Raleigh Radon Blog

We've updated our Triangle-Area Map of Elevated Radon Levels.  Please note: the map below only shows "Page 1" of the markers.  To ensure that you're seeing all of the markers and associated street names, be sure to view the Google Map, and scroll down to view "Page 2."

Click here to directly access the complete Google Map of Elevated Radon Levels.



View Elevated Radon Levels in a larger map.

Yesterday, the federal government formally announced its Federal Radon Action Plan at the National Healthy Homes Conference in Denver, Colorado.

As the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, radon exposure is an important national public health issue.  This Action Plan is the first interagency collaboration to combine federal radon efforts into a single strategic approach for reducing radon-related health risks.

According to the U.S. EPA, the new federal actions will:

• - Demonstrate the importance, feasibility, and value of radon testing and mitigation.
• - Provide policy, administrative, and economic incentives to encourage those who have sufficient resources to test and mitigate, and provide direct support to reduce the risk for those who lack sufficient resources.

- Build demand for services from the professional, nationwide radon services industry.

Read the full text, "Protecting People and Families from Radon: A Federal Action Plan for Saving Lives (PDF)":

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/Federal_Radon_Action_Plan.pdf

Learn more about the National Healthy Homes Conference:

http://www.healthyhomesconference.org/

Cold weather is finally upon us and Winter is almost officially here!  If you've thought about testing your home for radon in the past but never got around to it, winter is a great time to finally do it!  Here are a few reasons:

1. Closed-house conditions are easy to maintain.

In the summertime, many homeowners like to open their windows and let fresh air flow through their house.  Many also keep their front door open, allowing the storm door to let natural light in.  Others turn on ceiling fans to create a cooling 'breeze.'  Unfortunately for those homeowners, short-term radon tests require that windows and doors remain closed and ceiling fans remain off for the duration of the test.

This time of year, homeowners most likely won't have to alter any of their habits during the radon testing period.  They're already making the effort to keep doors and windows securely shut in order to keep the cold air out and the warm air in.

2. Scheduling is more flexible.

The majority of our clients are home buyers who want to test the home they're purchasing for radon.  As real estate sales slow down in the wintertime, our schedule becomes more flexible.  We can conduct the radon test when it's most convenient for you!

3. Raleigh Radon has a December promotion!

The slower real estate market in the winter has a second benefit to our clients: more radon monitors are readily available.  Generally, one continuous radon monitor is used to test for radon in the lowest level of a home.  However, more than one monitor can be used to compare radon levels in different areas of the home.  

During the month of December, we'll test a second location in your home at no additional charge.  

Have you wondered about how radon levels vary between the basement and main level of the house? Curious about how your granite countertops affect the radon levels? Take advantage of our wintertime offer!  We'll test two locations and provide you with two complete reports, each with 48 hourly measurements.

Everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but did you know that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month?

Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) is a national campaign dedicated to increasing awareness and bringing much-needed attention to a disease that each year takes more lives than breast, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers combined.

With radon being the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, we (at Raleigh Radon) are dedicated to fighting the disease that is often overlooked.

Throughout the month, I'll be blogging about lung cancer issues and awareness.  You'll be amazed (just like I am) about how little funding is going toward prevention and treatment. You'll also be amazed by the strength and courage of lung cancer survivors and advocates.

So, what can you do to support Lung Cancer Awareness Month?

Join us at the Free to Breathe 5k on Saturday, November 6th.

This inspiring, family-friendly 5k is organized by the NC Lung Cancer Partnership and is being held at NCSU Centennial Campus.  You can register at the event this Saturday for just $25 per person. You'll receive a free event tshirt, and there will be lots of goodies and give-aways from sponsors (including Raleigh Radon!).  Increase your own lung cancer awareness, and support lung cancer research funding and advocacy.

Now that it's officially Fall, it's officially fundraising 5K season!  While there are many Triangle-area 5K's that promote worthwhile causes, there are two in particular that I hope you'll support - the LUNGevity Cary Walk for Hope and the Free to Breathe 5K.  As you know, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and both of these events raise money for lung cancer awareness and research.



 LUNGevity Cary Walk for Hope    
October 10th (Sunday)

Organized by the LUNGevity Foundation, this race takes place at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

The mission of the LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful and immediate impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients, and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer.

The LUNGevity Foundation hopes to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer.  For more information about the foundation or to register for the event, please visit their website.




Free to Breathe 5K    
November 6th (Saturday)

This Free to Breathe event includes a 5K and 1-mile run/walk and rally at NC State University's Centennial Campus.  The Free to Breathe events are organized by the National Lung Cancer Partnership, a group of survivors, advocates, and healthcare professionals dedicated to fighting lung cancer.

This race is part of the 8th annual Second Empire Grand Prix, a series of 9 races in which runners earn points towards awards given at the end of the 2010 Grand Prix.

Learn more about the Free to Breathe 5K and the Second Empire Grand Prix.

As of yesterday, Raleigh Radon has a LEED Green Associate on board!

What's a LEED Green Associate, you ask?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a system for certifying high-performance (green) buildings and sustainable neighborhoods.  It was established by the U.S. Green Building Council to promote sustainable design and construction, raise consumer awareness of green building benefits, transform the building market, promote integrated, while building design practices, etc.

LEED Green Associate is a professional credential awarded to members of the green building industry who "possess the knowledge and skills to understand and support green design, construction, and operations."

Raleigh Radon is an advocate for green building and the triple bottom line. Not only does green building conserve natural resources and improve air and water quality, it reduces operating and life-cycle costs and contributes to overall quality of life.

Triangle-area businesses are supporting green building and earning LEED certifications:

Raleigh Convention Center

Mez Contemporary Mexican Restaurant (1st LEED certified restaurant in NC)

UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing - Carrington Hall addition

EPA National Computer Center

EPA National Computing Center, RTP, NC Photo: Bill Touchberry

We're excited!  This Saturday, I'll be attending the first NC Lung Cancer Advocacy Summit at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill.  It'll be a great chance to meet lung cancer survivors and their family members, health care professionals, and other lung cancer advocates.

The event is sponsored by the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership, which is an incredible organization "committed to decreasing deaths due to lung cancer and helping patients live longer and better through research, awareness, and advocacy."

I'll be posting some valuable information that I learn on Saturday on the blog - stay tuned!  Until then, learn more about the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership here!