The only way to know is to test.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon, an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that seeps into homes through foundation cracks, causes 100 times more deaths than carbon monoxide poisoning. About 20,000 people die each year in the U.S. due to breathing in too much radon. And they likely don’t even know it. The American Lung Association reports that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
Fortunately, home and property owners can protect their families and themselves against radon through easy testing. And technology is available to remediate a radon problem if it is found in a home. The EPA estimates that about 1 in 15 homes in the country have a high radon level.
What is radon?
Radon gas naturally occurs due to the breakdown of uranium in soils, rocks, and water. Uranium is a natural part of the earth’s crust. Thus, radon can be anywhere. Radon is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, which is why testing to determine its presence is so important.
Radon can enter a home or building from surrounding soils through cracks, sump pumps, and other holes in the property’s foundation. From there, radon gets into the air we breathe. In colder months, exposure to radon can be higher as people spend more time indoors.
How do you test for radon?
The EPA reports that radon testing, and follow-up remediation, can save thousands of lives across the country. Professional testing firms can help home and property owners with easy-to-use radon gas test kits.
Reliable and accurate radon test kits are left in the home or building for a period of time, often as little as two days. The kit is then analyzed by a licensed laboratory to determine radon levels in the property.
What if high levels of radon are detected?
Because there is no known level of radon exposure that is considered safe, the EPA recommends that owners consider remediating their home or property for radon levels between 2 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) and 4 pCi/L. If radon levels in a home or building are found to be above this recommendation, there are several methods proven to reduce radon.
The most popular method used is a sub slab depressurization system (SSDS), which pulls radon from beneath the concrete floor in the basement and vents it to the outside. Professional firms have the technical knowledge and skills to install such a system properly and can even work with the homeowner to blend the system in with surroundings such as landscaping, downspouts, and other home features.
Breathe easier with professional testing.
Radon testing is the first step toward peace of mind for protecting your family and home. Should radon levels be found to be too high, contacting experienced professionals ensures remediation is done right.
ENVIROSAFE is licensed through the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP). Detailed testing is performed in accordance with the ANSI/AARST 2014 (with 1/21 Revisions), Protocol for Conducting Measurement of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Schools and Large Buildings. Analysis is performed by an ELAP Accredited Laboratory. Contact us for more information today.
