This Common Household Chemical Is The Second Leading Cause Of Lung Cancer In America

Did you know your own home may be the biggest contributing factor toward lung cancer and related diseases? While the outside air can contain everything from simple bacteria to car exhaust, your house is not as clean as it may appear to be. Little elements from pollen to dust to mold can be easily trapped in your carpet and walls, creating an environment where you’re constantly breathing in harmful elements. Even more shocking is the issue of radon exposure, a colorless and odorless gas that is appearing in millions of American homes and causing short-term and long-term health issues across the country.

Where Is Radon Located?

Radon is a chemical located in countless American homes, potentially your own if you haven’t contacted a radon mitigation country for a test. The U.S. EPA has conducted ongoing studies to assess the widespread influence of this element, concluding that nearly one in three homes in seven states as well as three Indian lands have screening levels over the EPA’s recommended standard for exposure. A radon mitigation company can test the levels of exposure.

What Does Radon Cause?

Your home may look safe, but the reality remains that many harmful chemicals can enter your lungs every time you’re inside. Radon is known for significantly increasing an individual’s risk of lung cancer, causing short-term problems such as breathing difficulties and long-term issues such as tumor development. A family whose home has radon levels beyond the EPA’s recommended standard would face 35 times as much radiation if they were standing next to the fence of a radioactive waste site.

How Widespread Is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a prevalent health issue in the United States, caused by a variety of environmental, lifestyle and chemical factors. The Surgeon General, specifically, has issued warnings that radon is the second leading cause. The risk of lung cancer has been found to increase by 16% per 100 Bq/m increase in long time average radon concentration — likewise, scientists have estimated that lung cancer deaths could be reduced by 2% to 4% by reducing the EPA’s action level.

What Other Statistics Have Been Found?

The effects of radon cannot be understated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (shortened to EPA) and the Surgeon’s General Office have both estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused every single year by radon exposure. Even minor side-effects can have debilitating consequences on your quality of life.

How Can I Stay Safe?

A radon mitigation company can provide radon abatement services and local radon testing to determine the severity of radon exposure in your home or place of business. Short-term detectors can measure radon levels for as short as two days and as long as 90 days, depending on the device and services offered, while long-term tests can be done for over 90 days at a time. Passive systems of mitigation have been shown to be capable of reducing indoor radon exposure levels by an impressive 50%. Radon ventilation fans can increase this percentage even further. Contact your local radon mitigation company and see how they can’t help you lead a healthier lifestyle today.