Test your home for radon
As you start your spring projects this year, consider also performing a home radon test. Why? Because radon is known to cause lung cancer and north-central Indiana is a radon hot-spot. In fact, at least one-in-three homes in Indiana are expected to have radon above the U.S. action level. The EPA publishes risk tables which show the likelihood of getting lung cancer based a lifetime exposure to radon at levels found in homes; therefore it’s good to know your radon number so that you can understand your family’s risk.
Many Cass County residents showed that they’re concerned about the quality of outdoor air as a result of new industry coming in. We should be just as concerned about the quality of our indoor air. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and it increases cancer risk in those who do smoke. The EPA, American Lung Association, World Health Organization, U.S. Surgeon General, Indiana Department of Health and many other health organizations consider radon to be a significant public health risk. The EPA recommends that home-owners test every two years, even if they have mitigated, because conditions in the home can change over time.
You can’t see, smell or taste it but testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. There are many sources of do-it-yourself home test kits. Look for a test kit that is approved by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) – this organization certifies professional testers and mitigators for licensing in Indiana. If your house is determined to have radon above the action level, the cost to fix it is likely to be less than many other home repairs. Be sure to find a radon mitigation professional who is currently certified by the Indiana State Radon Office (certifiedradonpros.org).
When Susan and I moved to Logansport, we were unaware that local radon levels were so high. After finding that our home did have radon, we ventilated our crawl space and dropped the measurements well below the action level. We are not worried that radon will affect the sale of our home; when that time comes, we will be happy to assure a buyer that our house has been fixed. We want all of our friends and neighbors to be aware of the potential radon risk in our area and test their homes this spring.
—Malcolm Jarrell, Cass County
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