World Health Organization (WHO) Sets Radon Action Level of 2.7 – Less Lung Cancer Risk Than EPA 4.0
| The World Health Organization has released their Handbook on Indoor Radon which strongly validates the worldwide threat of exposure to radon gas. WHO now suggests that homeowners take action when radon levels exceed 2.7 pCi/l.? |
Radon Gas – Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release)
Sep 22, 2009 – Radon gas has been identified as the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers according to recent studies conducted throughout the world.? The World Health Organization states that as many as 14% of the lung cancer cases in many countries (including the United States) are caused by exposure to radon gas.These recent findings have lead to the establishment of a new standard for action of 2.7 for indoor radon levels.
The World Health Organization has released their Handbook on Indoor Radon which strongly validates the worldwide threat of exposure to radon gas. According to handbook, WHO has been studying the effects of radon exposure since 1979. Although radon was classified as a human carcinogen in 1988, it took over 20-years of sound research and real-life studies from all over the world to confirm the true magnitude of the risk radon poses. Based on the results of these studies, WHO now suggests that homeowners take action when radon levels exceed 2.7 pCi/l. This is a much more conservative figure than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA’s) action level of 4.0 pCi/l, which has been the U.S. standard for over 20-years.
More than 100 scientists from 30 countries have participated in the World Health Organization International Radon Project since 2005 which has lead to the publishing of the WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon this year. The book is a useful resource for concerned homeowners or anyone who wants to learn more about the toxic carcinogen known as radon.It outlines the years of research and the very conclusive findings that have triggered a push for stricter legislation and construction practices that will reduce the risk of indoor radon exposure to the general population. You can download a copy of the WHO Radon Handbook here: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241547673 …
The United Nations also broke new ground in the international fight on radon-induced lung cancer earlier this year when they released their acknowledgment of the radon problems throughout the world. ?They analyzed both residential studies as well as extrapolated data from underground miner studies to confirm the previously understated radon risk.? ?Their findings are documented in The U.N. Assessment for Radon in Homes and Workplaces: http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/2006/09-81160_Report …
April 2009 – Eagle Environmental Launches a new online video, to demonstrate how a Radon Mitigation System works. The demonstration is a great tool to showing perspecitve customers how a radon system may be installed and operated in a home and helps to educate the homeowner on the dangers of radon in your basement.? Radon System in Action
“..Ms. Hoffmann of Milwaukee was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003 at age 37. She never smoked and had no family history of lung cancer. Curious as to the cause, her father tested her home of 15+ years for radon. It measured 8.6 picocuries per liter, over twice EPA’s current 4 pCi/L Action Level. She underwent surgery to remove the mass and lower left lobe and has since battled through re-occurrences in 2006 and 2008.
Radon is a serious issue and home owners need to have protection against this “deadly killer!”
Continue reading…
Colorless, odorless but extremely dangerous: RADON GAS (Radon222 on the periodic chart) Unlike other environmental hazards such as hazardous waste or asbestos, radon is a naturally occurring radioactive hazard. The Surgeon General has stated that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking and that every house should be tested for radon gas. However, many people think that they are immune to having radon. They believe that if they don’t have rock ledge in their back yard or if they have a walkout basement or slab on grade house they won’t have a radon problem. Well, this is not true. Radon has been found in all types of houses and in every state in the USA (see E.P.A radon zone map). We have seen very high levels of radon in houses on Cape Cod, where as far as you can dig the soil is sand.
Continue reading…
98
Back to top