(Portland, Ore.) Recent reports of radon being discovered at schools around the Portland Metro area are a good reminder to test your home for radon, according to air quality experts. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and is responsible for over 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Odorless and colorless, it seeps into homes from the soil.
The only way to know if radon is present in a home is to perform a test for it.
Because Multnomah and Clark Counties have some of the highest rates of radon in the Northwest, and because people and pets spend up to 90 percent of their time inside of homes, testing should be an urgent to-do for homeowners, say home performance experts at the non-profit Enhabit.
“Elevated radon levels in the home are unsafe. That’s why we encourage every single home to be tested,” said Enhabit spokesperson Stephanie Swanson. “The good news is, organizations like Enhabit are able to deliver low-cost and easy testing kits and professional advice to homeowners on how to mitigate this dangerous gas with simple solutions.”
Homeowners can order easy-to-use radon testing kits by visiting enhabit.org.
About Enhabit
Enhabit (formerly Clean Energy Works) is the next step for homeowners who want their homes to work and feel better. As the region’s largest home renewal provider, the non-profit offers a unique home upgrade experience to deliver immediate benefits and lasting value. Enhabit guides homeowners step-by-step through their project with services including energy efficiency upgrades, seismic strengthening, indoor air quality improvements and solar energy installations. The comprehensive approach includes an initial in-home assessment, matching with certified local contractors, secure financing and third party quality oversight. Enhabit is a nationally recognized model that successfully multiplies energy savings, good jobs and other environmental benefits in support of resilient communities.
