Radon - Poses Silent Threat

Louisiana Radon Survey Locations of houses above 4 pico-Curies/Liter (exceeding EPA action level for radon)

Fortunately, survey and study results show that Louisiana ranks second to last in the United States in radon levels, followed by Hawaii.

The increased risk of developing lung cancer from radon is directly related to the concentration of radon and the length of time that a person is exposed to it. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are between 5,000 and 30,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths each year. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, according to EPA.

Studies throughout the country indicate that millions of homes in America may have elevated radon levels. You can determine the radon level in your home by obtaining a test kit and conducting the test over a period of two or three days.

Information on radon, the test kit, and suppliers of test kits may be obtained by calling the DEQ Radon Hotline, 1-800-256-2494, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Although Louisiana overall does not have a significant radon problem, the only way to determine if a house has elevated indoor radon is to test.

DEQ's Office of Air Quality and Radiation Protection has participated for the past three years in EPA's State Indoor Radon Grant Program. As part of the program, a survey in 1990 showed that only 0.8 percent of the 1,314 Louisiana homes tested exceeded the EPA action level for radon. Survey results for radon in below-grade buildings and in drinking water were also very low for Louisiana.

In addition to being passed up through the ground, radon can enter a home through its water supply. If you drink water that is contaminated with radon, the EPA believes there is no real threat. However, radon gas can escape from the water and either create or add to a potential radon problem.

Radon is emitted from radium, which is created from the natural breakdown of uranium. In its original form, radon gas is inert - it can be breathed in and out again with no harmful effects. However, within 30 minutes of the formation of radon, its natural decay process begins to form tiny radioactive particles, commonly called "the daughters of radon."

The "daughters" attach themselves to dust and smoke in the air. Once they are breathed into the lungs, they lodge themselves into the walls of the lungs and, because of their natural radioactivity, begin to emit bursts of radiation that can destroy the cells of the lungs.