What is Radon and Why is it Dangerous? Everything You Need to Know

Sometimes the most dangerous things in life are the ones you can’t see. Radon gas is one of those things.

Colorless, odorless, and tasteless, radon gas is one of the most dangerous substances that can be inside a commercial building. If you haven’t heard of the risks associated with this gas before, that’s okay, most people haven’t. So if you’re a manager, commercial building owner, or just a human being, here are a few basic things you should know about radon and radon testing to protect yourself and your colleagues from this gas.

What is Radon Gas?
Radon is a naturally occurring noble gas that is created as a result of radium decay. It was discovered by English physicist Ernest Rutherford in 1899. Since then, the risks of radon in communal spaces have become more apparent.

In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer today. People who smoke and are in an environment where radon gas is present are in a much higher risk pool for developing lung cancer. Fortunately, radon testing has advanced enough to alert professionals to the presence of the gas.

Uses of Radon
Radon has been used in spas for certain treatments, as well as in labs to study surface reactions. Its medical benefits are questionable at best, but some disorders are still treated with it.

Production
Radon is not produced commercially as a product for consumption. Rather, radon is naturally occurring and comes from the radioactive decay of uranium. It’s usually found in igneous rocks and soil, but in some cases, well water may also carry it.

Exposure
The primary methods of exposure to radon are inhalation and ingestion. If radon is in a water supply, it’s more likely to be ingested than inhaled. Although ingestion is more likely, inhalation is the more dangerous of the two.

Radon Testing
Radon testing is the only way to know for sure if there is radon present in your environment. If radon has been found as a result of commercial or residential radon testing, radon mitigation is usually required. Radon mitigation and abatement services are designed to reduce the amount of this gas in any given environment. Approximately one in five American homes is estimated to have radon levels higher than the EPA action level, so testing is a must for your personal health.

It usually takes years for any physical symptoms to occur as a result of radon, but testing and mitigation are incredibly important as preventative measures. In fact, some systems of mitigation have been known to reduce radon levels by more than 50%. The only way to be safe is to be informed and to have your space tested.

If you live in Colorado, then don’t hesitate to contact Affordable Radon, LLC, for more information.