January is National Radon Action Month
Radon
is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. For children, radon and second-hand smoke are the biggest risk factors for development of lung cancer. Smokers who are exposed to radon have a much higher risk of lung cancer.
Detecting radon is different from a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector in your home. You have to test your home for radon with a radon test kit. It is a colorless, odorless, invisible gas that occurs naturally in Maryland and many other states.
Radon and the Environment
Radon is naturally occurring in the earth and rock that seeps into buildings from the surrounding soil. The amount of radon in the soil depends on soil chemistry, which varies from one house to the next. The amount of radon that escapes from the soil to enter the house depends on the weather, soil porosity, soil moisture and the amount the home can take up.
Radon in Maryland
The map below shows radon levels measured in homes by ZIP code in Maryland from 2005-2016. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing all homes for radon, and fixing homes if their levels are higher than 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
Zone 1 - Highest Potential (greater than 4 pCi/L)
Zone 2 - Moderate Potential (from 2 to 4 pCi/L)
Zone 3 - Low Potential (less than 2 pCi/L)
- There is no known safe level of radon.
- Radon may be found in all types of homes and buildings.
- Exposure to radon can cause lung cancer in smokers and non-smokers alike.
Three Things You Can Do During National Radon Action Month
- Test your home - EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes in the U.S. be tested for radon. Testing is easy and inexpensive. We can provide you with referrals for testing and remediation upon request.
- Spread the word
- Spend time during National Radon Action Month encouraging others to learn about radon and test their homes.
Please consider The Myers Team your resource for all things real estate. We have over 30 years of real estate experience, specializing in the Montgomery County area. If you are refinancing, want a recommendation,
need a service provider or just have a home related question, please give me a call at 301-910-9910 or email me at bobmyersteam@gmail.com.
