27
Healthy Indoors
MYTH: Scientists aren't sure radon really is a problem.
FACT: Although some scientists dispute the precise number of
deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations (like the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung
Association and the American Medical Association) agree with es-
timates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer
deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since
the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.
MYTH: Radon testing is difficult, time consuming
and expensive.
FACT: Radon testing is easy. You can test your home yourself or
hire a qualified radon test company. Either approach takes only a
small amount of time and effort.
MYTH: Homes with radon problems can't be fixed.
FACT: There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes.
Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed ra-
don problems in their homes. Most homes can be fixed for about
the same cost as other common home repairs; check with one or
more qualified mitigators. Call your state radon office for help in
identifying qualified mitigation contractors.
MYTH: Radon affects only certain kinds of homes.
FACT: House construction can affect radon levels. However, ra-
don can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new
homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements,
homes without basements. Local geology, construction materials,
and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect
radon levels in homes.
MYTH: Radon is only a problem in certain parts
of the country.
FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon
problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know your
radon level is to test.
MYTH: A neighbor's test result is a good indication of
whether your home has a problem.
FACT: It's not. Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home.
The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it.
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RADON MYTHS vs FACTS
