Testing for radon can save a life

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    Most homeowners are aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide and lead paint in their homes. But few know of the dangers presented by radon.
    Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless radioactive gas found in the soil. Detection can only be done through a testing procedure. Unlike carbon monoxide, which causes a person to get dizzy or feel unwell, exposure to radon will not produce an immediate side effect.
    According to Janet Campbell of Second Mile Radon Testing of Ludlow, a locally owned and independent provider of residential radon measurement, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
    “People do not normally think to test for radon, but they should,” Campbell said. “Not everyone that is exposed to radon gets lung cancer, but it is radioactive.”
    Campbell said she offers unbiased radon testing using a diffusion barrier charcoal canister, which is less affected by humidity than the more common open-face canisters.
    If a person either buying or selling a home wishes to have their property tested, state law requires the use of a registered radon tester. For existing homeowners who wish to test for radon on their own, the state of Maine website (www.maine.gov) lists companies that supply tests kits.
    Air testing kits are commonly done with a small bottle or canister that is opened for two to seven days and then resealed and sent back to the lab. Radon can also be found in wells, requiring water samples to be sent to a lab for testing.
    If a home is found to have high amounts of radon, a treatment system can be installed to lower the amount to safe levels.
    For more information on Second Mile Radon Testing, contact Campbell at 551-1787, e-mail jcsecondmile@gmail.com or visit her Facebook page.