Keep Your Lungs Healthy – Radon
Radon Issues
Radon is a tasteless, odorless invisible gas which comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water that can seep into homes and can get into the air you breathe or the water you drink. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. When radon gas enters the body, it exposes the lungs to small amounts of radiation. In small exposures it is harmless. However, in larger quantities, radon can damage lungs which increases a person’s chance of developing lung cancer over time.
How Do You Test for Radon?
No matter where you live, all homes should be tested for radon every two years. You can test for radon with an Accu-Star Certified radon test from a local home center. The tests are easy to use and require minimal setup. One of the only requirements is that the test must be performed under Closed House Conditions for 12 hours. This requires all windows and doors to be closed except to enter/exit when needed.
How to Get Rid of Radon
If you find high levels of radon, you should immediately call your state EPA Office for a list of qualified mitigation contractors in your area. If you don’t get rid of the radon the correct way, you might actually increase the level of radon or lower the air quality in your house. A radon mitigation contractor will be able to tell you what kind of radon control system will be most effective for you. Be sure to test your home again once any work is completed and continue to do so periodically to ensure your mitigation system is working.
How to Prevent Radon
Contractors may suggest a sub-slab depressurization, where suction pipes are inserted through the floor or into the concrete slab below the home. A radon vent fan then draws out the radon gas and releases it outside. If you’re building a new home, you are able to install a passive radon control by installing four inches of gravel, beneath the slab or flooring system of your home. The contractor can then cover this layer with plastic sheeting to stop radon gas from moving past that level and into your home. Another major tip to prevent radon is to seal and caulk all cracks in your foundation and walls. Lastly, wire in an extra circuit to the attic so that a vent fan can be installed to turn the pipe into an active radon control system, which will blow the gas out of your home. For more questions, please call PegArch.
