1. One Less Statistic It may be a surprise to most, as it was to myself, that according to EPA estimates, Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. This potent, cancer-causing radioactive gas cannot be seen, smelt or tasted and is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, 2,900 of which were among people who never put a cigarette to their mouth. By: Bobbie Reinoehl
2. The Source - Let the journey begin – URANIUM Little radon atoms live deep below our toes inside the smallest of rocks. It then escapes through small crevices in those rocks and seeps into the soil. Depending on the soils moisture content, some radon atoms move freely at a fast pace before decaying and collecting inside a building of its choice. Others remain trapped in gravel and rocks and then decay to form lead. Some radon atoms enjoy swimming, however their journey ends in about an inch before they decay, where as the soil atoms can travel 6-10 feet. After an exhausting journey, Radon relaxes in your home. Discovered in 1900 by Friedrich Ernst Dorn
4. No need to answer the doorbell, Radon will let itself in through your…. -Crack in the floor - -Construction joints - -Crack in the wall -Gaps around the service pipes - and -Cavities inside the wall- by now Radon is nestled up on your couch in your basement, infecting everyone in its path. How They Get In
5. How They Get In http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/gamma/images/houseradon.jpg
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7. -Risk if you smoke- Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower. pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports. (Average outdoor radon level) About 3 people could get lung cancer 0.4 pCi/L (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.) (Average indoor radon level) About 20 people could get lung cancer 1.3 pCi/L Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L 6 times the risk of dying from poison About 32 people could get lung cancer 2 pCi/L Fix your home 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash About 62 people could get lung cancer 4 pCi/L Fix your home 30 times the risk of dying in a fall About 120 people could get lung cancer 8 pCi/L Fix your home 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire About 150 people could get lung cancer 10 pCi/L Fix your home 250 times the risk of drowning About 260 people could get lung cancer 20 pCi/L WHAT TO DO: Stop smoking and... The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**... If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*... Radon Level
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9. 1 month later… I took my friend’s advice and decided to test my home for Radon. It was easy and very inexpensive. To my surprise the results came back at 20 pCi/L’s. The EPA suggests keeping your house at 2 pCi/L’s (picocuries per liter) or below! Because the levels of radon in my home were so high, I hired a contractor to make the home repairs necessary to remove it, which costs $800 - $2,500. Some do it yourself removal remedies include a vent pipe system and fan, seal off exposed cracks in walls and floors, and vent your basement and open windows. Here is who to contact: PA Dept. of Environmental Protection - www.depweb.state.pa.us/dep/site/default.asp Bureau of Radiation Protection Rachel Carson State Office Bldg P.O. Box 8469 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8469 1-800-23RADON (1-800-237-2366) (Pennsylvania only) www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/rp/radon_division/Radon_Homepage.htm Radon Contact : Michael Pyles mpyles@state.pa.us Division Chief (717) 783-3594 Fax: (717) 783-8965
10. The Pennsylvania Radon Story by Thomas M. Gerusky In December 1984, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection found itself confronted with the discovery of a home in eastern Pennsylvania having the highest level of radon daughters ever reported. The Bureau responded with a massive radon monitoring, educational, and remediation effort. As of November 1986, over 18,000 homes had been screened for radon daughters; of which, approximately 59% were found to have levels in excess of the 0.020 Working Level guideline. Pennsylvania responded to the radon issue in the belief that it had public health responsibility and a moral obligation to assist as much as possible. Pennsylvania has no legal authority to enter private residences without the consent of the homeowner, and no authority to require monitoring or take remedial action. Pennsylvania has received technical and in-kind help from the federal agencies but no direct monetary support. Pennsylvania believes the issue is so significant that a permanent program is being established in the Bureau of Radiation Protection to continue the screening, detailed evaluation, and follow-up of radon-infiltrated homes. Pennsylvania believes the problem to be international in scope, and strongly recommends that other states and federal agencies carry out screening; and, where necessary, remedial action programs.
13. “ A Citizen's Guide to Radon.” The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon . 9 Feb 2009. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 4 Mar 2009. <http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html> Friedman, Sharon M., et al. "Reporting on Radon: The Role of Local Newspapers." Environment 29.2 (Mar. 1987): 4. Academic Search Premier . EBSCO. HACC Library, York, PA. 4 Mar. 2009 <http://www.ebscohost.com> Gerusky, Thomas M. “Bureau of Radiation Protection.” The Pennsylvania Radon Story . Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 4 Mar 2009. <http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/rp/radon_division/PA_Radon_ story1.htm> Gerusky, Thomas M., and Albert J. Hazle.. "RADON Reports from the States." Environment 29.1 (Jan. 1987): 12. Academic Search Premier . EBSCO. HACC Library, York, PA. 4 Mar. 2009 <http://ezproxy.hacc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct>. Nicholls, Gerald. "The Ebb and Flow of Radon." American Journal of Public Health July 1999: 993+. Academic Search Premier . EBSCO. HACC Library,York, PA. 4 Mar. 2009 <http://ezproxy.hacc.edu> Stebbings, James H., and James J. Dignam.. "Contamination of Individuals by Radon Daughters: A Preliminary Study." Archives of Environmental Health 43.2 (Mar. 1988). Academic Search Premier . EBSCO. HACC Library, York, PA. 4 Mar. 2009 <http://ezproxy.hacc.edu> Works Cited
