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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Homeowners can take action now to reduce, prevent radon<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt">January is Radon Action Month, a good time to get homes tested<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As winter takes a firm, subzero hold on Oregon during January, it’s the perfect time to huddle indoors and push the thermostat up—and test your home for radon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Levels of cancer-causing radon are highest in homes during winter months. That’s because a closed house keeps radon from escaping outside. In addition, when indoor air is warmer than outside air, it creates a “chimney” or vacuum effect
that pushes the warm air out and replaces it with naturally occurring radon from the soil under a house.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s why officials with the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division’s Radon Awareness Program are reminding people during January—National Radon Action Month—to get their homes tested for the colorless, odorless gas, which is
No. 1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“There is no way to know if your house has high levels of radon unless you get your house tested,” said Curtis Cude, Oregon Radon Program manager. “The good news is that radon levels in a home can be dramatically reduced or even eliminated.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">OHA is co-sponsoring the Fifth Annual Radon Forum Northwest from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Adventist Medical Center, 10123 SE Market St., Portland. It is a public event where people can hear from radon experts about where radon
comes from; where it is found in the Portland metropolitan area; how it enters a home; the health implications; how to test for radon; and how to reduce radon levels in the home.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoking,
and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In addition, smokers are much more likely to experience lung cancer if they are also exposed to radon.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test kits can be purchased at local hardware and home improvement stores, or online from radon test kit supply companies and the American Lung Association. Many test kits are priced
between $15 and $25. Radon problems can be fixed by qualified contractors for a cost similar to that of many common home repairs, such as painting or having a new water heater installed. The best time to test for radon is during the heating season, when the
windows and doors are closed up tight. This is when you would expect to find the highest radon levels in your home.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">OHA’s radon experts will answer questions live during a Facebook chat at noon Jan. 11. To participate, go to
<a href="http://www.Facebook.com/OregonhealthAuthority">www.Facebook.com/OregonhealthAuthority</a>. OHA also has published a new video about how to test your home for radon:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ8ZKLC6P10">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ8ZKLC6P10</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For more information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, radon-resistant new construction, or to order a test kit online, visit:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>OHA’s Radon Program website, <a href="http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/HealthyNeighborhoods/RadonGas/Pages/index.aspx" target="_blank" title="oregon radon program">
<span class="ms-rtefontface-51"><span style="color:#005595">www.healthoregon.org/radon</span></span></a><span class="ms-rtefontface-51"><span style="color:black">.
</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>Radon Forum Northwest website, <a href="http://www.radonforumnorthwest.com/">
www.radonforumnorthwest.com/</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]>EPA’s radon website, <a href="https://www.epa.gov/radon">
https://www.epa.gov/radon</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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