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Nine federal agencies have joined forces to develop a Federal Radon Action Plan that will target the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. A colorless, odorless gas, radon causes an estimated 21,000 cancer deaths each year. While the announcement was short on details, two goals are to raise awareness of radon dangers and to create jobs for radon testing and mitigation.
"This Action Plan represents an historic interagency cooperation with the potential to reduce exposure to radon, including for people and families that do not have the resources to make the simple fixes necessary to protect their loved ones," the Environmental Protection Agency announced on its website.
One in 15 homes has elevated radon levels, according to the EPA. The agency recommends running a radon test every two years. You can start with a short-term test. You can buy a test kit at many home-improvement stores. In Consumer Reports' tests of short-term kits, we found only one—the RTCA 4 Pass Charcoal Canister $20—accurate enough to recommend.
If you need remediation, call your state radon office to find a qualified tester and for state and local information on radon. You can also call the national radon hotlines at 1-800-S0S-RADON (1-800-767-7236) or 1-866-730-GREEN. For more information, read A Citizen's Guide to Radon.
—Mary H.J. Farrell
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