What the heck is radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals, break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater. People can be exposed to radon primarily by breathing radon in the air, which comes through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes. Because radon comes naturally from the earth, people are always exposed to it.
How can radon impact my health?
Radon is a radioactive gas that can have major effects on our health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) & World Health Organization (WHO) radon exposure is one of the leading causes of lung cancer for both smokers and non-smokers alike. It is estimated for causing 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. For more information, please use the following links to the EPA website and WHO.
Pets can be affected too!
Radon doesn’t just pose a threat to you and your human loved ones, your furry family members can also be affected. Pets exposed to radon levels, even lower than 4.0 PCi/L, have similar health issues as humans. They are especially susceptible to radon, since they spend more time indoors, and are lower to the ground.
