What is Radon? Testing, Acceptance Levels and Mitigation

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What is Radon? Testing, Acceptance Levels, and Mitigation

Radon is a type of radioactive gas that can cause cancer. Radon has no smell or taste and is not visible, which may be a problem in your home. According to the Surgeon, General radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Inhalation and ingestion are the primary routes of human exposure to radon. It typically takes years of radon exposure before health problems start to surface. It has been estimated to have caused over 21,000 lung cancer deaths yearly.

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas similar to carbon monoxide, scentless and invisible. Testing is the only way to determine if there is radon inside a building, and prolonged exposure to radon gas can cause health problems down the road, including lung cancer. According to the EPA, radon causes about 21,000 cases of lung cancer every year, making it the second leading cause of that type of cancer, second only to smoking.

Why You Need to Test for Radon?

Because of radon’s nature, the only way to know your home’s radon levels is to have your home tested for radon levels by a professional. Radon is a naturally occurring gas, but when it invades your home, it can have serious consequences on your health and the health of your family. If you are concerned that you may have elevated radon levels in your home, contact Lamunyon to explore your testing and mitigation options. Lamunyon serves North Central Kansas, including Clay Center, Manhattan, Junction City, and nearby communities.

The Importance of Radon Testing in Homes

No matter how lavish or run down, there is always a risk of elevated levels of radon. In many states, a radon test is done in homes before they are sold. It is a good idea to do this in rental spaces as well. While you can pick up a radon test kit at a local hardware store, there is a much greater chance of error in the results going that route. Hiring a professional company, like Lamunyon to do the test for you guarantees the results will be accurate, and you can literally breathe easy in your home.

When and Why to Retest for Radon

The EPA says homes with very high levels of radon have been found in every state. They can even vary greatly from home to home on the same city block in Manhattan. Just because your radon test comes back negative or within safe limits does not mean your next-door neighbor is in the clear, too. It is a good idea to have radon testing done every time you buy a home or move into a new space. It is also good to run another test any time you do any major renovations or make any changes to the foundation of your home.

Acceptable Radon Levels

So, what are acceptable levels? Well, the EPA says the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L (that stands for picocuries per liter of air). The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA suggest every home be below the 4 pCi/L level and even recommend that people with a test coming back in the 2-4 pCi/L range also consider remediation.

Remediation for Elevated Radon Levels

If a test comes back with elevated levels of radon, it can be fixed. This is not a do-it-yourself project, and should be done by a company well experienced and trained in this kind of job. The best route to fix the problem depends on the construction of your home, but you can rest assured getting rid of the radon gas will not require any major renovations or major projects. Radon gets into a home with air from under your foundation. So, during the mitigation process, it is important to force that air to go in another direction – not into your home. If you have not ever done a radon test in your existing home, it is a good idea to have one done. Lamunyon is part of the National Radon Defense Network and well equipped to do the test, and if the results are less than favorable, a few adjustments in your home will have you breathing easy again.

Radon Level in Your Home: Is It Dangerous, Even Fatal, Amounts?

These are two questions that most people have never even considered. However, it is something every person needs to be aware of. Radon is a radioactive gas. It is labeled as “RN” on the periodic table of elements. Radon is colorless and odorless, making it very difficult to detect. Radon is the heaviest gas. It is nine times denser than air. It is also just a single atom opposed to oxygen or water, which are composed of multiple elements. This means radon is far more likely to penetrate common materials like paper, plastic, sheetrock, concrete, and so forth.

So What Does This All Mean?

Because of its unique properties, radon is highly dangerous. In fact, radon poisoning is the second highest cause of lung cancer in the United States at 21,000 deaths per year, second only to cigarette smoking. Over time, radioactive particles from the radon gas become trapped in your lungs. It often takes some time for this to happen, but as the radon particles accumulate more and more, they give off radiation, and your chances of getting lung cancer increase dramatically.

How Do I Know If I Have a Radon Problem?

The likelihood that there is an excessive amount of radon in your home may be higher than you think. Approximately one in fifteen homes in America have radon levels that need to be reduced. This is an even greater problem for some areas of the country. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has found that one in three of all homes inspected for radon have been over the normal level. The main reason so many homes have this problem is because of radon’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless properties. It can’t simply be detected by your senses. There are a couple of ways to check your radon levels, but it requires the right equipment.

First and foremost, a business that specializes in radon testing and removal is your best and easiest solution. However, most home repair and hardware stores have radon tests that you can buy. If you check your home using one of these tests and the radon level is four or higher, it is at dangerous levels. At that point, you’ll want to do another test just to be sure, and if the second test still shows high radon levels, then action needs to be taken.

What Should I Do If There Is Radon in My Home?

If you find excessive radon amounts in your home, something needs to be done about it. Immediately look to professionals to handle the problem. They have the right equipment, training, and experience in dealing with these problems. We at Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair, located in the North Central Kansas area, are well-equipped to help you make sure your home is radon-free. Don’t waste any time and call right away to get this toxic poison out of your home for good before it causes any lasting damage to you or those you love.

Governor Proclaims January as Kansas Radon Action Month

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) have proclaimed January “Kansas Radon Action Month” to help educate Kansans about the dangers of radon exposure and encourage actions to identify and address radon problems in the home. Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas found in nearly all soils which comes from the breakdown of uranium. Outdoors, radon is diluted to low concentrations, but once inside an enclosed space, radon can accumulate to significant levels. Radon is the first leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause in smokers.

Nationally, radon causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. About one out of every three radon measurements performed in Kansas are elevated, being above four pCi/l (picoCuries per liter). Some areas have higher levels than others, though elevated levels of radon have been detected in every county in the state. As many as one in 15 homes across the U.S. has elevated radon levels that often go undetected because of a lack of testing. Inexpensive radon test kits are available year-round at local hardware and builder’s supply stores and at your Kansas County extension office.

Get your Digital Radon Tests

Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair also offers digital radon tests, which are far more accurate and give a better picture of exposure. Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair is a certified radon contractor. If tests reveal high levels of radon, we can provide reliable and effective radon reduction techniques to reduce radon levels in your property. Homeowners should talk with a certified radon contractor if levels of 4 pCi/l or above are detected. The cities of Topeka, Manhattan, Lawrence, Salina, and Junction City have building codes that require new homes to be built using radon-resistant techniques. If you are concerned about radon levels in your home, contact Lamunyon Dry Out & Foundation Repair today to discuss testing or radon reduction solutions.

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