Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is known to cause lung cancer. Having your home tested is the only way to effectively determine whether you and your loved ones are at risk of high radon exposure.
If you are still not convinced about the importance of this testing, you should know that 15 homes across the country are suspected to have elevated radon levels. Also, did you know that there is no completely safe level of radon exposure? Because radon is naturally occurring, it can be found anywhere in the country.
The Dangers of Home Radon Exposure
Radon naturally forms when uranium, radium, or thorium breaks down in rocks, soil, and groundwater. You can be exposed to radon mainly from breathing it in the air that comes through cracks and gaps in your home. As you breathe in the gas, radioactive particles from it can get trapped in your lungs. Over time, these particles increase your risk of lung cancer. And you have an increased risk of this cancer if you are a smoker.
Radon is an invisible danger. Because it cannot be smelled, seen, or tasted, it cannot be detected in your house without proper testing. This means that radon testing is important to know if your property and family are safe.
How to Protect Your Family Against Radon
Radon test kits are cheap and easy to use on your own. They can be bought online or in any hardware store. After you leave these kits in your house for several days, you just mail them to a laboratory for analysis. Also, you can hire a professional to test radon levels in your house. According to the EPA, all homes below the third floor must be tested, including new homes that were not constructed with resistance to radon.
Licensed radon specialists provide different methods of testing whether you want to purchase or sell a house or are looking to have an active radon system installed. They can design and build a system customized to suit your specific needs. Also, you can take advantage of their packages based on your preferences and what matches existing aesthetics.
If the radon test reveals that your house has an elevated radon level, you must speak with a qualified contractor about how to fix your home. The contractor may recommend sealing cracks or increasing ventilation. Also, you must inform your doctor about any exposure you and your family may have had with elevated radon.
