Take Action Against Radon This January
Radon is one of the main causes of lung cancer deaths amongst nonsmokers in America today. Radon gas exposure claims the lives of almost 20,000 Americans every year. If you live in an area with radon or already have high radon levels that have detected in your home, there are ways to fix the problem and protect you and your loved ones. The month of January is Radon Action Month and by following the three steps below, you can decrease the exposure of radon and the risk of lung cancer.
Radon is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that seeps up from the ground and disperses into the air. Lower levels of radon aren’t a cause for too much concern as everyone breathes in small amounts of radon every day. The serious health risks arise when areas with radon have inadequate ventilation thus increasing the levels and the risk of developing lung cancer.
Testing is the key!
Contact a certified radon inspection specialistto set up the Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM). A radon gasmeasurement specialist will install the CRM. This visit will usually take about five minutes, during which time the specialist makes sure that the CRM is placed in the best location in your home. The specialist will also make sure you're informed of the required house living conditions for accurate testing. The specialist should return after a minimum of 48 hours have passed.During this second meeting, the specialist will connect a thermal printer to the CRM and use it to print your radon testing results right there on the spot. This process generally takes between 10 and 15 minutes.
If radon is detected in your home, you can reduce the radon levels with a radon mitigation system. Radon mitigation systems are usually highly effective in reducing radon levels by as much as 99 percent. Even homeowners who discovered their homes had extraordinarily high levels of radon found that they could actually reduce those levels rather easily. All radon mitigation systems should be installed by a certified technician.
If you already have a radon mitigation system installed and it’s over 5 years old, it is recommended that your system be inspected to ensure you are protected from radon exposure. The EPA actually recommends that all homes with a radon mitigation system be tested every 2 years.
Spend time during National Radon Action Month encouraging others to learn about radon and test their own homes. Tell your friends and loved ones about the health risks of radon and encourage them to test their homes. Get a group of friends and family together and plan an event in your community to help raise radon awareness. Use the EPA’s National Radon Action Month Event Planning Kit as a guide.
Radon exposure over a period of time has been proven to cause cancer, so it’s best for all homeowners to have their homes tested if you suspect that you live in an area where radon could be present. Radon mitigation isn’t as scary or as difficult to deal with as you may think. The certified radon mitigation specialists at Twin Cities Radon Services will come out and perform a free radon test. If high levels of radon are found, the specialists will work with you to design a radon mitigation system for your home. Give them a call today!
