January is National Radon Awareness Month

National Radon Awareness Month comes annually the first month of the year, January. Radon is so toxic that the Environmental Protection Agency dedicates a whole month to educating people on the dangers of radon gas. The Environmental Protection Agency runs a national poster contest for children in order to build a group of well educated children who are armed with the knowledge and power to advocate against the toxic, cancer-causing gas. There are also local organizations that sponsor similar poster contests. The 3rd place winner of the contest sponsored by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the American Lung Association in Illinois (ALA-IL) encouraged her family to test for radon. Her family's home tested more than 15 times higher than the EPA's recommended safe level! Read more about the amazing story here. 

So, what makes radon so dangerous? Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, and is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It can enter the home through cracks and pores in concrete slabs and foundations, exposed soil from a sump pump or crawlspace, lose fitting pipe penetration, and sometimes poorly filtered water. 

The best thing you can do to protect your home, family, and pets is to get your home tested for radon, and spread the word to protect others in your neighborhood. MidAmerica Basement Systems offers easy-to-use self test kits, and free radon mitigation estimates. Call us today to get your free estimate or purchase a radon test kit to keep your home healthy, and your family safe.