Archive for January, 2011

Facts About Lung Cancer

January 22nd, 2011

Lung cancer is an often silent and deadly killer. It is the number one disease killing Americans. And more people die from this type of cancer than any other kind of cancer; breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and melanoma, combined. So far, this year, there are already 215 thousand new cases. One of the big problems with this disease is that in most cases it is not diagnosed at their earliest, most curable stage. Most people are diagnosed so late that it’s of no help to the patient, who often dies from it within a year.

The Lung Cancer Alliance tells us that it begins in the tissues of the lungs, most usually in the cells lining or the air passages and that the two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

There are several factors believed to lead to this type of cancer:

1. Increasing age – it doesn’t strike as frequently in people under age 40. The numbers are slightly higher after age 45, then there is a larger jump in people over the age of 65.

2. Smoking – the most important risk factor in the development of lung cancer. Cigarettes expose the body to more than 4-thousand different dangerous chemicals. The Centers for Disease Control says that about 85-percent of all lung cancers in the U.S. are in people who currently smoke or who have smoked in the past. They note that even if you have quit smoking, the risk does not decrease the longer ago you quit and it never returns to zero.

3. Extended exposure to second-hand or passive smoke – the CDC reports that there are over 3-thousand lung cancer deaths a year attributable to second-hand smoke.

4. Exposure to radon – an invisible, tasteless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in earth and rocks. This is the second leading cause in the United States.

5. Environmental carcinogens – including arsenic, asbestos, uranium, and diesel fuel.

6. Radiation therapy to the chest – if you have too many chest X-rays when you have a cough or are sick, they can add up.

7. Previous lung diseases like emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or tuberculosis can leave scars on the lungs.

8. Genetics or a family history of lung cancer – new U.S. research reveals that adults who are biologically related to someone who had lung cancer, especially if it was diagnosed before age 50, have an increased risk.

In its early stages, lung cancer has no symptoms. But the signs to watch for include a chronic cough, hoarseness, coughing up blood, weight loss and/or loss of appetite, shortness of breath, a high fever with no known reason, wheezing, repeated episodes of bronchitis or pneumonia, and chest pain.

Among the current approved treatments for lung cancer are Surgery, if used in the early stages of the tumor, it can be taken out, Radiation therapy, a form of high energy X-rays that kills the cancer cells, and Chemotherapy or drugs effective against cancer cells, injected directly into a vein, or taken by pill.

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Lung Cancer Vs Mesothelioma

January 21st, 2011

Cancer is a leading cause of death in America, claiming an estimated 569,490 lives in 2010 alone. Over 1.5 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and although this amount has decreased over the past fifteen years, many lives are still disrupted by cancer diagnoses. Two deadly forms of this disease are lung cancer and mesothelioma, but these are not quite the same disorder.

First, both lung cancer and mesothelioma can affect the lungs. However, mesothelioma describes a problem that attacks specialized cells that make up a lining called the mesothelium. The mesothelium is present around the lungs, heart, abdomen, and testicles, meaning that mesothelioma can strike other areas besides just the lungs. On the other hand, lung cancer strictly affects the actual cells that make up the lungs. Both cancers can spread to other areas, though, through a process called metastasis.

Also, because both cancers can occur in or near your lungs, they can manifest with several of the same symptoms. You can experience coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain. However, in 25% of lung cancer cases, there may be no symptoms until the tumors are discovered via x-ray or other devices.

Next, both cancers can be treated with the same combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, like other cancers. However, inconsistent survival rates for mesothelioma suggest that people’s prognoses depend more on unconventional treatment or individual situations rather than on the cancer treatment. Additionally, lung cancer is the most deadly form of this disease, and it is fairly consistent with its death rates, unlike mesothelioma.

Lastly, there are several different causes of the two different cancers. Mesothelioma is almost always the result of exposure to asbestos. Lung cancer can also be caused by asbestos exposure. In addition, though, it can also arise due to smoking, secondhand smoke, radon gas exposure, air pollution, and lung diseases.

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An International Marketplace – Is the Triangle Real Estate Community Ready?

January 20th, 2011

With each passing year the composition of companies and the business they transact in Research Triangle Park becomes increasingly global. This globalization brings a continual influx of people from nations around the world to the area not only to work but to live and to raise families. With this rapid growth of international cultures in the area, suddenly there are people with seemingly endless investment capital from many different countries. Not only are they buying homes in which to live, but they are also seeking real estate opportunities for investment purposes. Are Triangle REALTORS knowledgeable enough in international real estate to fully and competently assist these investors? Are our agents aware of the differences in U.S. tax laws and IRS statutes when applied to foreign non-residents and their ownership of U.S. real estate? A word of caution is in order for both the international client and the professional REALTOR. International real estate is a very different and complex business with potential financial pitfalls when practiced by those unfamiliar with the laws that affect these purchases.

RTP has been a catalyst for international growth to North Carolina for many years. There are nearly 100 companies in the Triangle which have international corporate headquarters or offices located on foreign soil. It is truly a World Trade Zone. Raleigh was recognized recently as “one of the top ten most international cities” in the U.S. with over 87 foreign languages being spoken in the area. In addition to the Triangle’s draw, the nine-county area that comprises the bulk of the local real estate marketplace contains one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the country. This blending of people and cultures creates a common ground as resources are exchanged and opportunities are created for local industries not the least of which is the real estate industry. With few exceptions, every REALTOR in the area has either sold property to a foreign client or had a property listing that was sold by another REALTOR to a foreign client. The international growth and diversity of cultures are a large part of the mix, along with educational resources, economic health, cost of living, and moderate climate that continually keep the Triangle as one of the nation’s “Top Ten Places to Live.”

One of the many responsibilities of a REALTOR as a professional is to be informed. Their job is one of sharing knowledge and information with consumers and the general public. They must be authorities on schools, churches, malls, day care, assisted living, new construction, old construction, mold, mildew, radon, asbestos, well water, sewer systems, transportation issues, and a plethora of other disclosure items. Why would it not hold true that a REALTOR should be an authority on an international real estate transaction and the nuances of U.S. tax laws when applied to foreign clients? To enjoy the financial benefits and rewards of the local international market, REALTORS must educate themselves in this arena because it is becoming a large and viable segment of the Triangle market. Fortunately for the local real estate community many resources are available through both NAR and the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors.

More than eight years ago the Board of Directors of the RRAR with insight and progressive thinking created an ad hoc Committee to explore the creation of an International Council of REALTORS. Since then, that Council has come into being and has grown to over 45 active members. The Triangle International Council of Realtors or TICOR serves as a resource for not only REALTORS but the public as well, bringing together the cultures of the Triangle by offering educational opportunities through printed materials, seminars and classes. They strive not only to educate themselves but also to include others who share their interest. Their varied activities include participation in Raleigh’s International Festival, other cultural festivals, and bimonthly luncheons hosting presentations by international attorneys, mortgage lenders, State Government representatives and various Chambers of Commerce.

With NAR approval, the TICOR group has hosted CIPS classes on four different occasions with participants from as far away as Northern Virginia and the state of Washington. Another CIPS course is scheduled for this October and is being sponsored by TICOR at the RRAR Board office. CIPS is a designation from NAR which means Certified International Property Specialist. It is achieved through class work and testing in five different courses of materials and subjects related to finance, international real estate, globalization, and five subjective regions of the world. Due to the efforts of the RRAR Triangle International Council of REALTORS there are more CIPS designees locally than in any other board in the state of North Carolina.

REALTORS in Research Triangle Park are most fortunate to live and work in such an exciting and lucrative marketplace. To have such nationally high rankings as one of the “Top Ten Cities” in so many categories and the recognition as such an international center of activity is a privilege. With privilege comes responsibility. REALTORS of the Triangle community must not only recognize the need to be informed and educated regarding the intricacies of the international market and it’s clients, but act on that need by using available resources to gain the necessary education to perform professionally.

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Is the Navajo Nation President Being a Hypocrite about Uranium Mining

January 19th, 2011

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 80 percent of the electricity in New Mexico is generated each year by burning coal. The irony is that the dominant anti-nuclear group in New Mexico, Southwest Research and Information Center (SRIC), has shown no evidence of denouncing coal consumption. According to Don Hancock, an SRIC Administrator who directs the non-profit organization’s Nuclear Waste Safety Program, the group’s “spiritual mentor” is John W. Gofman. The former nuclear physicist is an aging, eccentric author who was discredited by the Atomic Energy Commission and was branded by the nuclear power industry as “beyond the pale of reasonable communication.” As a kind gesture, Hancock gave us a copy of a Gofman “cartoon book,” whose theme revolves around Thoreau’s essay, “Civil Disobedience.” Another cosmic ally is Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute, a favorite Don Hancock icon.

While Gofman championed solar energy in his hey day, Lovins presently espouses hydrogen as a primary solution for transportation, wind, and increasing efficiency through natural gas. However, neither wind power nor solar energy is a relevant energy source in New Mexico. Hydroelectricity supplies about 0.7 percent of New Mexico’s electricity generation. Despite the hoopla and hyperbole, all of other renewable energy sources combined supply New Mexico with a mere 0.6 percent of its electricity. Coal is, in a very big way, the overwhelming reason why New Mexicans are not living in darkness and without heat or air conditioning.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, about 2400 people die every year from the air pollution caused from each million tons of sulfur dioxide emitted. In 1999, it is estimated that over 1.05 billion tons were produced, releasing 11.856 million tons of sulfur oxides and more than 5 million tons of nitrous oxides. Having personally inspected the first floor library of SRIC headquarters, no anti-coal mining literature was discovered. There appears to be scant fund-raising interest from these environmental activists to close down New Mexico’s large coal mines. In fact, more U.S. coal mining deaths were reported in 2005 than deaths from uranium mining (zero). StockInterview.com heard no worries at SRIC over the blackening of coal miner’s lungs, but the staff appeared very concerned over the radon gas emitted from uranium mining. Uranium mining in New Mexico came to a standstill about twenty years ago. Coal mining continues as it has for seven decades.

Don’t expect the coal mines of New Mexico to be closed any time soon, though. No matter how deadly coal mines are, coal production is irreplaceable at this time. According to the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, tax revenues from coal in 2001 exceeded $30 million. Nearly one-half of the state’s energy needs are met through coal-generated power. The coal industry employed 1,800 people in 2001. New Mexico is the country’s leader for methane gas production from coal beds. Coal is the state’s third largest source of revenues.

An EPA Toxic Release Inventory report published in 2000 reported that two power plants and their coal mines in New Mexico’s San Juan County released 13 million pounds of chemical toxins into the Four Corner’s area (New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado). It was also reported that 6.5 million tons of solid waste was buried by the two San Juan County power plants on their sites or at nearby coal mines. Those airborne toxins were miniscule compared to over 300 million pounds of other emissions, such as particulates and nitrogen dioxide released into the air, and which can travel for hundreds of miles. Reports confirm those power plants were among the worst polluters in the United States. The eighth worst emitter was Giant Refining, about 17 miles from Gallup, New Mexico, which emitted 608,000 pounds according to the EPA report. Any visitor to the Gallup area can readily smell the stench circulating in the air.

Does Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr Have Double Standards?

Why haven’t the Navajo banned coal mining on the reservation as they have uranium mining? According to Anna Frazier, a Navajo affiliated with a local environmental group, “Our Navajo Nation is certainly not going to do that. They would rather have the revenues coming in from the coal companies and the power plants.” According to a news report published in Indian Country newspaper, “The Navajo Nation receives the bulk of its annual $100 million operating expenses from royalties, leases and taxes from its coal, oil and gas. These revenues provide operational expenses for the tribal government, including the salaries of the 88-member Navajo Nation Council, the tribe’s annual budgets show.”

For more than 35 years, Peabody Energy has operated massive mines on Navajo territory. The closure of one such coal mine, the Black Mesa, sent the Navajos rushing for their Maalox. Ironically, it was environmental activists that forced Southern California Edison to close their Mojave Generating Station nearly 300 miles away in Laughlin, Nevada. The utility was given a choice: cough up $1 billion to stop polluting the Grand Canyon or shut it down. It had been called “one of the dirtiest coal plants in the West,” and air emissions from that plant reportedly polluted half a dozen other national parks in the Southwest. But, that coal mine provided about 15 percent of the Navajo’s annual budget. George Hardeen, the Navajo president’s media voice, complained about the mine closing last October, “This is going to have a terrible effect on this entire region because the Navajo economy is so fragile.”

John Dougherty complained about the Navajo Nation’s tactics in the Phoenix New Times newspaper in March 2005, observing, “Environmental groups have long exploited the Native American tradition of sacred places to fight their battles to preserve wilderness areas…It’s always the soulful Native American who steps forward as the high priest of sacred geography. In the background lurks the environmentalist equipped with charts and data on tree-trunk diameters and spotted-owl nesting sites.” Dougherty concluded, “The cries of environmental destruction and cultural murder from Navajo and Hopi leaders ring hollow.”

What are not going to be ringing at all will be the cash registers at Albertsons supermarket in Bullhead City, near Laughlin (Nevada), which closed down this week. That’s because the Mojave power station closed as advertised because of the dirty Black Mesa coal. Mike Conner, president of the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce, said, “The community will be devastated.” Across the river in Laughlin, Buddy Borden of the University of Nevada at Reno told a group of community leaders the area “will take an almost $21 million hit” in lost power plant payrolls. The facility will lay off 375 employees, who had an average annual wage of $87,000. Like dominoes falling, jobs in Nevada, Arizona and in the Navajo Nation were lost.

Recently, Navajo president Joe Shirley Jr. considered replacing budget shortfalls with casinos, four in Nevada and two in New Mexico. Last March, Senator John McCain forecast the Navajo casinos would fail because of their remote locations. Shirley quipped back in the Arizona Republic newspaper, “I beg to differ with him.” One coal mine that won’t be on the Navajo reservation is the first to receive an operating permit in six years. Peabody Energy announced a coal mine on Lee Ranch, one of New Mexico’s largest landowners. It is projected to produce 102 million tons of coal over the next thirty years.

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Well Water – The Hidden Problem

January 18th, 2011

Background:

Traditionally, the United States has had a significant rural population although the emergence of urban centers has seen significant growth in the last 50 years. Nevertheless, there are many areas in the country that still rely of wells and ground water for their drinking water. Recent EPA estimates are that over 15% of the population still uses well water for drinking, washing, crop support and general purposes. Close to 45 million Americans look to well water for the basic necessities of life.

Well water is under threat of contamination from a number of sources however, and the burden of testing of ground water is put on individual landowners rather than government agencies. As a result, pure drinking water is becoming a problem in rural and suburban America and, because testing by the individual homeowner is not required, becomes a hidden problem of potentially large magnitude.

The Problem:

Unlike municipal and bottled water source, drinking water from wells is not regulated by any government body including the Environmental Protection Agency. This is true because each well is its own source of water and effective regulation of millions of wells is beyond the scope and power of government regulatory authorities.

In addition well water is subject to contamination from a number of sources and the risk of significant health problems depends on a number of factors including:

o How the well was built

o Where the well is located on the property

o Local environment factors

o The condition of the aquifer that supplies the well

o Human, animal and industrial activities in proximity to the well

Clean drinking water is necessary for a healthy life and contamination of ground water is a threat to health in rural and suburban America. The actual well drillers and installers are subject to state regulation but the quality of the water output is not regulated in any way and remains the responsibility of the well owner.

Well water varies in quality significantly from place to place throughout the country. Depth of the water table and the quality and quantity of replenishment sources are also considerations.

Well water is ground water that results from rain and snow seeping into the ground and fills the space between rocks and soil in what is known as an “aquifer”. The bulk of the nation’s drinking water comes from ground water aquifers although the portion that ends up in municipal water supplies as tap water is subject to quality standards.

The burden of maintaining safe drinking water from wells is put squarely on the homeowner and well water testing is at best a cumbersome process. Simple tests are not adequate to identify all contamination sources and expensive laboratory testing is often required. Repeated testing is also required to ensure that changing conditions do not introduce new contaminants.

Rural and Suburban:

Well water contamination is not limited to rural farms however. As greater population pressure is put on urban area suburbs, housing developments are increasingly required to use well water to meet their water needs. This is because individual homes are being built faster than municipal water utilities can expand and homeowners are forced to use existing wells. The percentage of the population relying on ground water thru wells can be expected to increase.

Sources of Well Water Contaminants:

Well water contamination generally comes from three sources:

o Natural impurities or contaminants:

As water moves through the ground it picks up elements that occur naturally like magnesium calcium, chlorides and often more dangerous dissolved elements like arsenic, boron, selenium and radon. This is a particular problem in flooding situations.

o Pollution from human activities:

o Improper use of fertilizers, animal manure, pesticides and herbicides

o Landfills and waste dumps

o Heavy metals from mining and construction activities

o Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s)

o Faulty septic systems located near the well head

o Underground storage tanks

o Improper discharge from storm drains

o Chemical spills and improper waste disposal

o Pressure from suburban growth that exceeds municipal water capacity and reliance on well water without safety standards.

The list of possible contaminants and sources is large and growing and well water is increasingly at risk. EPA sources estimate that contamination can be found in all 50 states and the incidences of contamination are increasing as the suburbs grow and overpopulation encroaches on rural wells.

Types of Human Contaminants:

Natural impurities and contaminants are generally widely known and, while still a dangerous hazard to drinking water, are not as critical as contamination from human activity.

There is pressure on the nation’s water supply as more people move to urban areas and industry and business continue to contaminate ground water. The sources of pollutants are understood, but not regulated by local, state and federal government agencies:

o Bacteria and nitrates- These contaminants are often found in human wastes that contaminate due to poor location of septic tanks, local landfills and garbage dumps near wells that produce drinking water. Children, adults with damaged autoimmune systems, cancer patients and the elderly are at risk.

o Animal waste and manure – Pathogens from animal wastes in feeding operations and large farms have a particularly negative affect on ground water.

o Chemicals used to promote growth of crops and control insect damage- Fertilizers and pesticides used on farms, golf courses and suburban lawns and gardens have a long lasting negative impact on ground water.

o Industrial products and wastes – Chemicals used in industrial and business processes are increasingly becoming major pollutants for nearby wells. This problem extends to old and leaking storage tanks on farmland converted to suburban housing development still using wells for drinking water.

o Household wastes – In addition to faulty septic tanks, household wastes from detergents, cleaning solvents, motor oil, paints and thinners all take their toll on the ground water supply of drinking water.

Flooding and Well Water:

While not pervasive in all parts of the country, flooding occurs regularly and affects large areas and parts of the population. The impact of flooding from rivers and hurricanes can cause extensive and long term negative effects on the drinking water from wells.

Because of the extensive flood areas and the speed and direction of ground water flow, water wells are often adversely affected for many months after the flood. Wells can become contaminated with bacteria or other contaminants. In addition, waste water from malfunctioning septic tanks or chemicals seeping into the ground can contaminate the ground water even after the water was tested and found to be safe. Long range precautions are necessary, including repeated testing, to protect the safety of drinking well water after floods.
Well Water and MTBE:

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Information on Lung Cancer And The Least You Should Know

January 17th, 2011

Important Information on Lung Cancer

A wealth of information on lung cancer is available through private and government sponsored institutions. Large foundations supporting and initiating research on this disease include the American Lung Association, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health and the Lung Cancer Foundation of America to name a few.

About the Disease

These cancers begin in the cells of one or both of the lungs. The cancerous cells can spread throughout the respiratory passages and squamous cells of the inner organ linings. Two common variations are non-small cell and small-cell carcinoma, which account for the majority of cases worldwide.

Non-Small Cell (NSCLC)

Also known as large or squamous cell cancer, these amorphously shaped cells are generally detected under the microscope because of their size. About 40% of patients are diagnosed with this disease in its advanced stages. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A diagnosis of NSCLC has a greater chance of being operable than its small-cell counterpart, provided the location does not put vital bodily functions in jeopardy.

Small-Cell (SCLC)

This version of cancer in the lungs is aggressive and rapidly metastasizes. Its small size makes it difficult to detect and even harder to cure. Unless found in its early stages, patients have less than a 10% chance of long term survival. Stage 3A, 3B or 4 SCLC is generally treated with courses of chemotherapy and chemo drug combinations. Alternatively, doctors may choose to operate and prescribe chemo courses or radiation therapy following surgery.

Prevention

The world is filled with cancer causing agents, called carcinogens. Asbestos, chromium, nickel, arsenic (weed killer), radon from soil degradation and air pollution are primary among these. People can limit exposure to these elements by getting educated through major cancer foundation websites. In general, these chemicals are easy to avoid when you know where to find them.

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Whatever Gets You Through The Night

January 16th, 2011

So I was in the post office not so long ago, just before Halloween as a matter of fact. The inside of the post office was decorated nicely in pink to promote breast cancer awareness and it was clear that the post office was in full support.

I have to admit as I stood in line and awaited my turn at the counter, I felt a childlike envy at the effort that is put forth year after year in October and the wonderful results gained for breast cancer research and support of those in need. Maybe envy isn’t the correct word, maybe the word I’m searching for is awe. There it is, I stand in awe at this ongoing effort.

The line moved forward and I soon heard those magic post office words “Next” followed by the ‘wave’ over to the counter. My business in the post office was relatively simple to the un-trained eye, have a letter weighed, applied with the appropriate amount of postage, give the letter to the nice gentleman behind the counter for him to mail and then leave the post office. My wife’s instructions were precise and crystal clear, for after all these years together, she, better than anyone, knows that a post office is a perfect place for me to get into trouble.

So as Joe the post office guy is weighing my letter, I decided to make a little small talk regarding the post office’s investment into the pink decorations.

In my mind it was a clever way in, I said “Hey,” he looked at me, ” Do you know what happens on November first?” I asked. Still he’s looking. “It’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month.” I said proudly. At this point everything is going well, Joe the post office guy and I have a good working relationship and now an open dialog.

( When history looks back on this moment, the critics will refer back to my wife’s simple instructions including “Leave” and ask themselves “Why?”)

I proceeded to ask, “So do you think you’ll be putting up any decorations for Lung Cancer or did you blow the budget on pink?” With this Joe began to tell me he wasn’t the one that makes those decisions and I realized once again that in a small building packed with people just wanting to send stuff or buy stamps, I was the only one who thought I was clever. Joes’ counter companions’ (we’ll call him postal guy number two) voice rang in out of nowhere and our eyes met as these words came from his mouth, “Smokers do it to themselves.” This isn’t the first time that little gem of wisdom has been thrown at me but for some reason, maybe because of the location, it seemed a little harder to confront and defend. My reply was, “Not all lung cancer is caused by smoking.” His reply was, “Not all but most. ” I then made the “Lung cancer is the number one killer of all cancers,” statement and asked for support as I made my way to the door and out.

I got into my car and I was angry, at myself, at postal guy number 2 at lung cancer at the amount of support we do or do not get.

By the time I arrived home, my anger had changed from the mental ranting and raving of an outraged mind and slowly made for the higher ground of my brain where rational and coherent thoughts live.

If you could give me one more minute of your very valuable time I will try to explain my change of thought that occurred on my trip home.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month should be exactly what the name says it is. Many times when you hear about lung cancer it revolves around fear and apprehension and to a point is fear driven in itself. I have become very well versed in the numbers and percentages of cases and fatality rates and I have been more then willing to throw them at you if I felt the need to grab your attention. Let’s face it lung cancer, all cancer, is a scary subject and I as well as anyone could easily fill you full of fear for a month.

Who needs more fear in their lives?
Lung cancer awareness month should open a gateway where new thoughts and ideas for treatments and preventative measures should be brought to the fore front. It should be a month where we discus different things that we could be doing with our diets and supplements to assist our immune systems. Lung Cancer awareness should be about celebrating life’s victories all the while remembering the tragedies that have passed. Lung Cancer Awareness should be a month long procession and parade discussing every small research victory, exploring every new thought and idea and celebrating every small light at the end of every tunnel. Lung Cancer Awareness should be a forum of thoughts, a round table gathering where brilliant minds can reach not only each other but can teach the public, answer the tough questions and offer hope for the future.
There are so many great things happening across this country at various colleges and research facilities when it comes to lung cancer research, so many thoughts that might not receive the proper investigating due to a lack of funding or worse yet a lack of understanding.

We should spend our time discussing how the respiragene test which is a way to look into your future and analyze your future risk for lung cancer is gaining recognition country wide and will soon be counted not in units, but in lives altered, destinies changed and families preserved.

We should be talking about the new study published by the American Cancer Society which shows the benefit of low dose CT scans for high risk patients as a way of detecting lung cancer in it’s early stages or the studies from Johns Hopkins which show the effect of taking care of your immune system as a major cancer deterrent.

We could talk of all the wonderful research and efforts coming from the U of Wisconsin medical center, The S.H.R.O. institute at Temple, and the things happening in Miami to name a few of the many.

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Keep an Eye on Radon

January 15th, 2011

Pardon the attempt at humor on a serious topic. The fact is, many people only think about radon when buying or selling a house. But the radioactive gas poses a danger 24-7 and all year long. Are you protecting yourself and your family?

In case you haven’t heard, radon causes an estimated 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States every year. Only smoking causes more lung cancer, and the risk from radon is far greater for people who smoke or used to smoke.

Radon is present in the soil and the air worldwide. The threat arises when radon builds up inside a house and the occupants breathe the invisible gas over long periods.

U.S. health and environmental authorities have recommended for two decades that every home be tested for radon. Because radon concentrations in the home can change, authorities recommend that homes be re-tested every two years — even homes with radon mitigation systems installed.

What will the test cost you? As little as $20 if you do it yourself with kits available online and in home centers; more — $110 to $140 — if you hire a state-certified radon tester to conduct the test with more sophisticated equipment.

Either approach will give you a good idea of whether your home has elevated levels of radon. If you do the test yourself, be sure that the kit is EPA-approved and that you follow the kit’s instructions for preparing your home and handling, placing and shipping the test device to a lab.

Here are health and environmental agencies’ guidelines on when to test:

    o When buying a home. If the seller can’t provide documentation of a recent test, testing is recommended. [Radon is measured in "picocuries per liter" (pCi/l), and the agencies recommend that a house be fixed if the number is 4.0 pCi/l or higher.] o If it has been more than two years since the last test on your home. o If you have a radon mitigation system that has not been tested recently. These systems can fail, and conditions in the home or below it may have changed since the system was installed. o If you plan to increase the time spent in low-lying areas of the home, such as adding a family room, office or bedroom in a basement. o If you are making structural changes that could allow more radon to enter. Radon seeps in through cracks and openings between the ground and the floor and walls of the home.

Beware of the many myths about radon.

Elevated levels of radon have been found in new homes and old, tight homes and drafty. Homes with or without basements can have a radon problem, and homes side by side can have far different radon concentrations. Elevated levels of radon can be found in any neighborhood.

Radon levels can almost always be reduced if yours is one of the estimated 1 in 7 homes with a radon problem.

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Do You Want to Know More About Radon Tests?

January 14th, 2011

Do you want more information about Radon Tests on your home?

Radon is one of those words genuinely only will mean just one thing:

RADON: A very heavy radioactive gaseous compound formed from the decay of radium.

Radon is an unwanted naturally developing radioactive gas which is found in various areas across the nation. The issue with radon is the fact that it may be present inside of the house you happen to be purchasing, but the only course of action to discover it is to test for it.

Radon, typically more widespread in mountainous locations so where you may be buying a home will have a lot to do with your decision on whether to test for it or not during your real estate transaction. Everyone should investigate the area that they are purchasing a home for the health concerns of radon. The EPA declares that according to their estimates; radon is considered the Number 1 cause for lung cancer in Non-smokers.

Properties with basements that have been constructed partially underground and slab built dwellings are more likely to already have radon than the usual residence with a crawl space. If you are buying a home with a crawl space you may still want to test to be certain the radon levels inside your home are below 4 pCi/l.

There are specific short testing techniques of which home inspectors utilize; the stand alone electric powered continuing monitors enjoy one particular advantage to any home buyer in the middle of any Real Estate transaction; you will receive the test results within 48 hrs of the start of the test.

The majority of the alternative test methods for example the charcoal canisters, as well as liquid scintillation test kits have to be shipped to the testing center plus wait for the results which may differ from 24 hours to up to a full week. The definition regarding elevated radon inside of a property according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a radon test with results of 4.0 pCi/l or even higher.

You should talk with your home inspector about several things regarding radon.
• You will want to know if it is common to get elevated radon results in the area you are buying your new home.
• Another thing you will want to know, can they test the home will you need to call on another home inspection company to evaluate it.
• Talk to your home inspector about the possible health concerns of radon.

If you decide to get your residence tested and discover elevated Radon levels, this is something that can be readily remedied simply by installing a new radon mitigation system; these systems can be placed in just about any kind of structure at reasonable prices.

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Radon Gas – The Silent Killer in Your Home?

January 13th, 2011

You want to do everything possible to protect your family and make sure they are healthy, but you might be letting a silent killer into your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 21,000 deaths annually stem from radon induced lung cancer. This is greater than drunk driving deaths as tabulated by the Center for Disease Control. In fact, radon only trails smoking as the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Is there anything you can do to make sure your family is safe? Yes, there is but first a bit of background information of radon.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the Earth’s crust and it is found within every state. The trouble occurs as the radon attempts to escape from the crust into the atmosphere and encounters your home. Instead of dissipating, it seeps in through cracks and holes and begins building up greater and greater concentrations over time. Since the gas is heavy, it is more commonly found at the lower levels of a structure. In fact, radon levels are not a concern if you live on a third floor or higher. Generally, 1 in 15 homes have elevated radon levels although this varies by region of the country.

Radon leads to a greater risk of lung cancer with the risk increasing as you spend more time in your house being exposed to the gas. Smokers are even more at risk than non-smokers.

The insidious thing about radon is that its completely undetectable by human senses. It is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that can only be discovered with a radon test kit. These tests are inexpensive and can be purchased at hardware or home improvement stores. In the alternative, you can hire a radon-testing firm to check your radon levels

There are two types of tests – short term and long term. Short term is any test that monitors your home’s air for less than 90 days. The test period can be as short as a few days. When using one of these tests, it is best to place it at the lowest level of your house with all windows and doors shut. Further, cooler months yield better results than warmer months. Long-term tests are preferred for this reason. A long-term test can monitor you home for up to a year and will give you a much better idea of radon levels in your home over that time span.

It will be necessary to install a venting system if you have dangerously high radon concentrations. A contractor can guide you on the type of system you need. Fortunately, such a system can be installed with minimum modification to the home.

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