The Edmond Sun

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January 8, 2009

Oklahomans encouraged to test homes for radon

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is working with the EPA in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families.

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. Radon is dispersed in outdoor air, but can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. Scientists long have been concerned about the health risk of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming evidence that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans.

EPA estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive. The EPA estimates that 1 in every 15 homes nationwide has a high radon level at or above the recommended radon action level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. To view the statistical results from tests that have been conducted in your county, city or ZIP code, visit the DEQ Radon Web pages at www.deq.state.ok.us/radon.

DEQ encourages Oklahomans to take action during this year’s National Radon Action Month by testing their homes for radon.

Radon test kits, including laboratory analysis and total postage, may be purchased from DEQ for $27. To order a test kit, call 702-1152. For more information about radon, radon testing and mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction in Oklahoma, call DEQ at 702-5100 or visit the DEQ Radon Web pages at: www.deq.state.ok.us/radon.

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