January is National Radon Action Month. Radon should be considered a great public health risk. In a time where everything is considered dangerous, the EPA has a wealth of scientific data proving the relationship between radon exposure & the development of lung cancer. The scientific experts agree that the occupational miner data is a good foundation. It is from this base that they are able estimate the risk of lung cancer deaths annually.
It is generally agreed that a residential study on radon will help the EPA improve what we know to be true about the health effects of radon. When such a study is conducted, it will not supersede the date that has already been collected from the occupational miner studies. It will, however, benefit what the experts already know about radon being a public health risk.
The EPA is not the only organization that urges radon testing, nor is it the only one to encourage public action when radon levels are above 4 pCi/L. Health authorities like the Center for Disease Control, the Surgeon General, the American Lung Association, and the American Medical Association all agree that radon is a major cause for concern, and should be considered a public health risk.
There was a comprehensive study done by the National Academy of Science called the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI). In this report, it is reinforced that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. It is consensus among the experts that radon is a serious public health risk.
It will probably take many more years, along with scientific study before we have an even more definitive answer to why radon should be considered a great public health risk.
You shouldn’t wait for these extra studies to be conducted before deciding to take action. You can have your home tested for radon today. If the results come back high, you should have your home remediated. Trinity Radon is here to help! Give us a call at 630-499-1492 or visit our website for more information.
