Keeping your home safe is likely one of your highest priorities, especially if you’re raising a family. But you may not know about some things that endanger your home; for example, radon gas.

Radon is a radioactive gas that can lead to lung cancer. Radon does appear naturally, which means that there is a level of radon gas in your home that is expected and acceptable. However, once radon goes above a certain level, your household will be at risk.

Because many people don’t know about the dangers of radon gas, January has been named National Radon Action Month in order to help generate awareness. Here are five facts you should know about radon:

1. Radon can’t be detected by humans – Because radon can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, it’s important you test the level of radon in your home. Radon is measured by pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air). The average indoor radon concentration is 1.3 pCi/L.
2. Radon is natural – The release of radon gas is caused by the normal decay of elements such as uranium, radium, and thorium, all of which are found in rocks and soil. 
3. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer – Radon is the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers. Many studies have also linked radon to childhood leukemia.
4. Testing for radon is easy – It’s as easy as placing a test kit in the right place, letting it sit between 2-7 days, and then sending it off to the address on the package. You’ll receive the results in about two weeks. The EPA suggests that radon levels should be no more than 2 pCI/L, while the U.S. Surgeon General recommends attention to radon levels above 4 pCi/L. 
5. You can fix high radon levels – There are radon mitigators that can help address high levels of radon in your home and lower them to a safe level.

Be sure to test your home for radon and keep visiting us at The Benefits Store to stay up-to-date with all the latest health news.