Eliminating the Threat of Radiation Exposure

It’s easy to understand why Japan’s nuclear disaster continues to be the major item on nearly every TV broadcast. Even though experts have been called in from all over the world to control the rogue reactor; radioactive seawater and water vapor continue to leak into the environment, threatening the health and well-being of plants, animals and humans.

Here in the U.S. we’re extending our sympathy, support and technical assistance to the Japanese people. At the same time, we’re thankful that Japan’s radiation leakage is unlikely to cause dangerous radiation levels here at home. The basic explanation for our relative safety from this nuclear fallout was clearly voiced by a biology professor of mine:
“The solution to pollution is dilution.”

Whether we’re dealing with radiation, mold spores, carbon monoxide or any other environmental hazard, the concentration level determines how hazardous or harmless our exposure will be. By diluting a highly concentrated level of hazardous material, we limit its potential to cause damage. The radioactive steam and seawater that are being released from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant will become less hazardous as this radiation diffuses into the atmosphere and ocean.  

The “pollution solution” rule that my professor offered up also applies to our own radiation conflict: exposure to radioactive radon gas. Radon gas isn’t a man-made hazard; it occurs naturally everywhere on earth, emanating from rock and soil. When the radioactive gas becomes concentrated beneath houses in basements and crawl spaces, it poses a serious cancer threat. Just like the radiation that’s leaking from Japan’s damaged power plant, radon gas is invisible and odorless, so it’s easy to overlook. But over 21,000 people die every year in the U.S. because of radon-induced cancer, so the threat is very real.

The good news is that a trained radon mitigation expert can safely, inexpensively and effectively reduce radon in buildings. The standard radon abatement strategy follows the “pollution solution” rule, using a fan and large-diameter plastic pipes to exhaust radon gas from beneath the house foundation and diffuse it harmlessly into the atmosphere. The solution to pollution is dilution. Let’s make sure to put this rule to work and eliminate radon as a cancer threat in our houses and buildings. 

Published by National Radon Defense on 04/12/2011