January is National Radon Action Month!

January 06, 2021 at 1:27 pm CST

Radon is one of the scariest things you may have never heard of. Radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. (after cigarette smoking), is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that is created from the natural decay of uranium in the soil. It enters homes and other structures through crawl spaces, sump pumps, and cracks in foundations, and can build up to unsafe levels. Because radon exposure can lead to lung cancer and results in over 20,000 deaths annually, the Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month.

Radon doesn’t discriminate. It can create a problem in homes that are new or old, large or small. High levels of radon have been found in homes in every state in the U.S. Your neighbor’s home could have low levels of radon, and your home’s levels could be high.

The only way to know if you and your family are at risk is to have your home tested. National Radon Action Month encourages people to literally take action to become knowledgeable about radon and its risks, and to have their home tested. You can utilize a home test, but the most accurate results will come from having a professional test performed. If high radon levels are discovered, mitigation should be arranged as soon as possible.

There are several additional actions recommended by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Stop smoking, and discourage smoking by others in your home; smokers exposed to high radon levels are at an even higher risk of developing lung cancer. Increase the air flow in your house by opening windows and using fans to circulate air (although natural ventilation is only a temporary strategy). Seal cracks in basement floors and walls with caulk or other appropriate materials, and if buying a new home, ask about radon-resistant construction techniques.

For more information, please contact:

Illinois Valley Radon Mitigation, LLC

717 Bellevue Avenue

Ottawa, IL 61350

815-313-5892

www.illinoisvalleyradon.com

Email: tami@illinoisvalleyradon.com

[Sponsored] Illinois Valley Radon Mitigation: Installation Process Illinois Valley Radon Mitigation, LLC serves the LaSalle and Bureau Counties. We are locally owned and operated, the areas newest family owned Mitigation company. We are licensed by the State of Illinois and are fully insured for your protection. Our Radon Mitigation systems are installed in accordance with the State of Illinois Mitigation Standards 32 Illinois Administrative Code 422, as amended. We give Free estimates and our work is guaranteed.