Radon: The Invisible Danger In Your Home
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Radon: The Invisible Danger In Your Home

According to the American Lung Association, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and results in about 21,000 deaths annually.

A naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground, radon can enter a home through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations and other openings. The fact that radon is invisible, odorless and tasteless makes it particularly dangerous as you may live with it for years and not even know it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates about 1 in 15 American homes have elevated levels of radon. 

The only way to know if there’s radon in your home is to test for it. Fortunately, testing is easy. There are kits available that let you conduct your own test, or you can hire a qualified radon testing company.

Kits can be purchased at most home-improvement and hardware stores, through online retailers. It’s important to follow the directions on the packaging for the proper placement of the device and where to send the device after the test to find out your radon level.

 

Free Radon Test Kits for Vermont Residents

If you are a Vermont resident, you can request a free radon kit by:

 

If you prefer to hire a professional to do radon testing or to fix a radon problem in your home, be sure they are certified by one of the following organizations:

  1. American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists/National Radon Proficiency Program (AARST/NRPP) 

  2. The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)

You can find a list of radon professionals in your state here.

No matter how you choose to test, if your results reveal a high level of radon (exceeding 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), you need to take action.

In some cases, fixes may be a matter of DIY, such as sealing cracks in the foundation, improving your home’s ventilation and creating room pressurization with fans. However, the EPA recommends anyone with elevated levels of radon engage with a qualified radon mitigation contractor. Depending upon the levels in your home, you may need a radon mitigation system, which consists of a vent pipe, fan and the proper sealing of cracks.

Even if your home tests at a safe level, you should consider getting a radon detector. Available online and in home and hardware stores, detectors are portable, easy to use and can alert you when radon levels creep into the danger zone.

For detailed information about radon reduction in your home visit the EPA's Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction.

 

Sean Burns, MD, is the SVMC EMS Medical Director/District 12 Medical Advisor. 

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What to Expect During Your Outpatient Visit

Now that cases of COVID-19 in the state have plateaued and Governor Phil Scott has given the go-ahead to resume elective procedures, the physicians and nurses at Southwestern Vermont Health Care are eager to provide the elective procedures that were postponed at the onset of the pandemic.

At the same time, we recognize that we need to implement enhanced precautions to ensure safety. See news about the universal safety precautions we are taking here.

Two areas in particular, outpatient surgery and diagnostics (which include the lab and imaging departments), have put additional precautions in place to ensure patient and staff safety.

Outpatient Surgery

3 – 4 Days Before Procedure. Patients will be given directions to get a drive-up swab test for COVID-19. The test should be conducted 3 – 4 days before your surgery. There is no out-of-pocket charge. Patients are given a cloth mask and are asked to wear it and self-isolate until surgery. Results for most tests are expected to be negative. Your surgeon will be in touch with you if there is a positive result. Procedures for those who have tested positive will be rescheduled.

Day of Procedure. Patients should come to the procedure alone, unless they need to be accompanied for safety reasons. Both patients and companions should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital. They are screened for symptoms at the main entrance. Patients will be given a medical-grade procedure mask to wear once they are checked into the unit.

Post Procedure. After the procedure, we will continue to be available to you. You will be provided a link that can be accessed via your cell phone or Internet. The link includes a brief questionnaire to help us assess your progress and guide you to a smooth recovery.

Diagnostic Imaging and Lab Work

Like those receiving an outpatient procedure, every imaging patient will be screened over the phone before arriving at the hospital. Lab patients with appointments will also be pre-screened on the phone. All patients should come for lab and imaging alone, unless a support person is needed for safety reasons. Patients should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital and for the entire duration of their stay. Patients are screened again at the main entrance.

Patients will notice some changes in the waiting rooms. Chairs have been spaced 6 feet apart to comply with social distancing. Reading material has been removed to discourage touching things that have been touched by others. In addition, the exam rooms are being deep cleaned after every patient, and the waiting rooms and high-traffic areas are disinfected hourly.

The clinical professionals at SVHC are confident that these measures, along with continued social distancing, will allow patients to receive the care they need in a safe and timely way.

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