Top Questions About Radon, Answered
If you’ve ever heard of radon testing but are not quite sure what it is or why you should test for it, there is no need to worry. Many of us have questions regarding the danger of radon gas, so you are not alone. The good news is that there is a plethora of information online that can help you understand what the dangers are, how to keep your home safe, and why you should get your home tested for radon. Radon testing companies can help you ensure your home is safe.
To start, just what is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs when uranium breaks down. Uranium can be found in rock, soil, and water. It is important to get your home tested for radon because this radioactive gas is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer and can have very detrimental effects on your body. In fact, as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Am I really at risk?
You might be thinking that yes, while this radioactive gas is quite dangerous, what are the odds that it would actually affect myself or my family? The EPA has reported that nearly 1 in 3 homes checked in seven states and on three Indian lands had screening levels over 4 pCi/L. To put it into perspective, a family whose home has 4 pCi/l of radon is exposed to approximately 35 times as much radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would allow if that family was standing next to the fence of a radioactive waste site. While you might not initially consider radon testing, this is one major reason why you should. Not only is it very dangerous, but it can also be a pretty common problem in certain areas. Radon testing companies can come into residential homes and test for radon levels to ensure safety.
How do I test for radon?
If you are trying to keep your family safe and want to know how to test your home for radon, it’s actually quite easy. You can call a local radon testing company or you can purchase a kit yourself. There are short-term and long-term tests. Short-term tests take 2 to 90 days to complete, while long-term tests take 90 or more days. The best advice is to test your home with a short-term test first, and if your home test results show radon levels of 4 or more, then continue onto a long-term test.
Radon testing companies make it easy to know if your home is safe and to ensure that your loved ones are not facing possible radon exposure.
