National Radon Action Month takes place during the month of January and is recognized in Puerto Rico and throughout the rest of the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that this is the time to test, fix and save a life.
Both the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon. Taking action to test a property is important as the EPA reports that although there are no immediate symptoms from exposure to radon, exposure in the indoor air over time is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually.
Lung cancer can occur due to prolonged exposure because radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, and can get into the air people breathe indoors. Radon can even enter a building through well water. This is due to the fact that radon can dissolve into the water supply according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency states, “While most radon-related deaths are due to radon gas accumulated in houses from seepage through cracks in the foundation, 30 to 1,800 deaths per year are attributed to radon from household water. High levels of dissolved radon are found in the groundwater in some areas flowing through granite or granitic sand and gravel formations. If you live in an area with high radon in groundwater it can get into your private well. Showering, washing dishes and laundering can disturb the water and release radon gas into the air you breathe.”
“Awareness of potential hazards associated with elevated radon levels is not where it needs to be in Puerto Rico and other places in the Caribbean that are susceptible to exposure risks,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “The U.S. Geological Survey has reported that several areas in Puerto Rico have the geologic potential to generate locally high indoor radon levels if housing conditions are favorable for its entry and accumulation. This is why at Zimmetry Environmental we have a licensed radon inspector that can test the indoor air or water from private wells for the presence of radon. If issues are found, there are mitigation techniques to prevent elevated radon levels from accumulating in a property or to remove radon from well water before it enters a building.”
Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about radon and private wells in support of National Radon Action Month. It can be seen at: https://youtu.be/z-ZomIX4wTk
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their radon, indoor air quality, environmental, occupational, and compliance consulting and testing services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com.
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
Article Source: https://www.environmental-expert.com/news/national-radon-action-month-in-puerto-rico-and-identifying-sources-in-air-and-water-786307
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