OSEA Safety Blog

The EPA has designated January as National Radon Action Month. The purpose of this is to increase awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant construction practices.

Here is what you need to know about radon:

• Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.
• Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into homes through cracks and other holes in the foundation.
• Workplace exposures happen typically in underground areas such as mines and building basements, tunnels, power stations, and caves.
• Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon levels.
• Elevated radon levels have been found in every state.
• It takes years of exposure before any health problems arise.
• Exposure to radon gas causes more than 20,000 deaths annually and is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

Because we can’t smell, see, or taste radon it’s important to get your homes, and in some cases workplaces, tested. If levels are found to be above 4pCi/L it’s important to take action to mitigate the exposure. The good news is that most radon problems can be fixed for less than $500 by you, or you can hire a certified radon mitigator.