Source Vol 4

The US Environmental Protection
Agency (US EPA) will be observing National Radon Action Week from
October 19 – 25, 1997. States and other health and consumer agencies
will be hosting various activities to educate the public about radon
and to encourage people to test their homes.

Radon is a naturally occurring
radioactive gas that gets into the air you breathe. Produced from
the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and
water, radon can be found all over the United States. It can get
into any type of building Ç homes, offices, and schools. But you
and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at
home. Houses trap radon inside, especially during cooler weather
when houses are closed up. Exposure to high levels of radon can
increase the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause
of lung cancer after smoking.

Because you can’t see, taste,
or smell radon, the only way to detect high radon levels is to conduct
a radon test in your home or school. Testing is easy and inexpensive,
and buildings with elevated levels can be fixed. One method of fixing
a radon problem is simply sealing cracks in floors and walls. Another
method is installing a pipe and fan system to remove radon gas before
it enters the building. Such systems are called “sub-slab depressurization,”
and do not require major changes to your home.

For general radon information:
National Safety Council (NSC) Radon Hotline
800/SOS-RADON (767-7236)
http://www.nsc.org/ehc/airqual.htm

For information and assistance on fixing radon in homes:
Consumer Research Council Fix-It Line 800/644-6999

For the following free EPA publications:
Citizen’s Guide to Radon – Publication Number: EPA-402-K92-001
Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon – Publication Number:
EPA-402-R93-003
Radon Measurement in Schools – Publication Number: EPA-402-B94-001
IAQ Information Clearinghouse
800/438-4318; 202/484-1307
http://www.epa.gov/radonpubs/