radon-related stories
Home Hazards: When kitchen counters kill
HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Not all granite countertops are dangerous, but have the potential to be. What can you do to protect yourself? Test the merchandise before you buy it by hiring a certified technician to measure your radiation levels or picking up a DIY tester from the Environmental Protection Agency.
(Via Crabby McSlacker)
Radon risk at highest in winter months
Healthy Home, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness
The forecasted high temperature for tomorrow is 17 degrees where I live. Let me say that again, the forecasted HIGH temperature for tomorrow is 17 degrees. Here in New England, this isn't entirely uncommon for this time of year, but it is certainly a sign that those extra couple of weeks of warm weather we experienced back on October won't be returning any time soon. That also means that we have to be mindful of such known dangers as frostbite and exposure. However, the winter months bring with them an added risk, one that we are not always as quick to take into account.
With our doors and windows closed, most homes have less ventilation than they may during warmer months. As a result, if a home contains high levels of radon, this cancer-causing, airborne gas may get trapped within the walls of your home.
One of the greatest dangers of radon is that it is virtually undetectable; it can't be seen, smelled or tasted. The best way to test your home's radon level is by purchasing a special test kit or by hiring a professional to perform the measurement. Not only is it inexpensive to test for radon, it is also well worth the investment. Each year, more than 21,000 people die from lung cancer related to radon exposure.
For more information, visit www.epa.gov/iaq/radon
Get cleaner indoor air with these six easy steps
Healthy Habits, Healthy Home, Diet & Weight Loss
Have you ever thrown open your windows on the first warm day of spring to drink in that fresh, crisp air? You may be doing more than invigorating your senses, you're also improving the air quality in your home. Indoor air quality can be significantly poorer than the air you breathe outside because of household cleaning products, mold, dust mites and other indoor pollutants. Prevention has six simple steps you can take to breathe easier inside your home, including:
