Is radon gas testing in your house something you should be concerned about? YES! In the United States, radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It’s such a serious deal because so few people understand what it is and how it affects their health. Radata can connect you with a radon testing or treatment specialist who can explain what radon is, assess your risk level, and prepare a treatment plan for your house.
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So, what exactly is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is extracted from the earth. Radon is volatile in the air and splits down into various substances. Radon gas is inhaled and exhaled, but radon decaying particles remain in the lungs. These fragments can result in cell death over time, causing them to evolve and increase the risk of cancer. Because it has no flavour or colour, we are unable to notice it. Any home in the US has the potential to have a radon problem. The only way to find out if you have radon gas in your house is to have it tested.
Why should you test?
Many building inspectors conduct a radon test that involves reviewing samples collected over the course of a week, while others do not conduct a radon test at all. Even if your home inspector does a radon test, getting a second opinion is critical. Whether your home test results are over or under 4 picoCuries per litre, a second test can help confirm or disprove the information from the first. Analyzing numerous test results might help you get a better understanding of your home’s radon levels.
It’s simple to check your home’s radon levels. All you’ll need is a radon test kit for your home. Place the kit in a frequently used room on the ground floor of your home and leave it there for the specified amount of time. Except for when you need to enter or leave your home, keep all doors and windows closed. You should also switch off any fans that bring a lot of air into your home as well as any vents that push a lot of air out. Simply mail the radon test kit to a certified test lab once enough time has passed. However, a word of caution: not all kits are created equal. Because the lab processing charge is not included in many of the less expensive kits, they are less expensive.