RALEIGH, N.C. — A new report shows North Carolina ranks among the worst when it comes to getting lung cancer.
What You Need To Know
- North Carolina ranks 40th in the country when it comes to new lung cancer cases
- The report also shows not enough people are screening for lung cancer, even though they are eligible
- The North Carolina Radon Program that can provide a free test if you need assistance
Ranking 40th in the country when it comes to new cases, according to the American Lung Association, the report also says not enough people are screening for lung cancer, even though they are eligible.
Over a span of several years, if you are in an environment with high levels of radon, lung cancer can become a problem.
Matt Gromadzki, with Radon Testing Labs, Inc, says more people have thought about the testing from a health perspective since the pandemic.
“As COVID has changed how we've lived in our homes, and homeowners used to be in their homes for say 8 to 10 hours a day, and now they're in their homes for 23, 24 hours a day," Gromadzki said. "The radon concentrations with which most clients and consumers are comfortable with has certainly crept down.
The American Lung Association reports 13.5% of homes in North Carolina are above the EPA's recommended level of radon in a home, which is a level of 4.
Having your home tested is a relatively simple process that is a major prevention tool for lung cancer.
"It feels very good to have a client email us and say, 'hey, thank you for keeping my home safe. Thank you for protecting my family. I want to live in this home for forever. So it means a lot that it's safer,'" Gromadzki said.
There are resources like the North Carolina Radon Program that can provide a free test if you need assistance.