The Quality of Air You Breathe Determines Your Health

As the nation continues to deal with the greatest threat to the economy and health, it should come as no surprise that there are also many kinds of previous concerns that are still important. As a result, it is important to note that there is an increasing interest in electric vehicles. From the first time purchase of an electric car to the desire to help lobby for more electric vehicle charging stations in a city, there are many ways to join this trend that encourages people to reconsider the use of fossil fuels.
Fortunately, in addition to the advantages these electric cars provide to the environment, there are also some economic advantages as well. The drop in the amount of money that is needed to buy gasoline is obvious, but many drivers are not aware that there are also federal tax cuts and incentives that can make buying an electrical vehicle a wise decision.
Access to electric vehicle charging stations can be one of the biggest challenges to switching to electric. A home charging station, of course, is a given when you make the purchase of a new electric vehicle. Having access to charging stations away from home is equally important. As more and more communities create spaces for city center charging stations, it is important to know that locations have carefully been researched.
In addition to the worry about the cleanliness of the air that people breathe outside, of course, it is also important to make sure that the air inside buildings is healthy as well. In a time of increased discussions about proper air flow and healthy ventilation because of the threat of Covid 19, it is also important to note that there is an invisible and odorless problem that many commercial and residential buildings have: radon.
Commercial and Residential Radon Testing Remains an Important Safety Feature
The Surgeon General continues to warn that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General’s Office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year are caused by radon. Fortunately, with residential radon testing and the necessary mitigation strategies like sump pump installation, many home owners are able to ensure that the air their family breathes is safe.
Consider some of these other facts about the importance of residential radon testing, as well as the most common radon mitigation and abatement services that are available:

• Nearly one in three homes checked in seven states and on three Indian lands had screening levels over 4 pCi/L, the EPA’s recommended action level for radon exposure, according to the EPA.
• To put these levels into perspective, a family whose home has radon levels of 4 pCi/l is being exposed to approximately 35 times as much radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would allow if that family was standing next to the fence of a radioactive waste site.
• Residential radon testing systems that are considered short-term detectors measure radon levels for two days to 90 days, depending on the device.
• In comparison, long-term tests determine the average concentration for more than 90 days.
• In an increasing number of states and in order to get certain kinds of home loans, radon testing must be first completed and problems must be metigated. And given that scientists estimate that lung cancer deaths could be reduced by 2% to 4%, representing nearly 5,000 deaths, by lowering radon levels in homes exceeding the EPA’s action level, this testing is an important measure.
• Unfortunately, too often these tests are not even used. This is discouraging because even passive systems of mitigation have been shown to be capable of reducing indoor radon levels by more than 50%. When radon ventilation fans are added, however, the radon levels can even be reduced further.
• The risk of lung cancer increases by 16% per 100 Bq/m increase in long time average radon concentration, so it is important to know the levels in your home.
• The latest research indicates that as many as one in 15 U.S. homes is estimated to have radon levels at or above the EPA action level.

Is the air you are breathing in and out of your home safe?