Radon Gas

Radon was discovered in 1900.  It is a colorless, odorless gas that is formed by the natural breakdown of uranium, and is most often found in soil.  The health hazards associated with radon are so significant, that breathing it in on a regular basis can be as dangerous as smoking 130 or more packs of cigarettes a day!  Radon gas was first found to be a danger to humans in 1984 when it was discovered to be a presence in homes.  After lung cancer, radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer, so its implications are extremely serious.  It is still not known whether or not radon gas causes other forms of cancer, but some doctors believe that it does contribute to some cases of diseases such as multiple sclerosis.   Fortunately, there are ways to find out whether or not there is a presence of radon gas in your home.  Radon testing kits can be purchased from many retailers for the cost of about $10-$20.  The investment is certainly well worth it.

You can help to prevent radon gas from entering your home by sealing all cracks in your foundation, as well as any leaks or cracks in the water drainage system.  Many local affiliates will also perform free radon tests and radon gas mitigation tactics for a small fee or even free of charge.  Millions of homes have been tested, but there are still millions more that have not, so it is imperative that everyone try to at least find out the level of radon gas in their homes in order to protect themselves and their family from this extremely harmful element.  The more you know, the more you can be aware and informed about not only the dangers of radon, but how to prevent and remove it when necessary.