Radon Dangers
Radon awareness has risen substantially the last few years because it is a serious threat to families all across America. Radon is estimated to cause 20,000 deaths each year from lung cancer according to the EPA and the Surgeon General Office. Smoking is the only cause of lung cancer that takes more lives per year. The EPA estimates that there are 8 million houses in the US with elevated levels of radon.
Radon is a radioactive gas produced from the decomposition of uranium and can be found in most soil variations. It travels upward through the soil, into the air, and goes into your house through cracks and through the water supply. It is a common myth that radon is only found in houses with basements but it is found in houses on slabs and crawlspaces as well. The gas is found in new construction and old.
The gas is dangerous because it is not visible, it does not have taste, and it is odorless. It is a slow killer and it takes years of exposure before health problems are detected.
So what do you do to protect your home and family? If you would like to protect your home, you need to get it tested for radon levels right away. You can either buy a radon test do it yourself kit online or you should get a radon mitigation company that is certified in your state to test your home.
Radon is typically reported in pCi/l which stands for pico curies per liter. If your house tests 4 pCi/l or higher for radon, steps should be taken to lower the levels.
Common radon mitigation systems use fans placed in the attic to move air from under the basement, slab, or crawl space. The fan then pushes the air out underneath the house and move it outside far enough so that the air cannot re-enter the home. If you get a radon mitigation system installed, you need to get your home tested again to ensure that the radon levels are acceptable.
In Conclusion, Get a Radon Test
Radon testing is now a common practice when buying or selling a home and for good reason. Radon testing is even required by many loan programs before a loan can be finalized. Even if you are not selling your home anytime soon, get your property tested and keep your family protected.
Learn more about radon at the EPA’s website<
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