You cannot see or smell radon. But, it may be in your home, putting you and your family at risk of developing serious respiratory problems, including lung cancer. Aerolite Consulting cannot stress enough the importance of radon testing.
What Exactly is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas released by the natural breakdown of uranium or radium in soil and rocks. Because it is a gas, radon can enter buildings and homes by seeping through foundation cracks and other openings. Basements and first floors typically have the highest radon levels in a home because of their closeness to the ground. But when your home doesn’t have proper ventilation, radon concentrations in the air in your entire home can rise to dangerous levels.
Is Getting Exposed to Radon Dangerous?
Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the US is reported to have an elevated radon level. Radon decays quickly, emitting tiny radioactive particles that when inhaled can damage cells in a lung. Long-term exposure to radon is, in fact, the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country. Scientists even estimate that over 20,000 cancer deaths in the US are related to radon. But, the good thing now is that this risk is completely preventable through quality radon testing.
Why Should You Test Your Home for Radon?
Any home in the US can have a radon issue. Even if your home is new, well-sealed, or without a basement, it is at risk of having radon gas indoors. Testing is the only surefire way to find out if you and your family are, indeed, at risk from the dangerous radon exposure.
Testing your own home for radon is a must. After all, you cannot predict your home’s radon levels based on average radon measurements in your neighborhood alone. Many homes which are next to each other have, in fact, different indoor radon levels.
If you want to know more about radon testing services or schedule testing from the professional Aerolite Consulting inspectors, don’t hesitate to give us a call.