Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally. This hazardous gas is usually found in the basement or foundation of a building. Continuous exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) every one in fifteen homes in the United States have high levels of radon.
You have the right to know if your house has dangerous levels of radon that are putting you and your family at risk.
Read this blog to learn about how you can lower radon levels in your home.
How to Find High Levels of Radon?
The presence of radon itself is an alarming condition. However, the EPA suggests opting for a radon mitigation system if the level of radon is above 2.0 pCi/L. Radon level increases to more than 4 pCi/L indicates an alarming situation.
Can Exposure to Radon Cause Death?
Radon is a hazardous gas that can cause lung cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, each year, 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States are related to radon.
Signs Indicating the Presence of Radon
If radon is present in your home for a longer time period, its signs can be observed. It can’t be felt by smelling, but its effects can indicate its presence. You can’t even check for radon exposure with a medical test.
However, some signs of deteriorating health can indicate that you are having radon exposure:
- Shortness of breath frequently
- Hoarsness
- Persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Chest Pain while breathing heavily
- Having pulmonary issues like bronchitis
Above are the few medical conditions that can indicate radon exposure. If you are facing any of these contact your physician immediately and get your place tested for radon.
How to Check Radon Levels in Your Home?
Radon testing can be done with a radon test kit. There are two types: short-term test kits and long-term test kits. These kits can be used to detect the presence of radon in a place. However, a certified home inspector can detect the actual issue causing more radon to enter the home. So, the best way to check radon is to book a professional test.
How to Lower Radon Levels?
Radon mitigation is possible. Here are the different methods:
Sealing the Cracks
Cracks in the basement or foundation are likely to let more radon into a home. After a proper inspection, these cracks should be filled to halt the entry of this hazardous gas.
Soil Depressurization
In this system, vents and fans are used to pull the radon gas from the basement of a home. The air can suck the radon gas and move it out of the building with the help of vents.
Heat Recovery Ventilator
A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is an air exchanger installed for ventilation purposes and designed to ventilate all parts of a home. HRVS can work efficiently in the basement to lower radon levels. They can also be used to purify the air, but they can increase HVAC utility costs.
How to Lower Radon Level in the Basement?
Radon is usually found in the basements of homes. Here, its levels are higher than in other parts of the building. The most suitable way to keep the radon levels low in your basement is to ensure proper air flow.
Natural ventilation is a temporary solution for homes with higher radon levels. Expert help is recommended for mitigation. So, it is better to get a radon inspection and take the steps to mitigate it accordingly.
Which Way is the Best to Lower Radon Levels?
All the above-mentioned ways are suitable for reducing the radon levels in a building. However, the type of foundation, crawl spaces, and location are the major components, according to which a plan is suggested for a home. So, keeping all this in mind, a professional can suggest the best way to lower the radon levels in a home.
Final Thoughts
Radon, a dangerous radioactive gas that can enter a home from soil through basement or water channels, can cause lung cancer and other respiratory disorders.
Instead of putting yourself and your family in danger, take the necessary steps to lower radon levels in your home. How do you do it? It’s simple.
Get a radon inspection with RJ Home Inspection of your home to ensure that your family is living in a safe environment.