Did you know the indoor air quality of your home could be contaminated with a dangerous gas called radon? While it’s not necessarily present in all homes, it could be potentially dangerous and cause lung cancer once it is. If you have never heard of radon or aren’t familiar with it, then keep reading below to learn more.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a gas you can’t see, taste, or smell. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air you breathe. The gas can enter your home through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Your home can trap radon inside, where it can build up. Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.
What Causes Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the breakdown of uranium in the soil, rocks, and water. It is present in all 50 states and can be found in indoor and outdoor air.
Does Radon Cause Lung Cancer?
Exposure to high levels of radon gas can cause lung cancer. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The risk of lung cancer increases with the time you are exposed to radon and the level of radon gas present.
How to Test for Radon?
While it is not always possible to test for radon, there are some simple steps you can take to test for radon in your home.
The first step is to contact your local health department or the EPA to find out if there are any testing requirements in your area. You can still choose to test for radon if there are no testing requirements.
There are two main types of radon tests: short-term and long-term. Short-term tests will give you an idea of the radon level in your home over days or weeks. Long-term tests will give you an idea of the radon level in your home over months or years.
If you decide to test for radon, you can either purchase a test kit or contact a professional service to do it for you. While a test kit is possible, it can also be easy to mess it up, especially if you are not knowledgeable.
How to Lower Radon Levels in Your Home?
You can do a few things to lower the radon levels in your home. One is to install a radon mitigation system. This system will help to remove radon from the air in your home and prevent it from entering.
Another way to lower your home’s radon levels is to ensure that your home is well-ventilated. This will help dilute the air’s radon and prevent it from building up to high levels.
Finally, you can contact a professional business that offers the service to lower radon in your home. This is probably the best way to deal with this scenario, as professionals have the knowledge and equipment to deal with this.
Conclusion
It is important to test for radon levels in your home, especially if you live in an area where radon is known to be present. There are many ways to test for radon, and if you find that your home has elevated radon levels, deal with it immediately to avoid further risk.
Need radon testing done? You can contact us at Ally Property Inspections. We are professional residential property inspectors in Birmingham. We ensure that the home you are moving into is safe for you and your loved ones. Get in touch with us to learn more about our services.