National Radon Action Month and Simple Ways to Test a Home, Office or School for This Invisible Threat

January has been designated as National Radon Action Month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency reports that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the United States and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year, only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released in rock, soil and water that can build up to dangerous levels inside a home or other buildings; this includes new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without a basement states the EPA. This can occur because radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into a home or building through cracks and other holes in the foundation. While radon from soil gas is the main cause of problems, in some situations, radon can also enter the home through well water.

Knowing the radon level in a home, school or office where people spend a considerable amount of time is important because when building occupants breathe in radon, radioactive particles from radon gas can get trapped in their lungs. Over time, these radioactive particles that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted increase the risk of lung cancer and it may take years before health problems appear.

“According to the EPA, homes with high levels of radon have been found in every state and radon levels can also vary greatly from home to home or building to building,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Both the U.S. Surgeon General and EPA urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon. Fortunately, testing a home or building is affordable and if it has a problem, it can be fixed.”

To identify exposure risks to radon, EMSL Analytical provides radon testing services and easy-to-use test kits. The radon specialists have also recently sponsored an educational video about National Radon Action Month that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/SAOP0zz6yjo.

To learn more about testing for radon or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ), occupational, health and safety exposure risks, please visit www.EMSL.com or www.RadonTestingLab.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . To access radon and IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail