Long-term radon gas exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States and the leading cause among nonsmokers.
The following is a breakdown of how radon exposure poses health risks, including the risk of lung cancer:
Radon releases a type of radiation known as particle radiation.
After breathing radon, particle radiation damages the DNA in cells in the lung tissue.
The damage to our lungs is so significant that the body's natural repair processes are unable to deal with it effectively.
This results in potentially damaging genetic alterations, increasing the likelihood of those lung cells becoming cancerous. The more radon we are exposed to, the more mutations occur and the greater our risk of developing lung cancer.
Table of Contents
- Selling your Home is Easier
- Radon Cannot be Seen, Smelled, or Tasted
- Radon is the Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Among Non-Smokers
- Ohio Homes Have High Exposure Levels
- One in fifteen homes in the United States contain high levels of Radon
Schedule a Discounted Radon Test
Where is Radon Found?
Radon gas is formed naturally in the soil by the breakdown of uranium. Although some areas of the United States have higher amounts of radon, elevated levels have been observed in houses throughout the country.
Radon may be present in well water or objects imported into homes (such as granite counters) in addition to soil.
Radon is found in trace concentrations in the atmosphere throughout the planet. Radon levels in outdoor air average 0.4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L), whereas indoor air levels can be much higher.
Today we will touch on the 5 most important reasons to check your Radon levels to ensure you and your family are living in a safe environment.
Want more information about why you must have your home tested for radon? Read our blog post: “Why Radon Testing is Critical.”
Reason 1: Makes Your Home Easier to Sell
Having your Radon levels checked in your home before putting your house on the market is becoming a standard procedure for most homeowners.
New buyers want radon testing in their potential new home before completing the real estate transaction.
Ensuring indoor radon gas levels are taken care of before putting your house on the market will prevent future surprises before a home inspection.
Do you have a busy schedule? Learn more about the time commitment in our blog post: "How Long Does Radon Testing Take?"
Reason 2: Radon is Invisible
Radon is a radioactive gas that cannot be detected by smell, sight, or taste.
The only way dangerous levels of radon can be detected is to perform a radon test.
For these reasons, the presence of radon often goes undetected until severe health issues, such as radon poisoning, cannot be reversed.
Reason 3: Radon Causes Lung Cancer
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in general, according to the EPA.
Radon breaks down into a radioactive element, which can be absorbed into the lungs through dust and other airborne particles.
These particles will become trapped and can damage the lining of the lungs. This may increase your chance of respiratory problems.
Reason 4: All Ohio Homes Contain Radon
Many Ohio homes have high exposure levels of Radon due to our climate and how our homes were built.
Most Ohio homes have basements that are used as living spaces which puts families closer to the source of the problem.
Radon levels are higher during the winter months, which contributes to exposure level compared to other states.
Reason 5: Any Type of Home Can Contain Radon
One in fifteen homes in the United States contain dangerous radon levels.
Any type of home built on a concrete slab is most likely affected.
Radon enters the home through foundation cracks, water supply sources, crawl spaces, and unsealed spaces around service pipes, such as a sump pump.
Close to half of the radon tests that are performed contain radon concentrations that are above average, which means that there are over 25,000 homes in Ohio with lethal levels of cancer-causing radon gas.
Radon Remediation
If there are dangerous levels of radon gas in a home, you should contact a qualified radon mitigation provider near you.
If there is radon in the air, mitigation is achieved through ventilation, which is generally accomplished by drilling holes in the house's floor slab and sucking gas under pressure from the underlying soil.
If there is radon above the slab, the home must be sealed in an airtight envelope, and gas must be suctioned out of ventilation systems, wall gaps, and crawlspace.
Once the installation is complete, the specialist will re-test your home with a continuous radon monitor to ensure that the average radon levels in the home have dropped below the EPA-recommended action level.
Take Action and Have Your Home Tested by a Radon Professional
These five reasons are just a few of the many reasons why you should have your home tested for elevated radon levels.
There are many things in life we cannot control, so let us take advantage of the things we can change.
If you are unsure if your home contains high indoor radon levels, do not hesitate to contact a professional to install a radon continuous monitoring device to check the radon readings in your home.
It is better to know if there is a radon issue so you can make an informed decision to take the necessary action to fix the problem.
Click on the link below to contact our qualified contractors if your home needs testing for radon gas.
