Radon, A Silent Threat

In 1984, an engineer walked into a nuclear power plant under construction and set off radiation alarms.  But there was no nuclear material yet on site. Where was the radiation coming from? Testing revealed the man was carrying it, on his clothes.  Where did he become so contaminated? Turns out, at home. Scientists visited his house and found levels of radon gas 600 times higher than normal – the highest level ever measured inside a building. They immediately moved the man and his family out. Then began testing ways to mitigate the gas. Radon starts as uranium, which decays to become other elements and eventually radon -- the only element in that chain that occurs naturally as a gas. It’s odorless, colorless…and common, in small quantities, in air, water, and soil -- especially above bedrock that contains trace amounts of uranium. But there, it can leach into basements where it concentrates and becomes a health hazard. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers – and is even more dangerous to smokers. A quick Google search can tell you if your area is prone to indoor radon accumulation.  If so, buy a do-it-yourself testing kit. If you find high levels, hire a professional.  They may recommend sealing all cracks in basement floors and walls, or ventilating under the foundation. With some simple precautions, you’ll be much safer.