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Did you Know: The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.

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Ø Radon Testing

Radon is estimated to cause between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths per year according to the National Academy of sciences 1998 data.  The numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from 2001 National Safety Council reports.

EPA Recommendations:

· Test your home for radon—it’s easy and inexpensive.

· Fix your home if your radon level is 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.

· Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced.

*Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in Wisconsin (see map). While radon problems may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only way to know about your home is to test.

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can’t see radon. And you can’t smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That’s because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon can be found all over the U.S. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home. That’s where you spend most of your time.

You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. Testing is inexpensive and easy – it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon.

You can fix a radon problem. There are simple ways to fix a radon problem that aren’t too costly. Even high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?

Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty home, and homes with or without basements.

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

RADON GETS IN THROUGH:

Any home may have a radon problem.

1. Cracks in solid floors

2. Construction joints

3. Cracks in walls

4. Gaps in suspended floors

5. Gaps around service pipes

6. Cavities inside walls

7. The water supply

EPA Map of Radon Zones

WISCONSIN

The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey have evaluated the radon potential in the U.S. and have developed this map to assist National, State, and local organizations to target their resources and to assist building code officials in deciding whether radon-resistant features are applicable in new construction. This map is not intended to be used to determine if a home in a given zone should be tested for radon. Homes with elevated levels of radon have been found in all three zones. All homes should be tested regardless of geographic location. The map assigns each of the 3,141 counties in the U.S. to one of three zones based on radon potential. Each zone designation reflects the average short-term radon measurement that can be expected to be measure in a building without the implementation or radon control methods. The radon zone designation of the highest priority is Zone 1.

	Zone 1	Highest Potential (greater than 4 pCi/L)
	Zone 2	Moderate Potential (from 2 to 4 pCi/L)
	Zone 3	Low Potential (less than 2 pCi/L)

	Information about radon provided by the Environmental Protection Agency.