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It may sound like something straight out of “Star Wars,” but radon is actually a dangerous radioactive chemical that lurks far closer to home—in fact, it could be in your home right now. (Cue Darth Vader theme music.)
And there’s very good reason to learn more about this silent threat: Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America, claiming about 21,000 lives each year. As it happens, January is National Radon Action Month. To acknowledge this month, let’s review the steps on how to check your home for this deadly substance, and what to do if you find it (don’t worry, there’s no need to don a hazmat suit just yet).
What is it?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium found in nearly all soils, says Bruce Snead, director of National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above, but it can also enter your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation, where it can become trapped and build up.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some regions are more prone to radon than others, but there is no way to project whether your particular home may have an elevated level of radon, no matter where you live.