Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas found in homes. It comes second to cigarette for causing lung cancer and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), as many as 20,000 lung cancer death annually associated with radon. Radon testing and inspection is the most effective way to determine radon levels in your houses, and if you and your family are exposed to dangerous levels of radon.
Your Risk of Developing Lung Cancer Depend Mostly On
- Level of radon in your home and the exact location of the concentration i.e. living room, bedroom, or basement
- Are you currently smoking or have a history of smoking
- How much time do you spend in your house?
- Do you smoke and burn wood, coal or other fuels — that contaminates indoor air quality– in the home
Colorless, odorless radon gas is found naturally from the ground but often gets trapped indoors after seeping through joints, cracks on walls, foundations and openings on the roof. Once you test traces of radon in your home, there are key steps you need to consider as a homeowner to ensure a radon free home.
Identify and Confirm the Extent of the Problem
Before working on reducing radon in your home, it’s recommended to consider continuous testing and monitoring of the gas in order to confirm radon levels. This mainly because levels vary and so you could have inconsistent and unreliable results.
Hire Professional Radon Testing Company
While it’s easy to fix a house that has high radon levels with simple DIY steps such as sealing wall and foundation cracks and improving indoor air quality. However, due to the complexity of the work such as installing a radon mitigation system, the EPA recommends homeowners to hire experienced radon contractors.
A complete radon mitigation system comprises ventilation piping that collects radon in your home and vents it outside the house using, a fan to ensure quality indoor air, and proper sealing of cracks on the foundation and walls. Wondering where to start! Consult with your local radon office for a list of certified and professional radon mitigation contractors in your area.
Retest to Confirm Reduced Radon Levels
A good radon mitigation contractor will likely conduct a final test once the system is installed to ensure it functions properly. But you’re also encouraged to ensure continuous testing to know you’re not exposed to the dangerous levels of radon. Even with a robust mitigation system, the best way to determine your radon levels is by regular testing.
The process is pretty simple and straightforward. However, several factors will determine the cost of radon mitigation system, including home size and region. Also, if you’re building a new home, it would be important if you can get radon-resistant materials that significantly reduce and eliminate radon in your home.
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