Rockville Urges Radon Awareness for Homeowners
Safety for All: Building Codes in Action is the theme for May’s Building Safety Month.
“[T]he City of Rockville is committed to recognizing that our growth and strength depends on the safety and economic value of the homes, buildings and infrastructure that serve our citizens, both in everyday life and in times of disaster,” a proclamation from the Mayor and Council, declaring the month, states.
This month, Rockville is focused on radon awareness. Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas.
Rockville has mandated passive radon gas controls in city code for many years, said Rabbiah Sabbakhan, the city’s chief of inspection services, and most, if not all, newer homes in Rockville should be equipped with radon mitigation systems.
While no immediate symptoms will signal its presence, exposure at high levels can cause cancer. Testing is the only way to know a home’s radon levels.
Several associations and government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the surgeon general, recommend radon testing in homes. Many home improvement stores sell radon test kits. Homeowners may want to hire a radon measurement professional to test their home.
Learn more about radon at www.epa.gov/radon.
Find out more about Building Safety Month via the International Code Council at www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/building-safety-month.
To find out how Rockville maintains building safety, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/165/Permits-Inspections.