According to the Environmental Protection Agency , radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non‐smokers . Three groups are most at risk for radon‐induced lung cancer : children , people who regularly smoke and lung cancer survivors .
Radon levels in the air are measured in " picocuries per liter of air ," abbreviated as " pCi / L ." A radon level between 2 and 3.9 pCi / L is seen as a moderate risk , while 4 pCi / L or more is considered a high risk for lung cancer , according to NCDHHS .
The highest level found in Wake County was 257.8 pCi / L . The state recommends people in Wake County test air inside buildings and private well water .
Wake County , Franklin and Warren counties have a moderate risk for private well water .
Ethnic and racial minorities as well as those with lower incomes are disproportionately affected , as they are least likely to know about radon gas and its impacts and may not have the resources to mitigate elevated indoor radon levels , according to NCDHHS .
The department is also working to require public schools to test and mitigate for high levels of radon .
" There were tests that were conducted back in the early 90s of schools . In terms of actions , I know of many schools in North Carolina that are voluntarily addressing radon , whether they ' re installing radon mitigation systems , or building new schools with mitigation systems before they even know if a high level even exists ," said Philip Gibson , NC Radon Program Coordinator .
He noted there are no laws , rules or regulations requiring schools to take any action around radon .
For people buying a home , the state department of health and human services says sellers are not required to fix the problem .
“ It ’ s not a requirement to address it , but it ’ s a requirement to communicate about it ,” Gibson said .
If high levels of gas are found in your home or building , a certified radon professional can install a system to lower the radon levels .
NCDHHS listed radon as one of the top priorities in improving life expectancy in 2023 . The state is trying to reduce radon exposure through grant funds for homeowners . Starting January 1 , you can request a free radon test kit from the State Department of Health and Human Services . The department has 2,000 available , on a first‐come , first‐served basis .
Source : https :// www . wral . com / news / local / high‐levels‐dangerous‐radon‐gas‐detected‐triangledecember‐2024
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