It’s important to know what you’re exposed to, particularly when it’s in the place you feel safest – your home. Even though you might be safe from outside threats, there are still things that pose a danger even behind closed doors. When it comes to radon in your home, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Radon is a radioactive chemical element that is so dangerous in part because it has no odor, color, or taste. You might have radon in your home without even knowing it (this is why regular radon gas testing is so important). And it’s not an uncommon problem – 1 in 15 homes in the United States alone have radon levels above what is considered safe. And radon is nothing to take lightly. Having radon in your home can increase your risk of lung cancer significantly. In fact, over 20,000 deaths from lung cancer occur because of it. The U.S. Surgeon General has declared radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer.
A local radon mitigation company can help you decide the next steps that make the most sense to get rid of the radon in your home. Radon testing companies can both inspect for existing radon and install alarms to alert you to the future presence of it in your home. Short term detectors are a good option to begin with. They last for about 90 days, depending on the specific device. There are also long terms tests available that can help to determine the radon level after a span of 90 days. Radon ventilation fans can also help to decrease the concentration of radon in your home. This method of radon control is what’s referred to as a passive method of mitigation and can reduce indoor radon levels by half.
Taking steps to reduce or eliminate radon in your home can have an immense positive impact on your health. Up to 5,000 lives could be saved just by lowering radon to the standards set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). That’s a 2-4% reduction in deaths related to radon.