For us Ohioans winter is quickly approaching, and for most of us, we have probably already bolted up our homes and turned on the heat. With our homes sealed and the heat on, there is not much air flow from outdoors to indoors. So what does this mean?
Hopefully you've heard of radon and radon poisoning by now, but many people haven't.
If you haven't heard of radon yet, it's a radioactive gas that can be extremely dangerous in high quantities.
Radon is a naturally occurring element that develops from the radioactive decay of radium.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classes radon as a carcinogen, meaning that radon poisoning can lead to cancer.
Radon is actually the leading cause of lung cancer, right behind smoking, claiming nearly 21,000 lives a year.
A question we get a lot here at Radon Eliminator is, "what are the symptoms of radon exposure?"
People want to know if the pain they're experiencing is due to elevated levels of radon.
And, more specifically, they want to know if they get their headaches because of radon exposure.
Even if you don't have headaches, are you concerned you may have been exposed to radon? Read our blog post: "Am I at Risk for Radon Poisoning?"
In the article below, we'll talk about radon poisoning, and find out if you can blame your headaches on radon exposure.
This potentially deadly force is all around us, although few are truly aware of its presence or the dangers that it may possess. With the right knowledge, you can protect yourself from this hidden hazard by equipping yourself with the tools to better understand this element and it's potential dangerous effects that it can have on your body.
The dangers of radon gas are finally starting to become mainstream, and it's about time.
Did you know that radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, right behind cigarette smoking?
And, did you know that most people don't realize they've been exposed to radon until they've been diagnosed with lung cancer?
It's a scary thought, and it's one we don't want you to worry about.
So, how do you know if you're at risk for radon poisoning or lung cancer before the diagnosis?
Concerned you potentially may have been exposed to high levels of radon? Read our blog post: "What are the Signs Your Home Has a Radon Problem?"
We'll explore that question and more below.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium found inside soil and rock.
Radon escapes from the soil and rock beneath the earth and finds its way into homes through openings and cracks in the foundation. Once inside, it becomes trapped, and in some homes it can accumulate to very high levels.
Radon frequently enters the house through the basement. This begs the question: “Can You Install a Radon Mitigation System in a Finished Basement?” Read our blog post to find out!
There are many things that Ohio residents do not know about radon gas, despite it being the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Many people are under the impression that radon has an odor, and if they are not smelling a funny odor in their basement than that must mean their home does not contain radon.
We are here to tell you that Radon Gas has NO smell.
That's right, we hate to be the ones to break it to you, but radon doesn't smell like anything at all. It is a completely odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas, which is one thing that makes it so dangerous, it's completely undetectable without proper testing equipment.
For more information on detecting high radon levels read our blog post: "What Are The Signs Your Home Has A Radon Problem?”
If you aren't familiar with Radon, you're not alone.
Most people are unaware of what radon is, and that is very unfortunate.
Cancer.org defines radon as a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas.
It forms naturally from the decay of radioactive elements like uranium that are found in soil and rock throughout the world.
Once in the soil, radon gas can move into the air and underground water and surface water.
Now, you might be wondering why cancer.org has a definition of radon on their website.
It's because behind only smoking; radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
It's responsible for between 15,000 to 22,000 deaths a year.
Hopefully now I have your attention.
Radon can be in your house right now, penetrating cracks in your foundation and floors, or seeping into your water supply without you knowing it.
That was the case for the former USA hockey star Rachael Malmberg.
We'll talk about her story below.
For more information about uranium and radon risks to your wellbeing, read our blog post "What are the Health Risks of Uranium." here.
Selling a home is often a very stressful process. Trying to prepare your home so it's presentable to strangers can be very frustrating. You want your home to sell, but the fact is, making it appealing to a wide variety of prospective buyers can be enough to drive you mad.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that comes from decaying uranium.
Radon is present in nearly all soils, and very low levels of radon gas are found in the air we breathe every day.
Problems arise when radon gas enters your home and gets trapped.
If you're exposed to radon over long periods of time, you may develop lung cancer. Radon poisoning is the second leading cause of lung cancer, right behind cigarettes.
Radon gas begins in the soil, and enters your home through cracks in your walls or foundation. Any house, of any age, in any state can have elevated radon levels.
The amount of radon gas that gets into your home depends on how much radon is present in the soil surrounding your house, and how your house interacts with the soil.
Your neighbors home could be completely safe, while you're radon levels could prove to be dangerous. That's why it is important to know you;re levels, and not just assume you're safe.
So, how do we get rid of radon? If elevated levels are due to the gas being trapped inside, is opening the windows enough to make your house safe?
We'll look at that and more below.
People are becoming more and more health conscious with every passing year.
Good health and longevity have become a priority for many people, and they will go to great lengths to achieve it.
Cigarette smoking, once a status symbol among the "cool" and "hip," is now all but demonized.
Most indoor establishments have banned it, college campuses have made it illegal to have a cigarette altogether, and you rarely ever see anyone smoke a cigarette in TV or movies anymore.
There's a new fad diet that pops up every couple of weeks, whether it's plant-based, paleo, whole30, weight watchers, or one of the many, many others.
Exercising has never been more in demand. The rise of the "fitness entrepreneur" is proof of that.
People won't go near things that have been proven to cause cancer and for a good reason. No one wants cancer.
If something is known to be a carcinogen, it must come with a warning, or there could be grounds for a lawsuit.
But what if I told you there's a place in Montana where people willingly expose themselves to high levels of carcinogens.
They are willing to breathe in air and drink water full of the second leading cause of lung cancer in America.
I'm talking about radon, and there's a place in Montana where people pay to inhale and drink radon.
Sounds crazy, but it's real.
We'll learn more about it in the article below.
Radon is not just a threat to those who spend times in caves. Radon in the home is a serious problem. For more information, read our blog post "The Connection Between Radon and Real Estate." here.
