What is the New National Radon Plan?
Have you ever heard of radon? Most people haven’t. Radon is an invisible and odorless gas that causes 21,000 lung deaths yearly. Nearly all soils consist of uranium, which breaks down over time to produce radon gas. It seeps out of soils into the air and buildings and homes. Organizations, such as the American Lung Association, took a major step to put an end to this second leading cause of lung cancer. They have been battling the fight against radon for years, but now they have a new agenda and plan.
By working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and other national partners, the American Lung Association has developed the National Radon Action Plan: A Strategy for Saving Lives. This plan consists of four key approaches to lowering radon exposure and 14 methods to accomplish them. Their mission is to save lives by reducing radon in homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and other places. By the year 2020, the American Lung Association is hoping to eliminate lung cancer deaths caused by radon gas.
A few key strategies include:
- Require radon testing and systems as standard practice for housing finance and insurance programs
- Implement radon risk reduction requirements in building codes
In addition to the American Lung Association, other organizations are dedicated to implementing these changes, such as the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, the American Society of Home Inspectors, the Environmental Law Institute, and the National Center for Healthy Housing.
What Can Be Done To Protect Yourself Against Radon?
If you have high levels of radon in your home or building, Jerry’s Waterproofing is licensed with the States of Nebraska and Iowa to provide radon testing in homes and buildings. Since radon enters structures through cracks, we can seal cracks in walls, floors, foundations, and other openings. This will help direct the flow of air into the structure. The most common radon mitigation we use is a sub-slab depressurization system. A negative vent system is installed below the foundation that extends up to the ground level.
The experts at Jerry’s Waterproofing can provide radon information to help keep you and your family safe.