One In Three Idaho Homes Have Dangerous Radon Levels

It’s National Radon Action Month, and experts say the radioactive gas is seeping into homes throughout Idaho.

The EPA says radon causes more than 20,000 deaths each year in the United States.

Radioactive radon gas seeps up from the ground, settling in homes.

The EPA says levels in Idaho are higher than in many other states.

“We have found high radon levels in every county in Idaho. Some were a lot worse than others,? State Indoor Air Quality program manager Jim Faust said.

According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, about one in three homes in Idaho have dangerously high levels of radon.

The EPA says only smoking causes more lung cancer.

“Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. You cannot see it, smell it, feel it or taste it. You can live in a home for 20 years and not know that you have high radon levels,? Faust said.

The only way to tell if a house has radon is to test it, and experts said it doesn’t matter if a home is new or old, any home can be vulnerable.

“Somebody in your subdivision tested and their house were low? Doesn’t matter, your house could be high. We’ve even found houses right next to each other, one was low and one was high. Doesn’t matter. So you should test your home. Everybody should test their home, everybody,? Faust said.

Faust said people throughout Idaho are often unaware of just how dangerous radon can be, and how widespread the problem is.

He said if more people become aware and start testing, lives will be saved.

“Please test your home for radon. Protect your family,” Faust said.

For more information on radon, click here or visit http://id-radon.info/ID_general.html.