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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2013
CONTACT: Claire Smith, (608)
266-1683
RADON EXPOSURE IS LEADING CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER AMONG NON-SMOKERS
January is National Radon Action Month
MADISON—State health officials are encouraging homeowners to check
their home's radon levels because exposure to radioactive radon gas is
the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers nationwide and the
second leading cause overall.
"Radon causes more lung cancer among non-smokers than even
second-hand tobacco smoke,” said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health
Officer. "Fortunately this cause of lung cancer is largely preventable,
and the first step is to test your home. If an elevated radon level is
found, it can be easily and effectively corrected.”
Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that is naturally present in the
ground and can enter buildings through their foundations. Both old and
newer homes can be susceptible to radon. Between 5 and 10 percent of
Wisconsin homes have elevated airborne concentrations in areas where
people spend the most time, according to state data. Radon
concentrations vary greatly from home to home and any home having
contact with the ground should be tested.
Radon concentrations in indoor air can be measured with simple,
inexpensive test kits available from hardware stores and local public
health agencies. Winter is an ideal time to test for radon because
windows and doors are closed.
More than 60 radon mitigation contractors in Wisconsin are nationally
certified and install highly effective soil-depressurization radon
control systems. Thousands of systems are installed in existing homes in
Wisconsin each year. New construction should include features
recommended by the National Association of Home Builders to reduce radon
entry.
An estimated 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States
are caused by radon among non-smokers, according to reports by the
Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Surgeon General.
For information about radon in Wisconsin, visit:
www.lowradon.org.
To reach local public health agency experts, call 1-888 LOW-RADON
(1-888-569-7236).
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Last Revised:
April 18, 2013
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