VA's Radon Problem: How To Make Sure Your Home Is Safe

VIRGINIA — The cancer-causing gas radon can be found in about 25 percent of Virginia homes, according to the American Lung Association and state environmental officials.

January is National Radon Action Month, with environmental officials reminding residents to check their homes. And The American Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer Report” includes in-home radon testing data at a state-by-state level.

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas with no color, odor or taste - and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America, behind smoking. It can seep into homes and buildings through the soil.

“Some geographical areas naturally have higher average radon levels than others, but since any home can be at risk for elevated levels, the only way to know is to do a test,” the ALA said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action if interior radon levels are at or above 4 pCi/L ("picoCuries" per liter of air), to reduce exposure to the gas. These measures should also be considered at levels at or above 2 pCi/L.

In Virginia, an estimated 25.2 percent of radon test results were at or above the action level recommended by EPA. This is in the middle of the scale nationally — Hawaii had the lowest percentage of households testing over the recommended action level at 0.4 percent, and South Dakota had the highest at 59.8 percent.

“Although radon can be found anywhere, some parts of Maryland have soil that make radon more likely. Basement and first floors typically have the highest Radon levels because of their closeness to the ground,” the state health department said.

The Virginia Department of Health recommends getting a radon test, no matter where you live. A limited supply of short-term, do-it-yourself radon test kits are available through the state for a $3 shipping fee. This offer is good from October 1 to April 30, or until the available supply of test kits runs out.Order your test kits at: http://www.vdhradon.org.

The “State of Lung Cancer” report also examines rates of new lung cancer cases, survival, early diagnosis, treatment, and screening among different states. The American Lung Association said, “Despite the early diagnosis rate in Virginia falling into the average tier, the state still has a lot of work to do to make sure that more of those at high risk for lung cancer are screened.”