US Surgeon General Warns American Public about Radon

Washington DC -- The office of the U.S. Surgeon General has warned the American public about the risks of breathing indoor radon by issuing a national health advisory. The advisory is meant to urge Americans to prevent this silent radioactive gas from seeping into their homes and building up to dangerous levels.

Radon is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas, with no immediate health symptoms, that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. Simple test kits can reveal the amount of radon in any building. Those with high levels can be fixed with simple and affordable venting techniques. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, one in every 15 homes nationwide has a high radon level at or above the recommended radon action level of 4 picoCuries (pCi/L) per liter of air.

Radon gas can seep into a home from the soil through dirt crawlspaces, cracks in the foundation and walls, floor drains, pipes and sump pumps. Radon can enter any home, old or new, even those with no visible cracks. Each building is unique, and the ground beneath it is also unique. Two houses side-by-side can have totally different radon levels. The only way to know what the radon levels are inside your home is to measure them.

National Health Advisory on Radon

Radon gas in the indoor air of America's homes poses a serious health risk. More than 20,000 Americans die of radon-related lung cancer every year. Millions of homes have an elevated radon level. If you also smoke, your risk of lung cancer is much higher. Test your home for radon every two years, and retest any time you move, make structural changes to your home, or occupy a previously unused level of a house. If you have a radon level of 4 pCi/L or more, take steps to remedy the problem as soon as possible.

"Americans need to know about the risks of indoor radon and have the information and tools they need to take action. That's why EPA is actively promoting the Surgeon General's advice urging all Americans to get their homes tested for radon. If families do find elevated levels in their homes, they can take inexpensive steps that will reduce exposure to this risk," said Jeffrey R. Holmstead, Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

How to test my home or business:

Testing is easy and should only take a few minutes of your time. The Radon Screen Check (RSC) can be used for the initial screening of a home for Radon gas. The RCS can also be used to assess the performance of a Radon Mitigation system. The test device must remain undisturbed for 48 to 96 hours under closed house conditions.  The Radon Screen Check (RSC) kits are available on line at www.IndoorAirTest.com through Building Health Check The kits are available from Building Health Check (www.indoorairtest.com), and at selected Goin’ Postal retail stores across the US, on line retailers and distributors.

As the nation's leading DIY manufacturer, Building Health Check, LLC has added drop-off centers in throughout the US. Call 1-800-422-7873  1-800-422-7873 ext 404 for a sample drop-off locations near you.

About Building Health Check & Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab):

Building Health Check sets the industry standard for IAQ DIY kits, testing equipment, and laboratory analysis. Building Health Check has affiliations with EDLab and Accustar Labs.

Building Health Checks, LLC’s expanding client roster includes: Progressive Insurance, USACE, Southern California Schools JPA, VA Medical Center, Broward General Healthcare, General Services Administration (GSA); Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; and, CB Richard Ellis and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services the reliable industry leader in IAQ.

For more information on Building Health Check, LLC or EDLab or please contact Chris Bower or Ed Ziegler, at  727-572-4550, (800) 422-7873 x404 or 804 respectively, or visit wwwIndoorAirTest.com.

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