There are many different dangers lurking in our home, and unfortunately, as homeowners, it is hard to stay on top of everything. One of the most common dangers that is an example of this is radon in the home.
Radon is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that occurs naturally when the uranium in the rocks and soil around a home breaks down. It can infiltrate your home without you even knowing, and when ingested in large quantities, it can cause plenty of respiratory problems, and even cancer. Here are some facts about radon and why everyone should invest in residential radon testing services to stay protected.
- The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that nearly one-third of all homes checked in seven states have unregulated amounts of radon in them. Native American lands are also affected, with three Indian lands having screenings over the EPA’s recommended amount of healthy radon levels.
- The EPA’s standard for radon exposure in the home is 4 pCi/L. If a family of four had this amount in this home and it went untreated, it would be 35 times more damaging than if they stood directly at a nuclear reactor site without protective equipment.
- Radon can enter the home in a variety of different ways. For example, it can infiltrate the water supply and come through the tap, or it can come through simply through the dirt floors of a basement. The most common method, however, is just through the air surrounding the lower levels of your home via small cracks in the floor, windows, or gaps around the foundation or any pipes.
- Radon is linked to lung cancer. Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States behind smoking. With this simple statistic in mind, it is crucial any homeowner invests in radon testing in their home so they are protected at all times.
Radon testing is incredibly easy, and there are plenty of different ways a professional can come in and make sure your home is safe. If you are worried at all about the amount of radon in your home, don’t hesitate and call a professional radon abatement company right away.
