January is named ‘National Radon Action Month? by the Environmental Protection Agency, which calls for homes to be inspected for the invisible, odorless gas.
According to the EPA, 1 in 15 homes in the US could have high amounts of radon, which is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
Radon ranks as the leading cause of death in non-smokers and kills more Americans each year than the combined number of deaths caused by fires, carbon monoxide and handguns.
Radon can get into buildings through cracks and gaps in the walls.
Testing for radon is an easy and inexpensive process. Area contractors also provide the service.
Steve Cross from Cross Inspection said certain areas of Michigan, including Clarkston, have high radon levels.
When Cross performs a home inspection, one of the services prospective homeowners can include is radon testing.
To conduct the test, Cross uses two charcoal filled canisters placed on the lower level of the structure. No doors or windows can be opened in the building for the prior 48-hours. He sends samples to New York to be tested.
‘I usually have the test back in two days,? he said.
If radon is found in your home, the EPA recommends having a contractor qualified to handle radon fix the problem. Do-it-yourself kits are also available at local hardware stores.
For more information, visit www.epa.org. To contact Cross Inspection, visit crossinspection.com or call 248-842-6384.