We’ve all heard of Carbon Monoxide, Asbestos and Propane gas leaks in homes, right? As a child, my dad always told me that if I came home and smelled rotten eggs that I needed to leave the house, dial 911 and stay as far away from the perimeter of the home as possible. It wasn’t until this past summer that I learned about the dangers and impact of Radon gas.
Radon takes more lives than the above hazards combined, but we rarely hear about it on the mainstream media. Why? Education surrounding Radon is rare, and many homeowners fall into the trap of believing that one alarm system will alert you of all of the possible hazards in your home. Unfortunately, this myth can ultimately lead to the death of you and your family. Heavy, I know, but you do have the ability to prevent this from happening through education, testing and mitigation.
What is Radon?
Radon (Rn) is a radioactive gas that is responsible for one death every 25 minutes and 21,000 deaths every year. Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless, and therefore, it is impossible to detect with human senses. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends homeowners take action against Radon once levels rise above 4 pCi/L (something you can have tested), which is the equivalent of smoking 10 cigarettes per day. Not shockingly, Radon has become the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the first cause of all environmental deaths.
How Does Radon Enter A Home?
Radon enters your home through an assembly line of groundwater, fractured bedrock and soil. If you have a basement in your home, you are more susceptible to Radon poisoning because it can enter through windows, cracks and sump pumps. So, are you safe from Radon if you don’t have a basement?
The answer is no. Even without a basement, in a place like an office building, church, or school, you are still at the risk of Radon. Radon is everywhere and can enter any structure through cracks, or small openings. Unfortunately, Radon can never be completely removed from a home, but there are companies that can remove the Radon
What Can I do to Keep my Family Safe From Radon?
The first step to a Radon-free home is testing. You can have your home tested for Radon for as low as $99. The short-term tests take 48 hours, and if your home is Radon-positive, you can begin mitigation for around $1,000. Mitigation typically takes 5 hours and will often include a re-test that will determine the new Radon-level. To give you the peace of mind you need, most Radon Mitigation Companies will continue services until your home is under the EPA-limit of 4 pCi/L.
Who Do I Call to Remove Radon?
The best person suited to solve radon problems is a certified Radon professional. Radon professionals are trained to determine the best way to mitigate radon from a home. They are also trained to properly conduct Radon testing to give an accurate reading and help you determine if Radon removal is right for you. When choosing a radon company, one thing to look for is a company that uses quality equipment and radon fans that are effective. Do not choose the first Radon company you see when you type in “Radon companies near me.” Make sure that you do your research, and find a Radon company that is going to best services your Radon needs.