The most devastating effect of smoking is cancer—namely lung cancer, as it has the lowest survival rate of any other cancer. While public awareness has risen concerning the hazards of smoking and second hand smoke, there is another cancer-causing gas that gets little attention in spite of its dangerous effects. Radon rates as the second leading cause of lung cancer (with smoking being the first), and is responsible for 20,000 deaths annually. Many cases of lung cancer can be prevented—this is especially true with Radon-caused cases.

What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that is invisible, has no taste or scent accompanying it—and often found in a surprisingly high number of homes. Apparently studies were first conducted when occupational studies revealed the damage radon had on the health of miner’s who had breathed in radon for a period of many years.

Radon can also be dissolved in water, often contaminating well water, so that when you run your tap, one ten thousandth of the radon in the water is released into the air.

How Does Radon Get into a Building?

Most radon enters a home or building from the soil or rock beneath the structure. Because the air pressure inside buildings is usually lower than the pressure in soil, the higher pressure forces gases through the floors and walls. Most of the gas enters through cracks or other openings in the building structure. Because homes and businesses are built with energy efficiency in mind, the radon that enters is trapped inside the building and become concentrated.

For a non-smoker, the #1 cause of lung cancer is radon inhalation—secondhand smoke is the 2nd.

Have Your Home Tested for Radon

The tests are cheap and easy and could make an enormous difference for your health. The single use test kits consist of a canister which you uncap and leave open in your house for 2-4 days. Then the canister is recapped and you send it to the test kit lab for results. Even houses and structures that are built to be "radon-proof" should be tested as a precaution.

Some Radon Solutions

1. The EPA endorses the use of air cleaners, though the association stresses that the filter you use needs to contain activated carbon to absorb gases like radon. The important thing to remember is that carbon needs to be changed often, as there is no way to determine whether it is saturated or not. Once the carbon is saturated, it won’t absorb anymore contaminants. Dynamic air cleaners have HEPA quality filters with a carbon center—changing these filters as suggested (every other month) will protect your family from radon.
2. Ultra violet air purifiers, such as Biozone or Air Oasis can also be used to break down radon, as well as germs, viruses, spores and odors.
3. Another method of radon removal is having a contractor install an extra ventilation system to flush out the harmful gas with fresh air.