Spending more time at home has made all of us more aware of the air we breathe inside our homes. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor pollutant levels can be two to five times higher than outdoor pollutant levels. There are several sources of indoor air pollution, including tobacco products, fuel-burning appliances, building materials, excess moisture, household cleaners, and radon. There are things you can do to make your home environment healthier:
•Stop smoking indoors
•Repair appliances and add a carbon monoxide detector
•Repair water leaks and use kitchen and bathroom fans
•Follow the directions on household cleaners and select less toxic products
•Test your home for radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. It is harmless outdoors but can be very dangerous when found in high quantities in a confined space, such as your home. High levels of radon can be found in new and older homes. Radon is a gas that is formed naturally when uranium in rock, soil and groundwater breaks down. Most of the time, radon harmlessly dissipates into the atmosphere outdoors; however, when radon concentrates inside your home it becomes a problem. It seeps into your home through cracks and crevices, and can even enter through your well water. The EPA estimates that each year around 21,000 people die from radon-induced lung cancer.
Radon has no smell and is invisible, so the only way to know if you have it is to test. You can order a radon test kit from UGA Extension (radon.uga.edu) for $15. The kit is hung in the lowest livable level of your home for 3 to 7 days then mailed off for analysis. If the test results are above 4 picocuries per liter, you can either test again or consult a radon professional about installing a radon mitigation system to fix the problem. The EPA action level is 4 picocuries per liter, which is the equivalent radiation dose of receiving 200 chest X-rays per year.
Radon is an indoor air problem that can be fixed, so don’t delay and test today. For an interactive map of radon levels in Georgia visit radon.uga.edu. For more information, call the Henry County Extension Office at 770-288-8421.
