RADON TESTING

51% of homes in Fremont County have dangerous levels of Radon 

(http://county-radon.info/WY/Fremont.html)

EPA Recommendations:
Test your home for radon — it's easy and inexpensive.
Install a radon mitigation system in your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.

Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced.

Overview:
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can't see radon and you can't smell it or taste it but it may be a problem in your home. Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year from lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. 

Radon can be found all over the U.S.
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building — homes, offices, and schools — and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home,

where you spend most of your time.

The Risk of Living With Radon
Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years. 

Like other environmental pollutants, there is some uncertainty about the magnitude of radon health risks. However, we know more about radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances. This is because estimates of radon risks are based on studies of cancer in humans (underground miners).

Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:

• The radon levels in your home.

• The amount of time you spend in your home.

• Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked.

You should test for radon!

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes in the lowest livable area. If levels are found to be higher than 3.9 pCi/L then a radon mitigation system can be installed to lower these levels. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?
Any home may have a radon problem. Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils and bedrock. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon Gets in Through:

Cracks in solid floors - Construction joints - Cracks in walls - Gaps in

suspended floors - Gaps around service pipes - Cavities inside wall

More than 50% of homes in Fremont County, WY have elevated radon levels. Any home may have a problem. 

The only way to know about your home is to test.