Radon Found at 17 Air Force Bases Overseas
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WASHINGTON — The Air Force said Friday unhealthy levels of radioactive radon gas have been found at 17 of its 45 overseas bases, two of them requiring quick corrective action.
Radon is a colorless, odorless natural gas that seeps into buildings from decaying uranium in the soil. Scientists say inhaled radon may increase the risk of lung cancer.
It has been estimated that radon may cause anywhere from 5,000 to 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States.
The Environmental Protection Agency considers any radioactivity reading above 4 picoCuries to be unacceptable.
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