Radon Hazards Identified in Easy to Use IAQ Test Kit
IAQ Index™ provides test kits to help identify radon levels and other hazards in homes, offices and schools.
Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that results from the radioactive decay of radium. It may be found in rock formations and groundwater beneath buildings or in certain building materials. The gas typically moves up through the soil and penetrates buildings through cracks, sumps and other holes in the building slab or foundation.
Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in people's lungs when they breathe. As these particles continue to undergo radioactive decay, they continue to release energy that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of many years.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building -- homes, offices, and schools -- and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time." The agency goes on to state, "Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon."
To help identify radon in indoor environments, IAQ Index offers test kits for radon testing. Bruce Jacobs, CIH, President of IAQ Index, was asked about the need for properties to be tested. He reported, "Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have elevated radon levels, and radon is thought to cause thousands of deaths each year.
