more importantly, homes
with high levels can be fixed.
The risks... how great are they?
Vbur family's risk of developing lung cancer
from Radon depends on the average annual
level of Radon in your home, and the amount
of time they're exposed to it. Obviously, the
longer your exposure, or the higher the level
of Radon in your home, the greater the risk.
And that's why it is so important that your
home be tested, immediately.
Hopefully, your home won't have a
problem. Testing is simple and inexpensive.
And the risk involved if you don't test isgrea
So the sooner you test your home, the soone
you can take appropriate action.
Testing...
short-term vs. long-term.
Radon invades your home from the sur-
rounding soil. In some cases, well water can
be a source of Radon.
Once inside, Radon is completely
invisible to sight, smell or taste. That's why
special detection kits are necessary.
Short-term testing (a few days to several
months) is the quickest way to determine if
potential problem exists. •
Charcoal canisters, electret ion detector:
and alpha track detectors are currently the
most common short-term testing devices.
Short-term testing should be conducted in
the lowest livable area of your home, with th
doors and windows shut, during the cooler
months of the year.
Long-term testing (up to one year) is the
most accurate way to test for Radon. Alph.
track detectors and electret ion detectors ar
the most common long-term testing device;
Both short-term and long-term testing
devices are easy to use and relatively
inexpensive.
Having Radon in your home is Hi
exposing your family to hundreds of chest x-rays yeari
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RADON RISK EVmJAITON CHART
Annual If a community of 100 - This risk of dying
Radon level people were exposed from lung cancer
». to this level: : compares to:
100 pCi/L
40pCi/L
20 pCi/L
10 pCi/L
4 pCi/L
2pCi/L
About 35 people in the community
may die from Radon. •
About 17 people in the community
may die from Radon.
About 9 people in the cofnmunity
may die from Radon.
About 5 people in the community
may die from Radon.
About 2 people in the community
may die from Radon.
About 1 person in the co'mmunity
may die from Radon.
Having 2000 chest
x-rays each year
Smoking 2 packs
of cigarettes
each day
Smoking 1 pack
of cigarettes
each day
Having 500 chest
x-rays each year
Smoking half a
pack of cigarettes
each day
Having 100 chest
x-rays each year
Levels as high as 3500 pCi/L have been found in some homes.
The average Radon, level outdoors is around .2 pCi/L or less.
The risks shown in this chart are for the general population, including men and women of all ages as
well as smokers and non-smokers. Children may be at higher risk.
Radon kits...
inexpensive and readily available.
Both long- and short-term kits can be pur-
chased for about $20, through the mail or
from your local grocery or hardware store or
other retail outlets. After you've completed
testing, you simply return the kit to the manu-
facturer for analysis. The analysis is usually
included in the price of the kit. Or, you can
hire a company to test your home for you.
The EPA conducts the Radon Measure-
ment Proficiency (RMP) Program to evaluate
companies that make and analyze test kits.
Therefore, to ensure that you get accurate
results, look for a test kit from a company that
has successfully completed the EPA profi-
ciency program. Most companies indicate
approval on the test kit box. State Radon
Offices also have a list of all Radon measure-
ment companies that are State or EPA
approved.
Need more information?
Most test kits will have further information
on testing, and if your house does need
corrective action, you'll find additional infor-
mation with your test results.
If youU like further information about
Radon or a variety of related subjects, just call
your State Radon Office at the number to
your right:
oinci
&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Washington DC 20460
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For further information about
Radon and testing, contact
the Radon Office in your state.
Alabama
(205)261-5315
Alaska
(907)465-3019
Arizona
(602) 255-4845
Arkansas
(501)661-2301
California
(415)540-2134
Colorado
(303)331-4812
Connecticut
(203)566-3122
Delaware
(800)554-4636
District of Columbia
(202)727-7728
FloKda
(800)543-8279
Georgia
(404)894-6644
Hawaii
(808)548-4383
Idaho
(208)334-5933
Illinois
(217)786-6384
Indiana
(800)272-9723
Iowa
(515)281-7781
Kansas
(913)296-1560
Kentucky
(502)564-3700
Louisiana
(504)925-4518
Maine
(207)289-3826
Maryland
(800)872-3666
Massachusetts
(413)586-7525
or in Boston
(617)727-6214
Michigan
(517)335-8190
Minnesota
(612)623-5341
Mississippi
(601)354-6657
Missouri
(800)669-7236
Montana
(406)444-3671
Nebraska
(402)471-2168
Nevada
(702)885-5394
New Hampshire
(603)271-4674
New Jersey
(800)648-0394
New Mexico
(505)827-2940
New York
(800)458-1158
North Carolina
(919)733-4283
North Dakota
(701) 224-2348
Ohio
(800)523-4439
Oklahoma
(405)271-5221
Oregon
(503)229-5797
Pennsylvania
(800) 23-RADON
Puerto Rico
(809)767-3563
Rhode Island
(401)277-2438
South Carolina
(803)734-4631
South Dakota
(605)773-3153
Tennessee
(615)741-4634
Texas
(512)835-7000
Utah
(801)538-6734
Vermont
(802)828-2886
Virginia
(800)468-0138
Virgin Islands
(809)774-3320
Washington
(800)323-9727
West Virginia
(304)348-3526
Wisconsin
(608)273-5180
Wyoming
(307)777-7956
8 most commonly asked
questions about Radon.
Q. Where does Radon come from?
A.i Radon is a naturally occurring gas that
copies from breakdown of uranium com-
monly found in the soil.
Q. How does it enter my home?
A. Radon comes up through the soil and
rocks surrounding your house. Then it can
seep through dirt floors, cracks in concrete
walls and floors, floor drains, sump pumps,
joints, and hollow-block walls.
Q. Why haven't I heard of the Radon
danger until recently?
A.1 Radon has always existed. However, it
wasn't until 1985 that dangerous Radon levels
were found inside homes across the U.S.
Q. What are the health risks?
A. Radon can cause lung cancer. It is the
second leading cause of lung cancer.
Q. How do I know if I have Radon in my
House?
A. By testing with an easy-to-use, inexpen-
sive detection kit, as soon as possible.
Q. If I have a Radon problem, can it be
corrected?
A. \es, homes with Radon can be readily
fixed by homeowners or contractors. State
Radon offices can recommend qualified
contractors.
Q. Will my neighbors' Radon measurement
indicate whether or not I have a Radon
problem?
A. No. Radon levels vary from house to
house. The only way to know if you have a
problem is to test.
Q. How can I get a reliable Radon detection
kit?
A. Kits can be purchased for about $20
through the mail or from your local grocery
or hardware store or other retail outlets. Look
for a test kit from a company that is State or
EPA approved.
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