the last
untold story
On February of 1987 my uncle, Phillip Becker, passed away from lung cancer. He had never smoked a day in his life. In his prime his life was cut short, at the age of 36, by a silent killer – radon.
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It was 2013 when I began a position with an industrial hygiene firm that I first learned of radon. What it is, where it can be found, and most importantly the health effects it can have. In short order it became my mission to have all my family members test their homes, especially as many were former smokers, and we know that compounds the effects of radon.
The home that became of greatest interest to me was that of my paternal grandparents. My grandfather built this home in the mid-1950’s. It was in this home that my uncles and father were raised. It was in this home where all family events and holidays were celebrated. And it was in this home that my family likely experienced their greatest exposure to radon gas.
The home appears benign from out outside, yet the result of the short-term test yielded a result far above the EPA Action Level of 4.0 pCi/L. Four of the five members of the family that lived in this home have passed away from lung cancer. Three of the four were smokers or former smokers, and the fourth was my uncle Phil. My father is the only surviving member and his fate remains to be seen, but we are diligently monitoring his health.
To think of all the things Phillip may have accomplished in his life had they known and had they done something…
I’d like the moral of my family’s story to be this – test. Knowledge is power. Test now, test again in a few years, and repeat.
Rad o n
Sage Grouse
Sage Advice
Wise through reflection and experience. b archaic : grave, solemn.
2 : proceeding from or characterized by wisdom, prudence, and good judgment sage advice.
The home that became of greatest interest to me was that of my paternal grand- parents. My grandfather built this home in the mid-1950’s.
It was in this home that my uncles and father were raised. It was in this home where all family events and holidays were celebrated. And it was in this home that my family likely experienced their greatest exposure to radon gas.
The home appears benign from out outside, yet the result of the short-term test yielded a result far above the EPA Action Level of 4.0 pCi/L. Four of the five members of the family that lived in this home have passed away from lung cancer. Three of the four were smokers or former smokers, and the fourth was my uncle Phil. My father is the only surviving member and his fate remains to be seen, but we are diligently monitoring his health.
To think of all the things Phillip may have accomplished in his life had they known and had they done something…
I’d like the moral of my family’s story to be this – test. Knowledge is power. Test now, test again in a few years, and repeat.
The home appears benign from out outside, yet the result of the short-term test yielded a result far above the EPA Action Level of 4.0 pCi/L. Four of the five members of the family that lived in this home have passed away from lung cancer. Three of the four were smokers or former smokers, and the fourth was my uncle Phil. My father is the only surviving member and his fate remains to be seen, but we are diligently monitoring his health.
To think of all the things Phillip may have accomplished in his life had they known and had they done something…
I’d like the moral of my family’s story to be this – test. Knowledge is power. Test now, test again in a few years, and repeat.
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test now ... test again ...
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