Today, April 13th, 2020, the number of Covid-19 deaths in the USA has reached 22,106. It is such a tragedy to have this much loss of life, and even more tragic to know that this number will continue to climb. We are all grieving over the devastating and ever-changing news surrounding this pandemic. There is no cure for this novel virus at this moment in time, and there is little that we can do to protect ourselves aside from social distancing, handwashing, and wearing masks. As a nation we are collectively working together in order to “flatten the curve” and find a cure for this virus. These are unprecedented times and we are all living with a lot of unknowns and uncertainty about what is to come. One thing I am certain of is that we are all hoping for some relief to come soon, in both the number of lives lost and in the financial hardships that this is causing so many of us to experience.
As a company, Radon Detection & Control has made it our mission to save people’s lives. We care deeply about what we do, and we have worked tirelessly to create awareness regarding the hazards associated with elevated levels of radon exposure. Radon Detection & Control has been testing for and removing radon from homes for 34 years now, and we are passionate about all that we do. We would be remiss if we did not take this moment to point out there are 22,000 deaths every year in the United States due to radon exposure according to the CDC, World Health Organization, HHS.gov, and the U.S. Surgeon General (the same agencies giving statistics for Covid-19). This loss of life due to radon exposure is
exposure is equally as devastating as those lives lost due to Covid-19. The good news is that there is something we can do about these radon related deaths. We can reduce the number of deaths through testing, mitigation and legislation. We are actively working with legislators to pass legislation that requires testing for radon in all structures where people gather. It is our hope that soon nobody is exposed to radon levels over the EPA guidelines of 3.9 pCi/L in any building.
Much like Covid-19, radon attacks the lungs. Though this requires radon exposure over a long period of time, it is nonetheless crushing. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the EPA and the American Lung Association. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, with smoking being the first. If you smoke and you are exposed to elevated radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Lung cancer kills thousands of Americans every year. Some studies have suggested that radon exposure may be linked to other types of cancer as well, such as childhood leukemia. But the links are not as well established as it is for lung cancer due to lack of studies. Although lung cancer can be treated, the survival rate is one of the lowest of all cancers. In many cases lung cancer can be prevented. Unlike Covid-19, there are things that we can do to protect ourselves. If you had a test for Covid-19, wouldn’t you be eager to use it? If you could provide yourself and your family with a cure for this virus, wouldn’t you take it? We hope that while you’re at home social distancing, that you’ll take a moment to test your home for radon. If you find that you have elevated levels in your home, there are ways of reducing those levels to the EPA standards through mitigation.
Radon is a chemically inert gas that is odorless, colorless, tasteless, andinvisible.Unless you test for it, there is no way of knowing whether you have elevated levels of radon. That is why it is so important for people to test their homes. Radon is known to exist all over this country and levels can vary greatly from building to building based on a variety of factors, including ventilation, building structure, and weather. Any home can have elevated levels of radon, even if the next-door neighbor does not have any issues. Old homes, new homes, homes with basements, and homes without can have radon problems.If a person is exposed to radon for a long period of time this can lead to lung cancer. Radon gas breaks down into tiny radioactive elements that can lodge in the lining of the lungs, giving off radiation, which can damage lung cells. Radon testing can save you and your family’s life. You can get an affordable kit from a hardware store, or you can order one from a variety of reputable places such as The American Lung Association.
If you find that you have high radon levels, act now. Finding out that you have high radon levels can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. You can take steps to make your home safer. Contact your state radon office to get the name of a local expert that will be able to advise you on what to do next. Often the problem can be fixed with simple low-cost solutions. For bigger radon issues you will need a mitigation specialist to resolve the issue. Mitigation contractors can help you resolve your issues in a variety of ways. They can seal cracks where radon might be getting in, place a barrier on exposed dirt,and they can also install special pipes and a fan that will suck radon from underneath your home and ventilate it outdoors. If there are any crawl spaces, they are encapsulated with a plastic membrane and fastened to the adjacent walls with a sealant. Radon in your home can be a serious health risk but it is a problem that can be fixed. If you haven’t taken the steps to test your home, do so today.
Radon and Covid-19, Similarities & Differences
equally as devastating as those lives lost due to Covid-19. The good news is that there is something we can do about these radon related deaths. We can reduce the number of deaths through testing, mitigation and legislation. We are actively working with legislators to pass legislation that requires testing for radon in all structures where people gather. It is our hope that soon nobody is exposed to radon levels over the EPA guidelines of 3.9 pCi/L in any building.
Much like Covid-19, radon attacks the lungs. Though this requires radon exposure over a long period of time, it is nonetheless crushing. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the EPA and the American Lung Association. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, with smoking being the first. If you smoke and you are exposed to elevated radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Lung cancer kills thousands of Americans every year. Some studies have suggested that radon exposure may be linked to other types of cancer as well, such as childhood leukemia.
By: Faith Veon
April 20, 2020
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