Life-threatening dangers lurk near radon gas, EPA warns

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

As a killer, radon gas flies below the radar.

While cigarette smoking is by far the most-common cause of lung cancer in the United States, radon is the second-leading cause.

Scientists estimate that about 20,000 lung-cancer deaths per year in the nation are related to radon, according to the American Cancer Society.

To bring attention to the dangers of radon and to urge testing for the gas, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared January National Radon Action Month, and Gov. John Kasich issued a similar proclamation in Ohio.

According to the EPA, health agencies throughout the U.S. have joined forces to promote awareness of the leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers.

Further, the EPA said radon caused more American fatalities in 2014 than carbon monoxide, fires and handguns combined.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that enters buildings from the surrounding soil. Elevated levels of radon have been found in homes in every county in Ohio, said the Ohio Department of Health.

One in 15 American homes contains high levels of radon, leaving millions of American unknowingly exposed to the gas at potentially dangerous levels, according to the EPA.

Radon levels are usually highest in the basement or crawl space because this level is closest to the soil or rock that is the source of the radon. Therefore, people who spend much of their time in basement rooms at home or at work have a greater risk for being exposed, ACS officials said.

Outdoors, radon generally disperses and does not reach high levels.

In a recent study, Harvard University ranks radon as American’s leading in-home hazard.

The answer to avoiding the hazard, EPA officials say, is for home owners to test for radon and their homes, if necessary.

The American Lung Association, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute have declared radon a national health problem; and encourage radon testing during the January awareness drive.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.