15 2023
In the environment, Radon is a tasteless, odorless, and colorless gas. It is a result of the decay of elements like uranium and radium. As these elements break down, they release Radon. As you may already remember, these elements are radioactive, naturally making Radon radioactive. And one thing you should know about radioactive elements and gases is that they are associated with significant health problems, the most prominent being cancer. Radon is shown to have a significant positive correlation with lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer, responsible for160,000 cancer deaths in the U.S.. However, lung cancer is also seen in people who do not smoke, and according to EPA, the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers is Radon. Additionally, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Each year, Radon is thought to cause 21,000 deaths from lung cancer.
Being exposed to Radon outdoors isn't a big issue since it's in the environment and disappears in the enormousness of the atmosphere. However, it is a problem indoors. Especially nowadays, people are trying to make their houses air sealed to save energy, and this causes the Radon to be trapped and accumulate over time. You and your family have no choice but to inhale this toxic gas. Particularly in basements, radon gas can accumulate to very harmful levels, and chronic exposure to this gas can have detrimental effects.
So how will you know if your home has safe levels of Radon? Well, saying there's a certain safe dose for Radon would be wrong. The only way to ensure that you are completely safe, there shouldn't be any exposure to Radon at all, which is unrealistic because Radon is very widespread. However, if your home has 2-4 pCi/L, EPA advises to consider radon remediation. If the number is above 4, fixing your home is definitely suggested. If out of 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to 4 pCi/L of Radon, about seven people could get lung cancer. Naturally, the probability increases with increasing levels of Radon.
So, if the radon gas is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, how will you know that your home has dangerous levels of Radon? You can't unless you call the professionals of a home inspection company for radon testing.
Remember that every house has different radon levels, so the low radon levels in your neighbor's house doesn't mean that it will be the same for you. Additionally, know that just because you contacted a professional for a radon test 5 years ago doesn't mean the radon levels in your home are still the same. Nearly one of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level.
At Atlanta Property Inspection, our nationally qualified home inspectors use modern technology and the latest equipment to find Radon. We offer radon testing along with home inspection, mold, and termite inspections. Contact our helpful staff to learn more about radon testing today and schedule your appointment.