While so many are worried about radiation levels in the U.S. lately, as a result from the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown disaster, the U.S. EPA says exposure to Radon in the home is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, and radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon, simply put, is a health hazard.
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that emanates from the ground into the air as a result of Uranium breaking down in the soil. Radon gas in the air is present worldwide, its concentration depending on the uranium content of the soil.
Radon in our homes is the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation, and accounts for 50% of the public’s exposure to naturally-occurring sources of radiation in many countries, according to the WHO.
Radon gas escapes easily from the ground into the air and emits heavily ionizing radiation called alpha particles. These particles are electrically charged and attach to dust and other particles in the air we breathe. As a result, the alpha particles can damage our DNA and potentially cause lung cancer.
Radon gas gets into your house through cracks at concrete floor-wall junctions, gaps in the floor, pores in hollow-block walls, and also sumps and drains. Because of this, radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars or other areas in contact with soil.
The U.S. EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter), although they do recommend considering action above 2 pico Curies.
Radon level chart for a ‘never-smoker’
(number of people who may get lung cancer in their lifetime)
1.3 pCi/L: 2 out of 1,000
2 pCi/L: 4 out of 1,000
4 pCi/L: 7 out of 1,000
8 pCi/L: 15 out of 1,000
10 pCi/L: 18 out of 1,000
20 pCi/L: 36 out of 1,000
Radon level chart for a ‘smoker’
(number of people who may get lung cancer in their lifetime)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
1.3 pCi/L: 20 out of 1,000
2 pCi/L: 32 out of 1,000
4 pCi/L: 62out of 1,000
8 pCi/L: 120 out of 1,000
10 pCi/L: 150 out of 1,000
20 pCi/L: 260 out of 1,000
After looking at this Radon pico curie level chart, you might consider getting a Radon detector for your home. It could save you and your family from developing lung cancer from long-term radon exposure.
There are basically two types of radon gas detectors.
One type is a one-time use where you let it sit in your home for 4 days and then send it to a lab for results.
A second type, and better, is one that measures the radon gas level constantly, and gives real-time results.
An advantage to having a constantly-measuring type radon detector, is that 4-day tests can be very misleading because they can spike for a variety of reasons like if the ground is frozen, or it rains, for example. It costs less than a professional radon test, does more (continually measures the levels) AND you can let family and friends borrow it.
The following radon gas detector appears to be the one of the best-priced, highly reviewed, constant measuring type.
Safety Siren Pro Series HS71512 3 Radon Gas Detector
With so much focus today from some of the U.S. public on radiation levels and radioactive particles drifting over from Japan, this particular other radiation threat – radon – could be in your home right now, and in vastly higher quantities.
Some people already know about radon (tests are often required before purchasing a home in certain parts of the country), but in keeping with the theme of Modern Survival, I’ll bet that lots don’t know about this risk. Fortunately though, this risk can be readily detected, and actions taken to greatly reduce or eliminate it.
If you enjoyed this, or topics of preparedness or current events risk awareness, consider our survival blog RSS feed, new posts by E-mail, or bookmark us at Modern Survival Blog
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Posted on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:05:17 +0000 at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ModernSurvivalBlog/~3/r9FaNSJHHjw/
Comments: http://modernsurvivalblog.com/health/radon-gas-radiation-in-america/#comments
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that emanates from the ground into the air as a result of Uranium breaking down in the soil. Radon gas in the air is present worldwide, its concentration depending on the uranium content of the soil.
Radon in our homes is the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation, and accounts for 50% of the public’s exposure to naturally-occurring sources of radiation in many countries, according to the WHO.
Radon gas escapes easily from the ground into the air and emits heavily ionizing radiation called alpha particles. These particles are electrically charged and attach to dust and other particles in the air we breathe. As a result, the alpha particles can damage our DNA and potentially cause lung cancer.
Radon gas gets into your house through cracks at concrete floor-wall junctions, gaps in the floor, pores in hollow-block walls, and also sumps and drains. Because of this, radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars or other areas in contact with soil.
The U.S. EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter), although they do recommend considering action above 2 pico Curies.
Radon level chart for a ‘never-smoker’
(number of people who may get lung cancer in their lifetime)
1.3 pCi/L: 2 out of 1,000
2 pCi/L: 4 out of 1,000
4 pCi/L: 7 out of 1,000
8 pCi/L: 15 out of 1,000
10 pCi/L: 18 out of 1,000
20 pCi/L: 36 out of 1,000
Radon level chart for a ‘smoker’
(number of people who may get lung cancer in their lifetime)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
1.3 pCi/L: 20 out of 1,000
2 pCi/L: 32 out of 1,000
4 pCi/L: 62out of 1,000
8 pCi/L: 120 out of 1,000
10 pCi/L: 150 out of 1,000
20 pCi/L: 260 out of 1,000
After looking at this Radon pico curie level chart, you might consider getting a Radon detector for your home. It could save you and your family from developing lung cancer from long-term radon exposure.
There are basically two types of radon gas detectors.
One type is a one-time use where you let it sit in your home for 4 days and then send it to a lab for results.
A second type, and better, is one that measures the radon gas level constantly, and gives real-time results.
An advantage to having a constantly-measuring type radon detector, is that 4-day tests can be very misleading because they can spike for a variety of reasons like if the ground is frozen, or it rains, for example. It costs less than a professional radon test, does more (continually measures the levels) AND you can let family and friends borrow it.
The following radon gas detector appears to be the one of the best-priced, highly reviewed, constant measuring type.
Safety Siren Pro Series HS71512 3 Radon Gas Detector
With so much focus today from some of the U.S. public on radiation levels and radioactive particles drifting over from Japan, this particular other radiation threat – radon – could be in your home right now, and in vastly higher quantities.
Some people already know about radon (tests are often required before purchasing a home in certain parts of the country), but in keeping with the theme of Modern Survival, I’ll bet that lots don’t know about this risk. Fortunately though, this risk can be readily detected, and actions taken to greatly reduce or eliminate it.
If you enjoyed this, or topics of preparedness or current events risk awareness, consider our survival blog RSS feed, new posts by E-mail, or bookmark us at Modern Survival Blog
Modern Survival Blog related posts
Posted on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:05:17 +0000 at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ModernSurvivalBlog/~3/r9FaNSJHHjw/
Comments: http://modernsurvivalblog.com/health/radon-gas-radiation-in-america/#comments