Do your New Year’s Resolutions include getting your home tested for radon? January is National Radon Action Month. It’s time to take action to reduce the dangers of this invisible health danger. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that we all need to be more aware of radon and the value of testing for it. The EPA also seeks to promote radon-resistant construction practices.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless and odorless. As a result of uranium decay in rocks and soil, it exists in the earth’s atmosphere in tiny amounts. This gas is not usually a problem when you are outdoors, but it creates a significant health risk inside.
Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America after cigarette smoking. It can cause other respiratory diseases, too: pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and chronic pneumonia.
Why Is Radon Testing Important?
Environmental testing has revealed radon in all fifty states of America. Levels can vary from house to house, so a neighbor’s test won’t tell you much about your own home. This gas can enter your home through cracks and holes around a sump pump or in your foundation. It occasionally shows up in a home’s water supply.
Even if your home was tested when it was built, you should schedule an environmental test about every two years because radon levels can change over time.
How Can I Protect My Home Or Business From Radon Contamination?
- Schedule A Test
- Seal Up the Cracks
- Consider A Radon Reduction System
Schedule An Environmental Test
Testing is the only way to discover this invisible, odorless danger. Although it is most likely to occur near the foundation of your home, radon is a gas that can move freely throughout your home. A professional environmental test can discover if you are at risk and provide a plan for mitigating this risk.
Seal Up The Cracks
If a test reveals high levels of radon in your home, you will want to seal up all the gaps or cracks in your foundation. Look for cracks in concrete basement floors. Seal them up with a concrete repairing caulk.
Consider a Radon Reduction System
A qualified professional can install a reduction system. This consists of pipes and fans that vent and release radon into the outdoors, where it can dissipate quickly and harmlessly. The type and cost of the system will vary depending on the size of your home and the type of foundation.
Are You Ready To Take Action?
If you are concerned about the safety of your home, contact Benchmark Environmental Engineering in San Jose, California, today. Schedule radon testing with one of our qualified environmental consulting professionals