Radon posterWarning that radon gas is the second biggest cause of lung cancer after smoking, the Environmental Protection Agency is promoting January as “National Radon Action Month.” One in 15 homes is affected.

Homes with even a minimal amount of radon gas subject occupants to the equivalent of smoking eight cigarettes a day or having 200 chest X-rays a year, says Indoor Air Health Adviser.

The minimal amount is described by Indoor Health Air Advisor as four picocuries per liter of air (4pCi/L).

The risk of radon is multiplied in the winter in homes without ventilation fans because doors and windows are kept closed and furnaces suction even more of the gas from the ground.

EPA has distributed a press release via PR Newswire offering free Radon test kits that are available from Swat Environmental via 800/420-3881 or SWAT-Radon.com. The company installs 10,000 radon mitigation systems yearly.

Radon is described as “a toxic colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that occurs naturally in the soil.” EPA is urging that all homes, schools and other buildings be tested for radon. It says there is no safe level of radon gas.