How to Prevent Radon-Induced Lung Cancer

In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, National Radon Defense is encouraging homeowners across the United States to test for radon.

Did you know that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers? Lung cancer is often thought of as a self-inflicted disease, but that's not necessarily the case. This misconception has made lung cancer one of the deadliest diseases. More than 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer each year and more than 150,000 people die from the disease annually.

How is lung cancer linked to radon exposure?

Radon is a gas that is found everywhere. Radon is the gaseous result of uranium decay in soil. Some areas produce far higher concentrations of the gas and the levels can vary from house to house in a neighborhood block! There are many contributing factors to radon levels: season, soil composition, a home’s tightness of their building envelope, and more.

Why can’t we just remove it when we notice it? Well, none of our human senses can detect this deadly toxin. The only way to identify its presence is by performing a test.

How to protect yourself and your family

First, find your local National Radon Defense dealer in your area. Our experts are fully trained and certified to meet their state requirements to test and/or mitigate radon gas. 

There are several radon testing options, but all are easy and inexpensive. There are "do-it-yourself" kits available in hardware and home improvement stores. Some states also provide free or discounted test kits. If you prefer, you can hire a certified radon testing specialist to perform a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) test.

If the radon levels in your home are above 4.0 picocuries per liter, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends having a radon mitigation system installed. National Radon Defense dealers are among the best in the industry - they are certified to install custom radon mitigation systems to help significantly reduce radon levels.

There's no better time than now to test for radon

Knowledge is power. The only way to truly prevent radon-induced lung cancer is to find out if you're at risk. Schedule an appointment today with your local contractor!