In short Radon, similar to carbon monoxide, is an odorless vapor and just like carbon monoxide, it is also toxic and harmful towards the longevity of your life.
When people think about threats to their home, they often think of severe weather, fires, mold, etc. but one of the most serious hazards is something that most people have never even heard of, Radon. As stated above, Radon is a natural occurring radioactive gas that can not be smelled, seen, or tasted, yet it is responsible for tens of thousands of preventable lung cancer diagnoses, and thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths, every single year.
If you have never had your home tested for radon, you could very well be living with elevated levels without even knowing it. Fortunately, radon testing is fairly simple and can be quick, and professional radon mitigation systems can drastically reduce the radon levels within your home, helping create a healthier indoor environment for you and your family.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally as uranium breaks down in soil, rock, and groundwater. As the gas is released from the ground, it can seep into homes and commercial buildings through but not limited to:
- Foundation Cracks
- Basement floors and walls
- Crawl spaces
- Construction joints
- Gaps around plumbing and utility penetrations
- Sump pits and floor drains
Because radon is colorless, odorless, and invisible, the only way to know your homes radon levels is through testing.
Why Is Radon Dangerous?
The danger comes from breathing in radon over a long period of time.
As radon decays, it produces tiny radioactive particles that can become trapped inside your lungs. These particles emit radiation that damages lung tissue over time, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer.
According to health authorities:
- Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
- Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall, after smoking.
- Thousands of Americans die each year from radon-indusced lung cancer.
The risk becomes even greater for smokers because smoking and radon exposure together significantly increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
Can Any Home Have Radon?
Yes, absolutely and chances are, depending on where you live within the United States, take Michigan for example, not only does your home have radon but it most likely has elevated, unhealthy levels of radon.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that only old homes or homes with basements or crawl spaces have a radon problem. In reality, any home can have elevated radon levels, including brand new homes.
What Is A Safe Radon Level?
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter, pCi/L.
Truthfully, there unfortunately is no “safe” radon level, the closer you get it to the natural occurring level of 0.4-0.6, the better.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking action if your homes radon level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher. However, many homeowners choose to reduce levels even when they fall between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, since no amount of radon exposure is considered completely risk-free and safe.
The goal of a professional mitigation system is to reduce radon levels as low as reasonably possible.
Protect Your Family With Professional Radon Mitigation!
Radon is an invisible threat but it does not have to remain a threat to you and your family anymore.
Whether you are purchasing a new home, preparing to sell your old home, or simply want peace of mind, professional radon testing and mitigation can significantly reduce you and your family’s long term health risks.
At BYE BYE RADON, we specialize in professional radon testing and custom radon mitigation solutions designed to lower indoor radon levels safely and efficiently. Our experienced team is committed to helping homeowners create healthier indoor environments with reliable, high quality installations and exceptional customer service.
If you are ready to protect your home and those living within it, contact BYE BYE RADON today to schedule your FREE in-home consulations now.