According to the EPA, radon causes approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year and is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. More people in the US die from radon than from drunk drivers, homicides or Parkinson's disease. Radon is a gas that results from the breakdown of Uranium in the soil. It most often gets into a home through cracks in the foundation or construction joints as the gas moves up through the ground. Radon cannot be seen or smelled – the only detection method is testing. Radon exists in every state and approximately 6% of all houses have elevated levels. High radon levels have been found in every state and can vary from house to house. In addition, there is no safe level of radon. Radon Potential Zone Map Counties with highest potential average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L Counties with moderate potential average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L Counties with lower potential average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L

Radon Tips - Indoor Radon Screening in Your Home Test your home for radon. Select the lowest level room where you spend most of your time (typically a bedroom or basement). Radon kits can be found at hardware stores for $15-$20. The National Safety Council also offers test kits (short term & long term) that can ordered through the mail or phone. Start with the short term test and if the levels are high, test again with the long term to get verification. If your radon is high, hire a qualified radon mitigation contractor because specialized knowledge and skills are required. Check with your state radon office. Costs generally range from $1,000 to $2000. Re-test after the work has been completed by an independent radon tester to verify the problem has been corrected. EPA Guide to Radon Home Buyer/Seller Guide to Radon How to Select a Radon ContractorACCORDING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, the average American spends 90% of her time inside. Studies have also shown that indoor air pollution is generally 2 to 5 times worse than pollution outdoors, and can even be 100 times worse.

In fact, indoor air quality is considered one of the top five environmental risks to health.walmart air purifier and humidifier Typically, asbestos is not hazardous to human health unless it is disturbed or damaged. honeywell air purifier ozoneVinyl floor tiles, adhesives, exterior roofing and siding, heat-resistant fabrics, certain types of insulation and oil/coal furnace gaskets are typical sources of asbestos within the home.ozone air purifier ty-500 The EPA recommends leaving suspected asbestos-containing materials alone. In no way should you damage, repair, destroy or touch asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos professionals are trained and accredited to deal with the repair and removal of asbestos-containing materials and should be contacted if such materials need to be disturbed.

Of the six, removing biological pollutants from your home air is perhaps the easiest. First, make it a point to control the moisture level in your home. Keeping your home clean will do a great deal to reduce and remove indoor biological pollutants including animal dander, dust mites, mold and dust. Another option is to purchase an indoor air cleaning device. Many air purifiers will remove most biological pollutants from the air. If you have an existing central heating and air system, simply upgrading your filter to a filter rated at MERV 13 or better will remove 90% of most biological pollutants. Another option is to use a HEPA air filter, which will remove 99% of biological pollutants from the air. Generally, formaldehyde exposure occurs through breathing in the gas. Formaldehyde release rates depend on heat and humidity within the home. It can be found in many particle or press-board type composite wood products, building materials, insulation, household products, fertilizers and cigarette smoke.

Products made with formaldehyde can take years to completely off-gas. The best way to reduce exposure to formaldehyde is to purchase products that do not contain formaldehyde. If it's too late for that, using an air conditioner or humidifier can help maintain a moderate temperature and humidity in the home, which can slow the release of formaldehyde. It's important to Increase ventilation in the home—particularly after purchasing a product that contains formaldehyde. Most existing air purifiers will not remove formaldehyde from the home. Some building products, such as kitchen cabinets, can offgass formaldehyde for months or even years. If this is your problem, your may need to  "encapsulate" the formaldehyde. Choose a vapor barrier paint and coat the entire exposed surface.inside the cabinets. 75-80% of Americans use at least one pesticide in their home a year. In many homes, up to a dozen types of pesticides have been found. Pesticides include products that control insects, rodents, termites or microbes.

As with most pollutants, the best way to prevent exposure is to reduce or eliminate the use of them. Try using non-chemical pest control methods. Try to ventilate when using a pesticide, and prevent children from touching, playing or eating pesticides or pesticide-exposed surfaces. If you have an existing central heating and air system, upgrading your filter to a filter rated at MERV 16 or better will remove 95% of dust from insecticides. Another option is an activated carbon air purifier, which will remove gasses from pesticides from the air. The EPA suggests you should always test your home for radon and address radon problems if your radon level is 4 pCi/L or higher. You cannot see radon, thus it's presence can only be determined through testing. Radon levels in the home are especially of concern if someone in the home is a smoker. According to the California Environmental Protection Agency, most common air cleaning devices do not effectively remove radon from your home.

However, radon reduction systems can reduce levels of radon in the home by 99%. The primary way to reduce radon is with a vent pipe and fan system that extends into the basement, typically below the slab. It  should be installed by a qualified contractor to ensure the problem is appropriately addressed. Tobacco smoke is dangerous for everyone's health—but especially for children. Tobacco smoke, even second hand, contains more than 250 dangerous chemicals and 70 carcinogens. The negative effects of tobacco smoke can linger in a building long after smokers have left it. A study in 2010 found that 2 months after smokers had left their home, repainted it and installed new carpet, toxins found in tobacco smoke were found within the home. The best way to eliminate the risk of tobacco smoke from your home is to not smoke in or around your home or car. Cleaning the air or airing out the building does not completely remove smoke from your home. If you smoke or have a home where smoking was a concern, thoroughly wash all walls and ceilings, and washable fabrics with detergent and hot water, remove all non-washable fabric surfaces or carpeting from the home and replace all venting filters within the home.