Radon is a radioactive gas that’s released naturally by rocks, soil, and water. Radon is everywhere and has been found in every state. Radon is colorless, odorless, and harmless in normal concentrations. However, if concentrations are allowed to accumulate, radon poses a serious health risk. The EPA estimates that over 20,000 cases of lung cancer each year in patients that don’t smoke are the result of radon exposure.
Radon issues in homes are more about the home’s construction and how the structure interacts with its environment than it is about location; two homes next to one another in the same neighborhood can have vastly different radon levels. The only way to know if radon levels in your home place you and your family at risk is to test for it.
Radon Test for Your Home
The good news is that residential radon inspections in Philadelphia, PA, are simple and relatively inexpensive. Inspectors will do two types of tests—a short-term and a long-term test—because radon levels will fluctuate based on external conditions. The U.S. surgeon general recommends that all homes in the United States be tested for accumulations of radon.
Tests measure radon in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The average indoor radon level is roughly 1.3 pCi/L; the average outdoor level is 0.4 pCi/L. Indoor levels of 2 pCi/L or above require attention; levels above 4 pCi/L must be mitigated. Your inspector will help you understand the results and determine what, if anything, needs to be done.
Radon Mitigation
Not only is testing simple, but mitigation is also generally straightforward. Contact a local radon mitigation expert for assistance. These professionals take two basic approaches to mitigation: prevention and/or removal. The options or options that are right for you will depend on your home and how it’s constructed. Monitors will be installed to detect a return of unsafe levels. Still, following radon mitigation installation, it’s also advised that you have your home retested every two years.
Don’t Risk It
The silent threat of radon is very real. Don’t risk your family’s health; schedule a radon test today. The methods for detecting and mitigating unsafe, unhealthy radon levels are reliable and effective. Contact your local radon testing professional today to get more information and answers to your questions. You can also contact your state radon office to learn more about federal and state radon protection programs available in your area.
Help is available. You can find and fix a radon problem. Call to schedule your radon inspection.