Tag: radon

Nearly one out of every fifteen homes has a level of radon that is found to be unacceptable by the Environmental Protection Agency.  Radon hold second place for causing lung cancer deaths. Smoking is the only thing that causes more lung cander.  If you want to keep your family safe then you should stop smoking and get radon monitors.  You will want to have radon monitors so that you know that your basement, which you are thinking of turning into a playroom, will not contaminate your children’s lungs.

Radon mostly comes from rock or soil under a home or business.  High air pressure under a building will push the radon gas up into the lower air pressure in your home.  Radon can easily come through cracks in floors and walls, joints in construction materials, gaps in suspended floors, gaps around pipes and wires in the building or it can be dissolved in well water.  Once the radon gets into the home it becomes concentrated and can be breathed in or can get into water and can be drunk. 

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests everyone use radon monitors in their homes below the third floor.  Radon monitors come where you can monitor the radon on a few days basis or a few months basis.  Radon monitors that work over a few months are a bit more accurate because radon can fluctuate under different weather conditions.  You want to make sure that you follow the directions on the radon monitors you choose so that you get an accurate test.

It is not possible to predict which homes will be susceptible to radon and which homes will not.  Radon levels can even vary from one building to the next even if they are right next to each other.  For the safety of your home, business and family you should run a radon test every year.

When a family is moving into a new home, one of the many tasks that should be done immediately is to have a radon inspection done. Radon is an invisible, tasteless, and odorless gas that is emitted from the ground nearly everywhere on the planet. This gas is released as the element radium decomposes in the earth, and it has highly radioactive properties that may cause lung cancer in people if it is inhaled in great quantities.

When deciding to do a radon inspection, one has the choice of purchasing a retail test kit or calling a professional to complete the examination. A homeowner can save a bit of money, initially, by purchasing a short-term radon detection kit, and doing the tests himself or herself. Such tests are relatively inexpensive, and will be a good indicator as to whether there is any radon present in the home, and they will also give a rough estimate of the concentration, if the gas is present.

If the first tests prove positive for the gas, then the next step in a radon inspection would be to purchase the longer-duration radon test. This version is designed to remain in the home for several weeks or even months. Because the levels of radon within the house will naturally fluctuate, the long-term test will give the homeowner a better idea of whether the concentration is dangerous.

The other option to the homeowner is to conduct a professional radon inspection, either in lieu of the do-it-yourself tests, or in conjunction with them. With an array of special equipment, a professional service can better estimate the extent of the radon problem, if it exists. When there is a problem, often, the same agency can be hired to conduct the abatement procedures, the extent of which will depend on the amount of radon in the home. Once the abatement procedure is complete, and a follow-up radon inspection is done, the family will be much safer.

The problem with Radon lies when a building with poor ventilation traps this natural gas.  The gas then builds up and forms carcinogens that can cause lung problems up to and including lung cancer.  The good news is that you can track the amount of Radon in your home with the use of Radon inspectors.

There are several different types of Radon inspectors that can be used in the home.  There are radon inspector kits that you can use for a few days or for a year to monitor the Radon levels in your home.  Many of the Radon inspectors are of the do it yourself type, but there is always the option of calling in a professional Radon inspector as well if you wish. 

When you are using the Radon inspector kits you want to place the inspector either in the basement or the lowest level of living space.  Ideally you want the results of your Radon inspector to be lower than 4 pc/l.  If you have a Radon inspector with a reading from 4pc/l to 10pc/l you may want to repeat the test just to make sure that environmental factors did not affect Radon levels.

If you have a poor reading from the Radon inspector tests you have run then you should call in a professional to increase the ventilation in your home and reduce the levels of Radon.  You want to make sure that your house is not the cause of lung disease and sickness for your family.
Running a Radon inspector test once a year will help keep everyone in your home healthier.

Radon is found naturally in the world, particularly in hot springs or areas where there are granite deposits in the earth.  Radon is continually evaporating in the air all over the world.

Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that is lethal.  However, what makes radon extremely dangerous is the fact that it is invisible.  You can’t see, smell, or even taste radon gas.  Without using a radon detector, you have no idea that it is present in your home. Radon is so dangerous that the Environmental Protection Agency has stated that radon is responsible for thousands of death each year.   Radon is the second highest factor that contributes to lung cancer this makes it a carcinogenic, or cancer causing agent.  As a natural gas, radon is found in outside soil, however when it is present in the home, people will continuously breathe in the dangerous gas without even realizing it.  The only way to find out if radon is in your home is to use a radon detector.

Using a radon detector kit is simple.  You can purchase them inexpensively and use them by following the instructions that are included with the kit.  Once you perform the test, you then send in the results back to the manufacturer and they will perform the analysis.
Testing for radon is one of the smartest things that a person can do to ensure that their home is safe for themselves and their children.

A radon detector kit can be used anywhere, not only in a home but in a place of business as well.  Testing for radon should be performed at least yearly.  If the radon detector analysis comes back positive, you will be able to easily remove the radon from your home.  Using a radon kit is very simple and it is the only way to determine if radon is present in your home or business.  No matter where you live, you should always check for radon in your home, since radon is abundant in all states.  Radon is dangerous and lethal, however it is preventable, as long as you detect it early.

One of the several silent killers that can be lurking within a home is radon gas, and it is advisable that every residence be tested periodically with proper radon detection equipment, to ensure that it is safe. Older homes are especially vulnerable to the problem, because radon enters the house through basement walls and floors that are no longer properly sealed. When concentrations of the radioactive gas reach dangerous levels, anyone who is exposed to it has a higher chance of developing lung cancer.

Fortunately, there are a variety of radon detection systems available to the homeowner today. In order to determine whether or not there is a radon in the home, there are several short-term tests on the market, which are relatively inexpensive. These tests will alert a person to the presence of the gas, and give an initial estimate of how much is present in the home.

Because the amount of radon gas will vary over a span of time, the next step in the radon detection process would be to purchase one of the long-term tests. These devices will remain in a home over a period of thirty to ninety days, and when the time has lapsed, a more accurate estimate of the radon level will be achieved. If the concentration within the building is abnormally high, it will then be time to hire a professional to remedy the problem.

When the professional arrives at the home, he or she will likely perform additional radon detection tests, in order to determine the best solution for the problem. Then one of many radon mitigation systems will be installed that will reduce the concentration of the gas to an acceptable level, or eliminate it completely.

Once the job is done, it is a good idea to run a follow-up radon detection test to ensure that the desired results were obtained. This will ensure that the air is safe to breathe for the family that is living in the home.

Radon is a chemical element that is formed by the decay of radium.  Although the half-life of the most stable form of radon is only 3.8 days, (meaning that it naturally breaks down very quickly) radon is a very harmful gas.  Radon gas is created by granite and shale in areas all around the world.  As the radon gas seeps out of the ground, it can accumulate in poorly ventilated basements.  Radon gas is much heavier than other components of the atmosphere so can reach dangerous levels in basements. 

When testing for radon, the best method is to do long term testing.  Testing is accomplished by hanging a detector in your basement for a week.  You then send the detector off to a laboratory to analyze the results.  If they return with a positive result you then should purchase a longer term test to confirm the results.  Radon levels can fluctuate wildly so by having a longer scale test you’ll be able to confirm the presence of the radon and at what levels. 

There are many opinions on what the acceptable level of radon is in your home.  The European Union recommends that action should be taken in old house with a reading of over 11 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) and over 5 pCi/L for new houses while Canada recommends action with a reading of over 5 pCi/L.  The United States Environmental Protection Agency has some of the strictest guidelines and strongly recommends action with a radon detection reading of over 4 pCi/L and encouraging action at 2 pCi/L.  Major health studies have shown that concentrations of over 4 pCi/L create an increased risk of lung cancer.

The Surgeon General of the United States has said that over 20,000 deaths a year are caused by radon poisoning.  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, only behind smoking.  In addition to lung cancer, radon has been suspected of causing other, non-cancer illnesses such as multiple sclerosis however studies have not yet shown a definite relationship.  Radon detection is a relatively cheap process and can help keep you and your family healthy.

Radon gas is not to be confused with the type of gas that may fuel your stove or home heating system. Gas stoves and heat rely on your utility company, which deliberately puts that sulfurous smell into your gas pipes.  This smell enables you to tell if you have a gas leak, which enables you to evacuate your house (since gas leaks can cause explosions) and call the utility company immediately.  Radon, on the other hand, can kill you silently. You may not even be aware of exposure until years later, when the damage finally becomes evident.  It builds up over time without causing immediately noticeable symptoms.

Radon gas is a naturally occurring, odorless gas.  Radon exposure can lead to lung cancer (and is the leading contributor to lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers) but the only way to tell if it’s present is with a radon gas detector.  Radon is present in all parts of the country, often at harmless levels, but there’s no way to tell for sure without testing.  Even houses near each other may have very different radon levels.  If a radon gas detector finds that your house has a problem you can have a radon mitigation system installed (this usually involves a pipe that vents from your foundation to the outside with a  fan, designed to pull radon into the surrounding air rather than build up in your home).

Radon gas detectors are easy to acquire and use. It’s important to follow the instructions carefully.  Generally, you’ll have to send the radon gas detector kit back to a lab for a reading by a professional, and the results are mailed back to you.  The entire process can take a few weeks, so be sure to allow for this if you are buying or selling a home.

Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that naturally occurs in the soil.  This gas is extremely dangerous when humans breathe it in at high levels.  Since radon is so hard to detect, many people can live for years in a home with high radon levels and not even know it.   Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking cigarettes.  If you have an older home, or a home with a basement, it is extremely important that you get a radon test so you can be aware of the current levels in your home.  In most cases, radon seeps up through cracks in the flooring of a home’s foundation but those with well water should also be aware of its presence in the drinking water as well.  A simple radon test can help you to determine how much radon is in your home’s environment, and can help you decide what steps to take next.

A radon test is generally inexpensive and fairly easy to conduct.  You can purchase an in home testing kit from many retailers and also via mail order.  The test usually only takes a few minutes, and should not cost a whole lot.  It’s worth it for the peace of mind you’ll receive knowing that radon levels you have in your home.  If you feel a little weary of conducting your own radon test, you can always hire a trained professional to do the job for you.  The EPA has listings of qualified contractors, as well as your local state office.  A short term radon test should be able to tell you the general level of radon present.  If you feel uncomfortable with the results, then a long term test lasting over 90 days should be conducted, just so you can be absolutely certain what the radon levels are in your home. 

Radon gas can not only cause lethal lung cancer, but can also create headaches for homeowners when they attempt to sell a house. Or, if  you’re buying the home of your dreams, you might discover that everything’s perfect…except that the house comes laden with unsafe levels of radon gas.

However, when it comes to radon gas mitigation, knowledge is power. Once you know about the presence of radon gas (through a radon test kit, available at a discount from the National Safety Council) it’s possible to alleviate the problem without exorbitant expense or trouble.  Most radon gas mitigation for preexisting homes costs less than $3000 (sometimes much less, depending on the home).  This may seem like a lot of money, but it’s cheaper than getting lung cancer down the road, or losing a home sale because a buyer found out about the radon gas problem.   To find out more about radon gas mitigation, or to find a radon gas mitigation specialist in your area, you can talk to your state radon office. These offices will also provide maps of risk in your county or metro area, but these risk maps are just estimates; radon levels vary from home to home even on the same street.

Once you have the facts, you can decide what to do. Radon mitigation is a necessary step in any home  that has elevated radon levels; it usually involves a venting system with a fan that essentially sucks the radon-filled air out from your basement or from below your foundation and pushes it into the surrounding air.   A certain amount of radon occurs in air naturally, and the radon gas mitigation system dissipates the radon in your house into the outside world, where it escapes instead of building up.  Don’t let your home become a haven for radon; get  your home tested and engage a radon gas mitigation service if necessary.