There is a group of concerned and motivated citizens who form the organization Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction, or CR3, have as their mission educating and advocating to citizens throughout the world about the harmful effects of radon. Insoo Park, founder, and CEO of Ecosense, has been aggressively involved with this grassroots group. Radon detection is his life’s work and his journey in undertaking the quest for helping to save lives with the products Ecosense puts out into the world.
Although some people have heard the word “radon” many may not be aware of the danger of this radioactive exposure in elevated levels and or for long periods of time. The mission of groups like CR3 and companies like Ecosense is to educate people on what radon is, why it should concern them, how to detect it, and if elevated, how to mitigate it. California currently has no mandatory legislation on radon reporting, testing, or mitigation for the safety of its citizens.
What is Radon?
Per the EPA, radon is a “naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.” It is colorless, odorless, and generally not a concern when present outdoors as it disperses quickly. However, when found in the home, radon can be deadly. Radon gas can be caught indoors, seeping in through cracks or holes in the foundation. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, killing an estimated 21,000 people each year.
How to Detect Radon?
Testing is the only way to know what radon levels are in one’s home. This need is what Ecosense is addressing with their EcoQube real-time radon detection device. The EcoQube was recently named one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Inventions for 2021. What sets the EcoQube apart is it’s quick results in minutes, not days like other detection systems. The device is small, lightweight, and can be integrated into home decor.
“I founded this company with the goal of empowering consumers to lead a safe and healthy lifestyle by delivering radon detection results accurately and quickly, within minutes as opposed to days,” says Park.
What Needs to Be Done
Amid his involvement with CR3, Park has seen the negative effects of radon firsthand. One only needs to visit the “Faces” page of the CR3 website to see the same. Husbands, brothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, and sons all lost to lung cancer caused by radon. Gloria Linnertz, founder and president of CR3 says, “Protect those you love and test for radion–the only way to know if this silent killer is in your environment is to test.” Radon is such a threat to public health that the state of California should act quickly to address the shortfalls in legislation regarding detection and mitigation.
While there may be mandates regarding disclosing the presence of radon, such as amid a real estate transaction, the laws are weak on taking care of the problem. Given the clear link between radon and lung cancer, there needs to be a strengthening of monitoring standards across the board.
While the EPA addresses radon with enforced regulations, they often think big-picture with radon emissions from Uranium mills or Department of Energy facilities, not private homes.
Self-Care
Bureaucracy works slowly. Until legislation catches up to the problem, self-detection is the answer to catching radon and addressing it before it becomes a life-threatening issue.
Once radon is detected, solving the problem usually involves installing a ventilation system.
EcoSense has dedicated itself as the go-to organization for advanced detection solutions, especially with the EcoQube. With advocacy and social wellness at the heart of their mission, EcoSense continues to work diligently to provide easy-to-use products delivering mission critical radon detection performance that save lives.
