PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — People are staying home more than ever before due to the coronavirus. And while they’re home, they may potentially be exposed to a home-grown danger that’s the No. 2 cause of lung cancer: radon.
Radon is invisible, radioactive and deadly. According to Deborah Brown, chief mission officer for the American Lung Association, it’s easy to detect with a simple at-home test.
“There are about one in 15 homes nationwide who have dangerous levels of this radioactive gas. But, my home could have an elevated level of radon while my neighbor’s home might not have it,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what part of the country you live in — radon comes from rock and soil, so it can really be found anywhere.”
She said radon problems can be remediated for anywhere between $500 and $1,500.
Radon can lead to lung cancer, but the No. 1 cause of the disease is smoking. Brown encourages people who smoke to quit with the help of cessation programs or medication.
“Talk to the doctor about quitting-smoking medications. we know that there are seven FDA-approved quit-smoking medications that can help you quit,” she added. “We just want to make sure people understand and follow the directions as they’re prescribed.”
She noted that switching to e-cigarettes or vaping is not safe and not considered quitting the habit.