You may have heard of radon before, but maybe you aren’t sure exactly what it is or what it does. Maybe you do know what it is, but you’re one of the many people who tell themselves, “That can’t happen in my home.” Well, it can. And since radon can cause lung cancer and other health problems, radon testing is extremely important.
Here are some reasons why it’s essential to get your home rested for radon — no matter where you live.
You can’t detect it on your own
Radon is a radioactive gas that can be found anywhere in the country, whether you live in a new or old home. It is released when uranium decomposes in the soil underground. It can often leak through the cracks in your foundation, through your sump pump, and many other ways. Radon has no color or odor, so without hiring a radon testing contractor, you will have no idea if you have radon in your home.
It can cause lung cancer
According to the Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Because radon is a radioactive gas, it can cause mutations in your lungs when you breathe it in. The radon particles get trapped in your lungs and then they break down, causing tissue damage. Radon is the cause of roughly 20,000 lung cancer deaths every year.
Radon levels can vary
The levels of radon in your home can vary daily or even hourly. Radon levels are typically the highest at night and during the winter. This is because you typically close all your windows and doors during these times. Testing for radon should be done at least every three months, especially during the winter and the fall, to determine the concentration of radon in your home.
You can get rid of it
If a radon testing contractor finds high levels of radon in your home, there are things you can do to get rid of the deadly gas. You can install mitigation and abatement systems, as well as seal off certain areas where radon may be getting into your home. Most reduction systems have been proven to reduce radon levels by as much as 99%.
According to the United States EPA, roughly one out of three homes checked in seven states and on three Indian lands tested positive for levels of radon higher than 4 pCi/L, which is the EPA’s recommended action level for radon exposure. No matter where you live, there is a possibility that you have radon seeping into your home right now. Hire a radon testing contractor to come and test your home so you can take the necessary actions to reduce or even get rid of the toxic gas in your home. It just might save your life.
Recent Comments