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But there is a better solution for Kentucky families

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday night November 4th at 8:00 PM EST the popular ABC television program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will blow up a home in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The home is being destroyed to eliminate elevated radon gas levels that are thought to be causing respiratory illnesses to the family living there. The problem is local radon industry leaders don't think the explosion will get rid of the radon.

What is radon?

Radon is a natural, odorless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, killing an estimated 21,000 Americans each year. A recent study by the University of North Dakota also suggests radon may be linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Save the dynamite

"It is critical for people to be aware of the dangers of radon," states local industry expert and Protect Indoor Air Quality Services president Kyle Hoylman. "But we want people to know that although a big explosion makes for good TV ratings, no reference in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocols for radon mitigation suggests blowing up a home. In fact, a newly built home on the same site will most likely have the same radon problem, since most radon is emitted from the ground underneath the home -- not the home itself."

How can I protect my family from radon?

Information from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the EPA shows Kentucky as possessing many potentially high radon areas. Over 50% of homes in Jefferson County are thought to have high levels of radon. "But the good news is fixing a home with high levels of radon is usually a straight forward and cost-effective procedure that doesn't involve explosives," Hoylman adds.

The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend all homes be tested for elevated radon levels by professional groups like Protect Indoor Air Quality Services, which is an indu
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