EPA News Radon Press Release: January is National Radon Action Month. A Home Improvement to Protect Your Family From Cancer in 2011

EPA News Radon Press Release: January is National Radon Action Month. A
Home Improvement to Protect Your Family From Cancer in 2011

(1888PressRelease) The winter months trap us indoors, but could the air in your home be killing
you? The Environmental Protection Agency sends a strong message about one of America's
leading in-home killers: Radon. January has been designated "National Radon Action Month" to
promote awareness of this cancer-causing gas. "All homes should be tested," states Radon
Specialist James Gelina of Air Quality Control Agency
Worcester, MA-CT (1888PressRelease) - In response to new research that points to radon gas as
the #1 cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency
and Surgeon General have proclaimed National Radon Action Month for January, 2011. Health
agencies throughout the country have joined forces to promote awareness of this "silent killer" in
hopes of preventing thousands of needless cancer deaths this year. "Radon gas is undetectable by
human senses, so the only way that a homeowner can find out if there is a problem is to conduct
a test," states Ross Aton, a NEHA Certified radon professional.
http://radonmonth.wordpress.com


The EPA and eight other federal agencies are announcing a new effort to strengthen the fight
against radon exposure. Radon exposure is the leading cause of non-smoking lung cancer. Senior
leaders from the federal agencies are pledging to work together to create a national risk reduction
plan for radon that will help save lives and create safer, healthier homes for all Americans.

"Radon is a serious public health threat that leads to more than 21,000 deaths each year," said
Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "This new federal
partnership will help Americans reduce their risk of radon exposure."

Radon is a naturally-occurring, invisible and odorless radioactive gas. One in 15 American
homes contains high levels of radon. Millions of Americans are unknowingly exposed to this
dangerous gas. By taking simple steps to test your home for radon and fix if necessary, this
health hazard can be avoided.

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If your home hasn't been tested for radon in the past two years, EPA and the Surgeon General
urge you to take action. Contact your state radon office for information on locating qualified test
kits or qualified radon testers. www.MitigationSystem.com

The federal commitment made by EPA, the General Services Administration, and the
departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban
Development, Interior, and Veterans Affairs will focus efforts on radon reduction and mitigation
in homes, especially those of low-income families, many of whom do not have the resources to
make the simple fixes necessary to protect their homes and loved ones.

At the end of January, the federal consortium will meet with key leaders in the public health,
environmental and private sectors to begin shaping a national action plan that includes both
immediate and long-term steps to reduce radon exposure. "The only way that the general public
is going to become aware of this epidemic health threat is through government action," states
Ben Ingalls, a radon mitigation specialist with Air Quality Control Agency.

New building codes, EPA standards, and DEP regulations are putting more emphasis on indoor
air quality and may prompt more class-action lawsuits and other judgments. Business owners are
becoming more aware of air pollution liability as the media puts focus on consumer, employee,
and customer complaints of indoor air quality violations leading to lung problems and other
illnesses. Some government agencies can actually revoke an employer's business license for this
type of negligence. "The simple fear of regulatory action, decertification, citations, fines,
government de-licensing action, and even license revocation can scare a non-compliant business
owner into getting their facility up to code," states Sean Freeman, Director of Compliance.
"Strict enforcement and complying with indoor air assessment standards is the only way for an
employer to avoid getting fined or sued." He also suggested that an officer of the company
reviews their state's current requirements regarding indoor air pollution.

Radon gas causes more deaths every year than fires and carbon monoxide combined. National
Radon Action Month is the ideal time to take action and test your home, office, and school for
this lurking menace. "Testing kits are readily available from local health departments and require
just a few minutes to perform. It's a few minutes that could save your life," states Jeffery Finken
of Accredited Radon Mitigation of Pennsylvania.

http://www.radonmitigation.us
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