Local Agencies Encourage Radon Testing in 2008
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension - Buncombe County Center and the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency are providing free radon test kits to the citizens of Buncombe County while supplies last.
Radon is a carcinogen that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. A naturally occurring radioactive gas that is emitted from the decay of uranium in the soil, rock, and water, radon can get into the air of buildings, including offices, schools, and homes and become trapped. Radon levels may rise above the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Action Level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is the standard for radon exposure. The geology of Buncombe County has contributed to the county having some of the highest radon levels in the state.
Radon decays into radioactive particles that can become trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As these particles break down, they emit alpha particles, which are radioactive and can cause damage to the delicate tissue in your lungs. This damage can lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Your chances of developing radon-induced lung cancer depend on many factors, including the amount of time you are exposed to radon and the amount of radon in that exposure.
The only way to determine whether you have a radon problem is to test your home. It is easy and free and takes only a few minutes to set up the kit. The kit is hung in the lowest lived in level of the home for a few days and then put into a mailer included with the kit and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results are mailed back to the resident. The entire sampling and analysis process takes about a week to complete.
If the radon test kit indicates levels in your home are above the EPA Action Level of 4 pCi/L, it is recommended that you consider radon mitigation. Radon mitigation prevents radon from entering your home through the soil beneath your home. There are various methods of reducing radon levels indoors. In some cases, sealing cracks in floors and walls may help to reduce radon levels. In other cases, a radon mitigation system should be installed.
Consult with a certified radon mitigator to discuss your options when it comes to removing radon in your home. Radon mitigation systems remove radon gas from below the foundation or concrete slab before it can enter your home. The cost of reducing radon levels varies depending on the extent of the radon problem. On average, mitigation costs approximately $2,000 in existing homes. Preventive systems can be installed in homes under construction for approximately $500.
Either the Regional Air Quality Agency or North Carolina Cooperative Extension - Buncombe County Center can provide air quality related education and outreach to the community about radon and other indoor air hazards.
If you live in Buncombe County and would like to obtain a free radon test kit, stop by the Cooperative Extension Center at 94 Coxe Avenue to pick up your free kit. Their number is 255-5522. Free kits can also be picked up at the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency which is located at 49 Mount Carmel Road. Their phone number is 250-6777. The free radon test kits will be distributed as long as the supply last.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT:
WNC Regional Air Quality Agency
49 Mt.
Phone:
250-6778
Email:
ashley.featherstone@buncombecounty.org
