I have a good friend who is facing an early death from lung cancer. With no history of smoking or cancer in her family, she tested her home for radon and discovered levels over five times the EPA recommended maximum. I know there’s some disagreement about what levels of radon radiation cause lung cancer and how it relates to smoking, but the test kit is only ~$10 while her hospital bills will go a half-million…with no guarantees.
She’s doing chemo and radiation with hopes of shrinking the tumor enough to have it removed. Odds are not good, but she’s smart and tough, with a new baby she’d like to see grow up and a ruthlessly upbeat cheering section.
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Best wishes to your friend during her long travails. She is far to young to be facingsuch horrible odds.
I have a 90 year old home I am renovating and have often thought about radon testing and the risks radon might pose, especially with 3 young kids. Your thread has reminded me of a long overdue task, one I will take care of this weekend.. Thank you.
"Your thread has reminded me of a long overdue task, one I will take care of this weekend.. "
Pino,
Yeah, me too. We live in an area with VERY HIGH, very random radon concentrations. Did a little research a couple years ago on the topic of testing.
Make sure you test with the long term canister test (30 days minimum and 6 months to a year optimally). Not that you shouldn't also with the short term if it makes you feel better. Radon levels can vary a great deal. It's the long term average, not the level for 2 or 3 days that matters. Kind of like checking the temperature outside.
thanks for the info, I will follow your advice.