Radon: The Silent Killer Could Be in Your Basement

Radon is a silent killer, a scentless killer, a tasteless killer - but could it be killer that exists in your very home? Radon exists because of the natural occurrence of breakdowns in the soil or uranium. It is a natural process that creates a lethal by product from the chemical breakdown.

Radon is a radioactive gas - completely undetectable without proper testing and a known carcinogen, mainly lung cancer being the effect of prolonged exposure. Radon is not strong enough to penetrate human skin therefore the air particles that you breathe in are exposed with radon, and the lungs become the prime target of the gas. From prolonged exposure the delicate tissue in the lungs and bronchial tubes become affected thereby increasing risks of developing lung cancer.

If there is exposed soil or rock in your home the risk for radon to seep into your home is great. Often, concrete block walls, exposed - or dirt floors, joints or basement drains can be creating a risk for your family.

Radon is a little known gas that is not often tested for. I became aware and weary lately because of the unfinished basement in our home with exposed basement drains, and concrete walls - of some which had cracks. You may have seen the episode of "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" and realised the gravity of the problem as well.

Homes that are of a high risk of radon exposure are homes that are built into the ground for shelter. These homes are exposed more than fifty percent to the ground soil, and rocks and often the pressure exerted upon the dwelling creates cracks and breakdowns in the building. This is when the problem may become dangerous.

Recent studies in North America and Europe have brought to light the dangers of the invisible killer. Some cities have higher levels of radon than other, but the level of radon within homes varies from dwelling to dwelling.