Invisible, Odorless, Tasteless: Kentucky Radon Awareness Michael J. Garen © 2015 Invisible, Odorless, Tasteless: Kentucky Radon Awareness Radon Myth Busters!

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon is a harmless gas. Image: Clipart, 150130

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon is a harmless gas. FALSE – Radon is a radioactive gas, released during the natural decay of the element uranium. Radon is a Class A Human Carcinogen. Radon is invisible, odorless and tasteless.

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country. Image: https://openclipart.org/detail/33871/united-states-map-by-bnielsen, 150121 Image: Openclipart.org bnielsen

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country. FALSE - High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know your radon level is to test for radon.

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Scientists are not sure radon really is a problem. NO! YES! Image: https://openclipart.org/detail/166341/people-talking-bubbles-by-palomaironique, 150121 Image: People-044-Talking-Bubblle, paleos-blog.blogspot.com

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Scientists are not sure radon really is a problem. FALSE - Although scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all major health organizations agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers. Image: People-044-Talking-Bubblle, paleos-blog.blogspot.com

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? I have lived in my home for so long, it doesn’t make sense to take action now. Image: Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction, EPA 402/K-10/002 Image: Clipart, 141208

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? I’ve lived in my home for so long, it doesn’t make sense to take action now. FALSE - You will reduce your risk of lung cancer from radon when you reduce radon levels, even if you have lived with a radon problem for a long time. Image: Clipart, 141208

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. Image: Clipart 141219 Image: Clipart, 150128

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. FALSE - Radon testing is inexpensive and easy – it should take only a little of your time. Image: Clipart 141219 Radon test kits are free in Kentucky. Image: Clipart, 150128

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon test kits are not reliable and are difficult to find. Image: Clipart, 150128

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon test kits are not reliable and are difficult to find. FALSE - Reliable radon test kits are available through the mail, in hardware stores and other retail outlets. Radon test kits are available for free in Kentucky. Image: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Homes with radon problems cannot be fixed. Image: A Citizen’s Guide to Radon, EPA 402/K-09/001, January 2009

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Homes with radon problems cannot be fixed. FALSE - There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Radon levels can be readily lowered. Thousands of homeowners have already reduced radon levels in their homes. Call the state radon office for a list of contractors that have met EPA requirements or are state certified. Image: Steve Baczek, Architect, Fine Homebuilding 244, pp.86-87, May 14, 2014

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon only affects certain kinds of homes. 2015 National Radon Poster Contest, National Winner, 2nd Place, Hawaii, 1st Place, Teah, Kapolei, HI

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Radon only affects certain kinds of homes. FALSE - House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, homes without basements. The National Radon Program Services’ National second place winner, from Kapolei, Hawaii, and the first place winner from Hawaii. 2015 National Radon Poster Contest, National Winner, 2nd Place, Hawaii, 1st Place, Teah, Kapolei, HI

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? A neighbor’s test result is a good indication of whether your home has a problem. Image: Building Radon Out, EPA/402-K-01-002, April 2001

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? A neighbor’s test result is a good indication of whether your home has a problem. FALSE - A neighbor’s radon test has no bearing on the radon level of your home. Radon levels vary from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test for radon. Image: Building Radon Out, EPA/402-K-01-002, April 2001

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Short-term tests can’t be used for making a decision about whether to reduce radon in your home. Image: Clipart, 150122 Image: Clipart, 150122

Radon Myth Busters! True or False? Short-term tests can’t be used for making a decision about whether to reduce radon in your home. FALSE – A short-term test followed by a second short-term test can be used to decide whether to reduce radon levels in your home. A short-term test followed by a second short-term test* can be used to decide whether to reduce radon levels in your home. However, the closer the average of your two short-term tests is to 4.0 pCi/L, the less certain you can be about whether your year-round average is above or below that level. Keep in mind that radon levels below 4.0 pCi/L still pose some risk. Radon levels can be reduced in most home to 2.0 pCi/L or below. *If the radon test is part of a real estate transaction, the result of two short-term tests can be used in deciding whether to mitigate. For more information, see EPA’s “Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon.” Source: A Citizen’s Guide to Radon, EPA 402/K-09/001, January 2009 Image: Clipart, 150122

The program, Invisible, Odorless, Tasteless: Kentucky Radon Awareness, and Radon Myth Busters! were produced under a grant from the Kentucky Department for Public Health in partnership with the University of Kentucky Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. Michael J. Garen © 2015

References Environmental Protection Agency A Citizen’s Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon, EPA 402-8-12- 002, May 2012 Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon, EPA 402/K-13/002, September 2013 Reducing Radon Risks, EPA 520/1-89-027, September 1992 Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home, EPA 402/K-10-005, March 2013 Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build Radon-Resistant Homes, EPA/402-k-01-002, April 2001 (pdf) Radon: A Physician’s Guide, 402-K-93-008, September 1993 EPA Map of Radon Zones, http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html Pennsylvania Home with High Radon Level http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-10-08/news/8703160117_1_stanley-watras-radon-hot-spots-reading-prong http://activerain.trulia.com/blogsview/1100259/have-you-heard-the-story-of-stanley-watras- http://articles.mcall.com/1986-03-07/news/2509368_1_radon-levels-stanley-watras-uranium-ore http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2012/01/radon-may-be-radioactive-and-cause-cancer-but-can-it-set-off-alarms-in-a-nuclear-power-plant/

Beverly K. Miller, MArch, Architect Agriculture Extension Associate Senior January 2015 Copyright © 2015 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.