Can Radon be a Problem in Commercial Buildings?
Many people think of Radon Gas as a problem associated with residential homes. Of course it is extremely important to know if there is elevated radon levels in your home, however, you shouldn't overlook the risk of radon inside of commercial buildings.
There are a countless number of people who spend eight hours or more per day inside the same office or work space. This is a substantial amount of time, and if radon levels inside your workplace are high, then you have an increased risk of contracting lung cancer.
It is up to the owner of the building or the employer to ensure they are proving a safe work environment for their employees, and this should include commercial radon testing and mitigation services if needed to remove excess gas from the property.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United Sates, causing around 20,000 deaths per year. Although radon is dangerous inside homes, it can still be a serious problem inside commercial property buildings.
Table of Contents
- When do Commercial Properties need to Reduce their Radon Levels?
- Facilities that Should Take Precautions from Radon Exposure
- What to do if Radon is Found in a Commercial Property
- Multiple Suction Points for Installation
Contact a Licensed Radon Company
When do Commercial Properties need to Reduce their Radon Levels?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the declared action level for radon gas removal is 4.0 pCi/L. This means if radon testing is performed and the results come back at a 4.0 or higher, the owner should take immediate action to reduce the concentration levels of this dangerous gas.
Facilities that cater to children, the elderly, or and that contain the same individuals for long periods of time should be taking extra care to provide a radon free property. This includes:
- Schools
- Daycare
- Assisted Living
- Foster Homes
- Office Building
- Long Term Car Facilities
- Apartment Complexes
If you own a property, or spend a substantial amount of time inside a particular facility, making sure the radon levels are below the EPA recommended action level should be a top priority.
If you are not the property owner, you can find out if the property has been tested by asking building owner to provide you with any testing information they may have. If you are the property owner, you should take the initiative to make sure you are proving a safe space for everyone who frequents your building.
If you are the property owner, take care to ensure that your radon test is being performed correctly. Read our blog post: "What Affects a Radon Test? | Radon Testing Effectiveness"
What to do if Radon Gas is Found in a Commercial Property
Once you know the radon concentration levels inside a property, you will know if Radon Mitigation is necessary.
Radon mitigation for commercial properties is very similar to the removal process inside residential homes.
Both are permanent systems that utilize a suction point and piping to suck the radon found the soil underneath the building or structure, and discharge it out into the atmosphere. The mitigation systems for commercial properties can be a bit trickier to install and require more than one suction point and exit point for the gas.
The reason a commercial property many need multiple suction points has to do with the properties size. Buildings are often much larger than a normal residential home, which means installing one system in an entire building won't be beneficial whatsoever to removing excess radon gas.
When testing for radon, test kits will need to be place in various areas of the building, this is to determine the radon levels throughout the property because there is a chance they may fluctuate and certain areas of the building may not need remediation.
Once it is determined where the high concentration levels of radon are in the building, the removal specialist will be able to explain exactly where the systems need to be installed.
It is up to the licensed professional to find out the specific needs of the building, and to come up with the best plan for removal.
Contacting a Licensed Commercial Radon Testing and Mitigation Company
If you own a commercial property and it has never been tested for radon gas, do not put off the inspection any longer. Once the building is tested by a licensed professional, you can put your mind at ease that you're doing your part in keeping your property safe.
At Radon Eliminator we have a licensed team of professionals who have experience completing radon testing and mitigation services for various properties throughout the state of Ohio.
Remember, Radon can be find in any home or building, so your commercial property is no exception. Find out if your property is safe by contacting our Commercial Radon Testing and Mitigation Company today.
