Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment states that every state finds high levels of Radon in their borders somewhere. Roughly half of all houses in Colorado are at risk of higher than recommended levels as suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency. Local radon testing is, in other words, a statistical necessity based on frequency occurrence.
Just for a little bit of perspective. A family whose home has radon levels of 4 pCi/l is exposed to approximately 35 times as much radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would say is safe if standing next to the fence of a radioactive waste site.
Radon Is…?
A dangerous odorless tasteless unseen radioactive gas that can activate cancer in the lungs, that is what Radon is. It is also a naturally occurring gas created from the breakdown of uranium in the world.
Radon is the second most common influence in lung cancer deaths. Around 20,000 yearly deaths are influenced by Radon in the United States. Lung cancer chances increased by 16 percent per 100/Bq/m increase in long term concentration.
Radon is around 1,000 times more carcinogenic than any other EPA monitored carcinogen. At 4 pCi/l the risk of death is mostly accepted by scientists to be a one in 100 chance.
Radon Invades!
Most exposure is from inhalation or ingestion. Released Radon can cause decay in small broken down heavy metals such as lead. Then it quickly attaches to dust or other airborne particles which reaches the vulnerable lungs.
In the home it is produced by raw material in soil or rock. Then through cracks, sump pumps, or other breaches it enters and spreads. Local radon testing is useful for anyone concerned with their overall health and how it relates to their home.
To develop a proper defense in the home against Radon there is a clear need to consult a professional. While sump pump systems are a culprit in testing for Radon, it is not the end all villain. There are several different considerations for points of access and how to address the situation.
Radon abatement can stem from a number of approaches. For example, crawl spaces, in general, are a location prone to exposure. Vapor barriers can be important in radon mitigation. Speaking to a professional during a local radon testing process is a great point of contact for useful information.
Guarantees
A radon expert is going to have useful information about all of the following services: Radon mitigation/abatement, crawl space sealing, vapor barriers, sump pump installations, sump pit excavations, and a familiarity with the National Radon Proficiency Program.
An example of a reasonable guarantee from a radon mitigation company could be maintaining Radon levels of 3.9 pci/l or lower over 30 years; the point is that a professional can help protect a family’s home from an invisible killer.
In other words, the best guarantee is that radon test results are worth pursuing. There is a high likelihood that it could be beneficial to the health of a family. If 1 in 15 U.S. homes are estimated to have radon levels above EPA action levels, does it not make perfect sense to find out which home is the one?
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