Radon appears to be most common in homes in the Tennessee Valley and the Appalachian Mountains foothills from Jefferson and Shelby counties to Cleburne County. Indoor radon levels have also been found to be elevated in other parts of Alabama. The only way to determine the radon level in a home is through testing due to uranium breakdown.
What Is Radon?
When inhaled, radon is an odorless and tasteless gas that causes no symptoms. It is a gas that degrades into other byproducts when exposed to air. Although we breathe in and expel radon gas naturally, radon decay particles remain in our lungs. These particles can damage cells over time, causing them to mutate and, in turn, cause lung cancer.
When elevated radon levels are discovered in your home, it is classified as a Class A carcinogen. The presence of this hazardous substance can pose a lung cancer risk comparable to cigarette smoking.
What Is Radon Testing?
Radon Gas is not present in all homes during all times of the year. It is a seasonal problem because radon is present in the soil and rocks in the region during the winter months when there is less water available in the ground. However, it is highly recommended to test your radon levels at home during the winter seasons. This is because the house is mainly closed when radon concentrations are high.
The two types of radon tests are long-term radon detectors, which take three to twelve months to complete, and short-term radon kits, which take a few days to complete. Experts on radon testing here in Atlanta could help you out. If the initial test results are positive, repeat the procedure with a short- or long-term test to confirm the results.
The additional time required for a long-term test will have no discernible effect on the risk of radon exposure. Long-term test results provide a more accurate picture of radon levels because they account for temperature and barometric pressure changes.
Suppose your radon levels are higher than what the EPA and the ADPH recommend. In that case, you should think about installing a radon mitigation system. Homes with a crawl space, no gravel beneath the slab, or a fully finished lower level can be more expensive at times.
What Should You Consider Doing When Radon Levels Are High?
Suppose you are a homeowner trying to figure out how to tackle radon. In that case, you have several different systems to choose from. The EPA lists three types of systems: passive, active, and mechanical. A passive system draws radon-laden air into a pipe to a treatment device. It is placed in the lowest level of the home, usually the basement. The radon is treated, and the resulting clean air is vented back into the house.
Active systems use a similar method, but instead of releasing the air back into the home, it is piped to the outdoors. A fan can be used to draw the air from the lowest level of the house to the top to be vented out. Another option is to remove the air from the lowest level and pump it through a shroud with a fan to push the air out.
Conclusion
During winters where families stay at home, we want to do our best to keep them safe, especially from harmful chemicals, such as radon. Learn more and be aware of the information regarding these types of chemicals.
If you are looking for experts for home inspections in Atlanta, Ally Property Inspections gives the services that you need. Our Inspectors are highly competent to provide the necessary and easy-to-understand information so that our customers are comfortable in the process.