The presence of radon in homes throughout America is more common than you might think. Research shows that about 6% of homes throughout the United States have radon levels that are either at or above the EPA action level. Therefore, it makes sense to want to learn more about radon. Here’s more information about the health hazards of radon and how to detect this gas in your home.
Health Hazards of Radon
It’s understandable to wonder how radon affects your health. Unfortunately, radon is a gas that’s impossible for humans to detect on their own. You’ll be unable to see, smell, or taste the presence of radon. This doesn’t mean that radon exposure causes no health risks. If you’re exposed to high levels of radon, you could risk developing lung cancer. In fact, both the EPA and the Surgeon General estimate that almost 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year are caused by radon exposure.
How to Detect for Radon in Your Home
If you’re wanting to learn about whether or not radon is in your home, you’ll need to obtain a test. You’ll find that there are either short or long terms for you to use. If you want to obtain the fastest results, you’ll want to choose a short term detector. These detectors measure radon levels ranging from 2 to 90 days.
It’s important that you place your radon detector in the lowest level of your home. If you live in a home with a basement that people often spend time in, place the detector there. If your home either has no basement or does but no one spends time there, place the detector somewhere on the first floor. In addition, make sure to avoid placing a short term radon detector where you use lots of water. Rooms to avoid include kitchens and bathrooms.
It’s understandable to worry about seeing any amount of radon present in your home. Don’t be afraid, there’s a certain amount of radon present in many types of properties. You’ll only need to take action if you notice that your home contains high levels of radon.
Contacting a Local Radon Mitigation and Abatement Company
If your detector shows you have a radon level that’s at or above four, it’s time to contact the professionals. Many people contact a local radon mitigation and abatement company for a fast and reliable solution to this problem. A radon abatement service is able to find and fix properties where radon levels are at or above the EPA’s recommended action level.
To summarize, it’s important to understand how the presence of radon can affect your health. Considering how difficult it is to test for radon, you’ll want to purchase a detector. It’s not wise to continue living in a home with high levels of radon. If you want to fix this problem, consider contacting a local radon mitigation and abatement company. These companies are able to utilize special equipment, reducing the presence of this gas to safe levels.
