Radon is a lung cancer causing gas formed by the decay of uranium in the soil. Radon gets into houses through cracks or holes on the floor. When proper ventilation is lacking, high concentrations of the gas can reach critical levels.
Radon is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. Unlike some of the other gasses, it does not have a smell and so can go undetected for a period. Whether moving to a new house or staying in your old one, it is important to have it tested for Radon.
Benefits of making your home radon free
One of the principal reasons to keep your house radon free is because it is a leading cause of cancer in the United States. According to National Environmental Health Association, radon is second in a list of substances that cause lung cancer. The risk is even higher for smokers.
1. Ensure the safety of your children
Studies have shown that children are more sensitive to this radioactive gas than adults. They have a higher rate of respiration, and their cell division is rapid and is thus very vulnerable to this gas.
Any house, whether new or old can have a radon challenge. It does not matter whether a home is well-sealed or not. Whether it has a basement or not. In fact, most radon exposures occur inside your homes when you and your family is resting and it is hard to identify radon symptoms as they resemble those of lung cancer. Therefore, you should not assume your home is safe. Get it tested for radon and keep your family safe.
How to estimate radon levels at home
It is also not possible to estimate radon levels in one house by using local or neighborhood radon measurements from other homes. Houses can be next to each other and have very different radon measurements. Therefore, it is not appropriate to use other radon readings to estimate concentration levels in your home.
Indoor radon levels vary depending on the day, temperature and season. Radon levels go up significantly especially in winter and during the night. Additionally, It is common for people to close their windows during this time and so are at an increased risk of exposure. It is usually recommended that a radon test is done at intervals of at least three months to ensure your family is safe.
The only way to determine radon levels is by testing. Essentially, there are no immediate signs that can warn you of the presence of radon. It can take years before any radon-linked problems are detected. Therefore, test your home and ensure it is radon free.