Do you know anything about radon?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (349310)
Rockingham, Australia
June 26, 2023 8:45pm CST
The photo has nothing to do with the post. It’s Titch, Millie and Micky spending a night in front of the fire. We were house-sitting their home but are back in Perth now.
Our son in Ireland has been a jazz session musician playing double bass with various groups and individuals. Covid affected the music industry in a big way but the main problem for our son was that, because he didn’t have a regular wage, he couldn’t get a housing loan.
He now has an administrative job in the music industry, has been approved for a mortgage and is now looking for a house. Now he is learning how some areas of the country are affected by radon. I’d never heard of it but even the name is a bit ominous.
Radon occurs naturally, is colourless, odourless, and is liable, over time, to cause lung cancer especially in people who smoke. It is radioactive and decays to form polonium. Australia has very low levels of radon which is probably why we’ve never heard of it.
So I’m wondering has anyone else heard of it, and does it affect you or your neighbourhood?
29 people like this
27 responses
@rebelann (113557)
• El Paso, Texas
27 Jun 23
I have heard of it and have seen warnings about it but have been lucky enough not to be affected where I am. It can actually kill if people keep their homes locked tight during winter. I'm not sure but I believe there are ways to test for it.
6 people like this
@yukimori (10179)
• United States
27 Jun 23
We have well-known granite formations in our area that have unusually high concentrations of uranium in them, so radon exposure is a major concern for people living in that area. Doesn't stop them from building houses right on top of the granite, though... 

5 people like this
@AmbiePam (96677)
• United States
27 Jun 23
Oh yes, I learned about it in high school. I wouldn’t have thought it would be a huge problem, but it’s funny you mentioned it because I had recently read two different articles about two places being plagued by high levels of it. But I didn’t know Ireland was affected by it. I have no idea how my state is affected by it, if it is at all. I shouldn’t be surprised anymore by these problems, but I am.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (144474)
• United States
27 Jun 23
Radon gas is a problem in some parts of Missouri, where I grew up and still live. Our state government will give us free radon test kits so we can test our homes... Pretty and I have never lived in a house that has a radon problem.
2 people like this

@DaddyEvil (144474)
• United States
27 Jun 23
@JudyEv I think, as long as the houses are well-ventilated, the radon levels are lower.
You can get radon test kits from Amazon for about $10, if that helps you.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (349310)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Jun 23
@DaddyEvil I'm not concerned for us really as it seems Australia has very low levels but our son will be checking out any house he is interested in buying. Thanks for the info.
2 people like this

@wolfgirl569 (113641)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Jun 23
I have heard of it. That's about all
2 people like this

@wolfgirl569 (113641)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Jun 23
@JudyEv I know some areas here have it. I don't think anywhere near us
1 person likes this

@Deepizzaguy (107998)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Jun 23
I have no idea what radon is at all.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (49083)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Jun 23
I've heard of radon. Back in the 80s there was a lot of talk about it being in basements. I don't know if it's here.
1 person likes this

@BarBaraPrz (49083)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
28 Jun 23
@JudyEv That's probably why it's found in basements...
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (72795)
• United States
27 Jun 23
Radon Home test kits became popular in the States about 25 years ago.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472464)
• Switzerland
27 Jun 23
Radon is a dangerous radioactive gas that has no smell, colour or taste. There are dangerous areas here in Switzerland. Many years ago the authorities sent an expert to place "sensors" that had to be left in place two weeks to check if we had radon inside our house or in the garden. We have been lucky, no radon where we live.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (185183)
• United States
27 Jun 23
What a cute picture. Yes, we definitely know what radon is; but we've never checked our basement for it. So glad to hear that your son is getting a house. Enjoy your day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (185183)
• United States
28 Jun 23
@JudyEv I don't know about our area.
1 person likes this


@JudyEv (349310)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 23
Fleur said Cornwall is one of the hotspots. I guess people just learn to live with it.
@aninditasen (16893)
• Raurkela, India
27 Jun 23
I have heard of lung cancer a lot in India because there are lot of smokers but never heard of radon.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16893)
• Raurkela, India
28 Jun 23
@JudyEv I see. I didn't know about that.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (36339)
•
14 Jul 23
I do remember radon being a big deal at one point. I never hear about it anymore probably due to the awareness it caused, and the testing done to identify and remove it.
Ha, ha.. Now that's a cozy group of puppies!
1 person likes this
