http://www.prlog.org/10349595-world-health-organization-who-sets-radon-action-level-of-27-less-lung-cancer-risk-than-epa-40.html

Radon gas has been identified as the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers according to recent studies conducted throughout the world.  The World Health Organization states that as many as 14% of the lung cancer cases in many countries (including the United States) are caused by exposure to radon gas.

The World Health Organization has released their Handbook on Indoor Radon which strongly validates the worldwide threat of exposure to radon gas.  According to handbook, WHO has been studying the effects of radon exposure since 1979.  Although radon was classified as a human carcinogen in 1988, it took over 20-years of sound research and real-life studies from all over the world to confirm the true magnitude of the risk radon poses.  Based on the results of these studies, WHO now suggests that homeowners take action when radon levels exceed 2.7 pCi/l.  This is a much more conservative figure than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA's) action level of 4.0 pCi/l, which has been the U.S. standard for over 20-years.

More than 100 scientists from 30 countries have participated in the World Health Organization International Radon Project since 2005 which has lead to the publishing of the WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon this year.  The book is a useful resource for concerned homeowners or anyone who wants to learn more about the toxic carcinogen known as radon.   It outlines the years of research and the very conclusive findings that have triggered a push for stricter legislation and construction practices that will reduce the risk of indoor radon exposure to the general population.  You can download a copy of the WHO Radon Handbook here: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241547673_eng.pdf

The United Nations also broke new ground in the international fight on radon-induced lung cancer when they released their acknowledgement of the radon problems throughout the world.  This is documented in their Assessment for Radon in Homes and Workplaces: http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/2006/09-81160_Report_Annex_E_2006_Web.pdf

“By encouraging people to take action when radon levels exceed 2.7 rather than the previous limit of 4.0, we should see a dramatic increase in the number of homes being tested and mitigated as well as improved enforcement of radon resistant new construction requirements,” according to Jamey Gelina, a radon mitigation specialist with Air Quality Control Agency. His firm is one of the largest companies in the U.S. that specializes in installing radon removal equipment.    http://www.MitigationSystem.com

Most major health organizations (including The American Medical Association, National Cancer Institute, and American Lung Association) for years have known that radon increases lung cancer risk.  However, recent studies have confirmed that the risk is evident even at levels much lower than earlier studies suggested.  The good news is this: Radon testing is easy and inexpensive.  Homes with elevated radon levels (even at 2.7) can be fixed using current radon remediation technology.  Learn more at:  http://www.RadonMitigation.us

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Radon gas mitigation reduction remediation testing Denver Boulder Littleton, Ben Lombardi, Milford New Haven Stamford Norwalk Hartford Greenwich Connecticut CT.  Radon abatement company Wilmington De,Air Quality Control Agency Inc,Indianapolis South Bend Ft Wayne,Ross Aton, Indiana Lexington Louisville Kentucky KY Baltimore Annapolis Columbia Silver Spring Maryland MD.  Radon testing companies Boston Framingham Concord Massachusetts. Lansing Ann Arbor Kalamazoo Grand Rapids Brighton Michigan.  Call Air Quality Control at 1-800-NO-RADON.  Radon gas mitigation reduction remediation testing. Radon removal contractors Denver, Boulder, Littleton Colorado. Newburgh N.Y. Poughkeepsie New York NY Radon Remediation / Radon Mitigation:  When a building (or house) is found to have an elevated level of radon gas (defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a radon result of 4.0 pCi/l or higher,) methods of reducing the radon levels can be applied to cure the problem.  The most common method of radon mitigation (also known as radon remediation or radon gas abatement) is Active Soil Depressurization (ASD.) An ASD Radon Mitigation System utilizes PVC piping attached to an electric radon suction fan.  The piping typically begins below the lowest floor of the structure's foundation (penetrating the slab of the basement or the plastic membrane of the crawl space) and extends upward to an exit point above ground level.  The inline radon fan is mounted in an inconspicuous location on the exterior or within an attic above the home.  In cases where the radon fan is installed in the attic, the discharge pipe extends out through the roof so the radon gas can be released outdoors.  Once radon is released into the atmosphere, it is no longer hazardous.  Radon is only dangerous when trapped indoors.

Active (fan assisted) radon mitigation systems can reduce the radon gas entry by as much as 99%.  A qualified radon contractor (also known as a radon mitigator or radon remediation specialist) can typically install a radon mitigation system in a home in less than a day.  After the system is installed, the radon levels begin to drop almost immediately.  Passive radon reduction techniques (such as sealing cracks or installing pipes without an inline radon fan) are rarely effective at reducing radon levels.  The reason that these "passive" radon reduction techniques are ineffective is because radon gas is under pressure and must escape from the ground.  It is a very inert, un-reactive gas that can be drawn up through the pours of concrete, around drains, utility penetrations, or expansion joints.  Attempting to "seal out" radon is similar to trying to keep water out of a basement by painting the walls and floor with waterproofing paint.  It may work temporarily if the problem is minor, but it wouldn't keep standing water out.  The only way to fix a water problem is to redirect the water somewhere else before it enters the home.  The same principles apply to radon correction.  Sealing cracks and openings is part of the radon mitigation process; however this is to prevent the downward draw of conditioned air from the home and to improve the pressure field extension of the system below the slab, not to “seal out” the radon.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas that is formed from the decay of radium. Radon gas is one of the heaviest substances that remains a gas under normal conditions and is considered to be a health hazard. The most stable isotope, Rn222 (Radon Gas), has a half-life of 3.8 days and is used in radiotherapy. While having been less studied by chemists due to its radioactivity, there are a few known compounds of this generally un-reactive element.

Radon is a significant contaminant that affects indoor air quality worldwide. Radon gas from natural sources can accumulate in buildings, especially in confined areas such as the basement. Radon can be found in some spring waters and hot springs.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is reportedly the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking; and radon-induced lung cancer the 6th leading cause of cancer death overall. According to the same sources, radon reportedly causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.  Because of this, radon mitigation systems can be life-savers.

Indoor radon can be mitigated by sealing basement foundations, water drainage, or by sub-slab de-pressurization. In severe cases, radon mitigation can be achieved via air pipes and fans to exhaust sub-slab air to the outside. Indoor radon ventilation systems are less visible, but exterior radon systems can be more cost-effective in some cases. Modern construction that conserves energy by making homes air tight exacerbates the risks of radon exposure if radon is present in the home. Older homes with more porous construction are more likely to vent radon naturally. Ventilation systems can be combined with a heat exchanger to recover energy in the process of exchanging air with the outside.  (This is more common with commercial and industrial radon mitigation.)   Homes built on a crawl space can benefit from a radon collector installed under a radon barrier (a sheet of plastic that covers the crawl space).

The most common approaches are active soil depressurization (ASD) which utilizes a radon mitigation suction fan to pull the gas out from below the foundation of the home.  The radon fan is attached in-line with a PVC pipe system running from the foundation to the roof of the home.  Once the radon gas is discharged outdoors, it becomes diluted by the outdoor air to levels that are not hazardous.

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Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.  Air pressure inside your home is usually lower than pressure in the soil around your home's foundation. Because of this difference in pressure, your house acts like a vacuum, drawing radon in through foundation cracks and other openings. Radon Mitigation works by changing the pressure difference between the soil and the home.  Radon gas may also be present in well water and can be released into the air in your home when water is used for showering and other household uses. In most cases, radon entering the home through water is a small risk compared with radon entering your home from the soil. Systems are available to reduce radon entry from water sources.  In a small number of homes, the building materials (e.g., granite and certain concrete products) can give off radon, although building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.  In the United States, radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in homes.

Radon is a Cancer-causing, Radioactive Gas
Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of lung cancer deaths each year. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.  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.  If your test shows a level of 2.7 pCi/l or above, consider installing a radon remediation system.

What Do Your Radon Test Results Mean?

Selecting a Radon Test Kit

Before you’ll know if you need a radon mitigation system, you need to conduct a test.  Since you cannot see or smell radon, special equipment is needed to detect it. When you're ready to test your home, contact your state radon office (or visit our radon testing page for information on locating qualified test kits or qualified