Radon Warning

Surgeon General Renews Radon Warning
By Associated PressJanuary 13, 2005, 12:42 PM ESTWASHINGTON -- The surgeon general is reminding Americans to have their homes checked for radon. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona issued the reminder Thursday during a workshop on maintaining a healthy indoor environment. "Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the county," Carmona said. The warning estimated that 20,000 Americans die of radon-related lung cancer annually. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas, results from the breakdown of uranium within the earth. The radioactive gas works its way up through the ground and enters homes and offices. Simple test kits are available to check radon levels and if too much is present it can be removed by inexpensive venting, Carmona noted. * __ On the Net: EPA Radon web site: www.epa.gov/radon
Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press
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