Radon is a toxic, radio-active gas that can cause cancer and death. Radon can be found anywhere at any time, no one is immune. It can be found in new and old houses alike and if there is a leak, it is trapped inside your house where it continues to build. Radon comes from the natural decay of the uranium in soil and it can get into your house through your water supply, or once it reaches the air it can come in through drafty windows, cracks in the foundation, construction joints, cracks in the walls and ceilings, and from any gaps around pipes.
There are two general types of radon tests: short-term and long-term. The short-term tests will test the radon levels in your home for between two days and ninety days, depending on the test you purchase. Obviously, a short-term test is the best way to get quick results, but if the test results show more than 4 pCi/L then you will need to do the long-term test. Please note that radon tests can be purchased online from this website.
Long-term tests will show the radon levels in your home for longer than ninety days. The benefits of long-term tests are that they will give you a better idea of your year-long radon levels, and because the levels will fluctuate this is the best way to get the average levels.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home, but the one primarily used is a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside.”
By repairing cracks in your foundation and any drafty windows, you will help the ventilation process considerably. Get a copy of the “Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction” a copy can be obtained from your state radon office.
Radon can get into well water, and gets released into the air when you shower and use water for other household chores. According to radon tests, drinking radon infused water is far less risky than breathing it in, but it still puts you and your family at risk. There are water tests available, and if you find radon in your water, there are two options: point-of-entry treatments for well water, and point-of-use treatment for the tap. However, these treatments will not rid the air of radon.
Radon is something to be scared about. So have your home tested and, if need be, make the necessary repairs. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer (smoking is the first) and there is no putting a price on that.
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