Home Radon Levels in Your Home

An estimate reveals that more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths are due to exposure to radon. Radon is a cancer-causing gas you cannot smell, taste or see but could be a problem around your home. Furthermore, it is the leading cause of lung cancer that has cost the US more than $2 billion every year in health care costs. Radon is a colorless chemically unreactive inert gas and nine times denser than air and could easily penetrate to most common materials like leather, paper, low-density plastic, mortar, building materials, paints, wood panelling, paper sheating and most insulations.
A home with a 4 pCi/l radon levels is exposed to around 35 times as much radiation allowed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. For example, an elementary student who spends eight hours a day and 180 days each year in a classroom with a 4 pCi/l level of radon gets almost ten times radiation than allowed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The main exposure to radon is by ingestion and inhalation. Radon in groundwater, ground and building materials enters a living space and dissolves into decay products. While high radon could contribute to exposure by ingestion, inhalation by water is more dangerous.
The only way to determine the levels of radon in your home is by testing since there are no certain symptoms that could alert you of its presence. Normally, it will take several years before problems could occur. High radon levels have been discovered in each state in America. If you discover that your home has high radon concentrations, there are ways of reducing it to acceptable levels. Many radon problems can be fixed for not more than $500 if you do it yourself. However, if you need the help of a professional, check out certified radon mitigators in your area.
Millions of homeowners in the US have had their homes tested of radon levels. One out of fifteen homes has elevated levels of radon. It is very important to contact the radon office of your state for more details. Although radon problems are more common in some areas, any home could have potential problems. Your home is always at risk of radon since there is no established safe level of radon. However, you can lower the risks by reducing the radon level in your home.
One of the methods of minimizing the levels of radon in your home is by sealing cracks on walls and floors. You could also use simple systems such as pipes and fans. Keep in mind that performing major home renovations could change the radon level in your home, thus you should make sure to perform a test again after renovating your home. There are home radon kits you can purchase from hardwares and other retail outlets. In the event that you do the testing on your own and discover high levels of radon in your home, avoid installing exhaust fans in the basement and think that the problem is solved. Keep in mind that radon remediation has to meet certain standards of construction and design. A lot of municipalities require a licensed professional or contractor to apply for a remediation permit and installs the system.

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