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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2011)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, January 20, 2011 Radon can kill, home testing advised Protect debit card from skimming Radon is odorless, tasteless and invisible – and it could be in your home in dangerous lev- els. As part of National Radon Action Month, all Oregon resi- dents are urged to test their homes for radon, one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States. “Radon does exist through- out Oregon,” said radon coordi- nator Brett Sherry, Oregon Public Health Division. “It can be a silent killer in our homes. We hope that everyone would test their homes to protect themselves and their families.” Testing homes for radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test kits can be purchased at local hardware and home im- provement stores or directly from radon testing companies. Many test kits are priced be- tween $10 and $25. Radon problems can be fixed by qual- ified contractors for a cost sim- ilar to that of many common home repairs such as painting or having a new water heater installed, anywhere from $800 to about $2,500. Radon is a naturally occur- ring gas that comes up from the ground. It is dispersed in the outdoor air, but it can build up to dangerous levels when trapped in buildings. Scientists have long been concerned about the health risk of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming proof that exposure to elevated lev- els of radon causes lung can- cer in humans. The U.S. Envi- ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second lead- ing cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon levels vary through- out Oregon, depending on the underlying geology. For radon levels in your neighborhood visit the Oregon Public Health Radon Program website to look up radon test results by county or ZIP code: http://www.ore gon.gov/DHS/ph/rps/radon/in dex.shtml. “Testing also helps us know what areas may have more radon than others,” Sherry said. “However, it is possible for one home in a neighborhood to test high and neighboring homes to test low. You never know unless you test.” The test results are sent to the Oregon Public Health Radon Program by the testing companies but do not include exact addresses or homeowner names, just ZIP codes. Anyone needing more information after testing their home can contact the Radon Program. The Oregon Public Health Radon Program is working with EPA in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure. For more information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, radon-resistant new construc- tion, or to order a test kit online call the Oregon Public Health Radon Program at 971-673- 0440, visit www.healthore gon.org/radon or visit EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/radon/ nram. From page 5 “Skimming devices are be- coming increasingly harder to detect and often blend in seam- lessly with the ATM,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “If you’re going to use an ATM, it’s important to monitor accounts closely, so you can quickly de- tect fraudulent activity and min- imize your losses.” BBB recommends the fol- lowing steps to fight card skim- ming identity thieves: • Be picky with ATMs – Try to use the same ATM every time. This will make it easier to no- tice changes and identify at- tached devices that steal num- bers. Experts often recom- mend choosing bank ATMs over standalone ATMs; thieves sometimes place phony ATMs in public places. Avoid ATMs in poorly lit areas. • Protect PINs – When en- tering a PIN number, cover the keypad with a hand to prevent any cameras from catching dig- its. False keypads placed over real keypads are also a way scammers get PIN numbers; if the keypad looks different, move on. • Inspect the scanner – Skimming devices are often false panels attached to the ATM—usually where the card inserts into the machine. Wig- gle parts of the ATM that look damaged or different to check for looseness. Also look for new or suspiciously placed cameras and unusual signage. • Keep an eye on statements – Even the most vigilant person can still fall victim to ATM skim- mers, so keep a close eye on accounts and statements. Re- port suspicious activity immedi- ately. Consumer protections for debit cards vary, but depend largely on when the fraudulent activity is reported. Waiting too long to report fraud can lead to cleaned out bank accounts and difficulty reversing unautho- rized charges. A healthy diet can help fight off the winter sniffles and coughs People try many different methods to avoid catching a cold or flu during the winter months. One thing to remem- ber is that simple diet choices can boost our immune system. The following list includes sim- ple things that can boost the immune system to work at peak performance. • Get plenty of liquids to help prevent viruses and bacteria from taking up residence in your body. The mucus in your nose is actually one of the key physical barriers that keep germs out of your body. When you’re not well hydrated, it dries up and doesn’t provide that barrier. • Protein is a building block for a healthy immune system. Choose lean meats, poultry and fish, dried beans, and soy. You can also choose protein- rich plant sources with heart healthy fat, like peanut butter or nuts. • Choose foods rich in vita- mins C and E. These two an- tioxidant-rich vitamins may pro- tect cells – including those of your immune system – from damage by toxins in the envi- ronment. Choose citrus fruits, melons, mangoes, kiwi, pep- pers, tomatoes, berries, broc- coli, cabbage, sweet/white po- tatoes, winter squash, leafy greens, almonds, hazelnuts, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, safflower oil, whole grains and fortified cereals several times a day. • Eat probiotic foods to help build up good bacteria in the in- testines. These bacteria play a role in helping fend off illness- es. Any fermented food is rich in this type of good bacteria, so choose yogurt, sauerkraut, tofu, brined pickles and aged cheese at least d aily. • Add a zinc-rich food to your daily diet to increase the pro- duction of white blood cells in your body. Research shows State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 503-901-1705 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com that this may reduce the num- ber of days you suffer from a cold. Some foods rich in zinc are yogurt, lean red meat, poul- try and fish, almonds, pumpkin Columbia County Mental Health 800-294-5211 ----------------- Suicide Hotline 1-800- 784-2433 or 1-800-273- TALK(8255) seeds and fortified cereals. Source: Susan Mills-Gray, Nutrition and Health Education specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Domestic Abuse Hotline 503-397-6161 or 866-397-6161 ----------------- Military Helpline 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838)