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Source: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Omaha Sen. Bob Krist presented a bill to the Health and Human Services Committee on February 27 that could help solve Nebraska’s high radon levels. The Radon Resistant New Construction Act focuses specifically on regulations to make sure new homes are built with radon mitigation systems to clear out the dangerous gas.
Curtis Drew, president of National Radon Defense, expressed his support of the legislation when he spoke with KLKN-TV Channel 8 Eyewitness News. “Nebraska needs this legislation because we're at risk, much higher risk than a lot of those other states I named,” Drew said.
Laurie Staiert of Iowa, another supporter of the bill proposed by Sen. Krist, is well aware of the dangers of radon. Her husband Walt, a non-smoker, died from lung cancer a couple of years ago. Staiert believes that radon is to blame for her husband’s death. Both houses they lived in tested high for radon.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 22,000 people in the US die from radon gas exposure.
Who does radon affect?
The answer is everyone. The odorless, colorless gas comes from the soil and enters your home through pipes, cracks in the foundation, and other openings. Nebraska has the third highest radon exposure numbers in the US. A map created by the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHS) shows that 72 of the 93 counties in Nebraska have high radon concentration levels.
Dan Thrasher, vice president of Thrasher Basement Systems explained that radon exposure continues to be a health concern according to the EPA, World Health Organization, and American Medical Association among others. "This is especially true in Nebraska and Iowa where we rank third and first in high radon levels nationwide," Dan said.
How can you protect yourself?
- The first step is to determine your home’s radon level with radon testing. A radon test is inexpensive and can potentially save your life!
- If the radon level in your home is 4 picocuries per lite (pCi/L) or higher, a radon mitigation system should be installed to reduce concentration levels.
- If radon levels in your home are less than 4 pCi/L, you may still be at risk and should consider taking action.
"Most people don’t realize how affordable radon mitigation is, and that they may have to have it done when they sell their house anyway. Over the last two years our radon services have grown over 120% and we expect to see that growth continue,” Dan added.
Thrasher Basement Systems is your local National Radon Defense contractor and radon mitigation specialist. We provide radon services in Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux City and throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. Call us at [phone] to schedule your radon test or to get a quote for radon mitigation. If you already have a radon removal system installed in your home, we offer radon mitigation inspection to make sure your system is working like it should!