Radon mitigation and abatement services are processes that the majority of people know very little about. If, however, you have ever tried to sell a property that has been cited for radon levels that are too high you learn very quickly about the radon testing and inspection processes.
Radon is an element known as number 86 on the periodic table. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless noble gas that is radioactive. Trapped in a basement, radon levels can reach dangerous levels. Although these levels are not often checked until a property is bought or sold, diligent owners and buyers are even more careful. Did you know, for instance, that the U.S. Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America today? Without radon testing and inspection services your home or place of business could be a setting with dangerous radon levels.
Consider some of these facts and figures, as well as the need for, the radon mitigation and sump pump installation processes:
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General’s Office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused every year by radon.
- 6% of U.S. homes are estimated to have radon levels at or above the EPA action level.
- The risk of lung cancer increases by as much as 16% for every 100 Bq/m increase in long time average radon concentration.
- Passive systems of mitigation have been shown to be capable of reducing indoor radon levels by more than 50%. The addition of radon ventilation fans can help reduce these dangerous levels even more.
- Scientists estimate that lung cancer deaths could be reduced by 2% to 4%, by lowering radon levels in homes that exceed the EPA?s action level. This could mean the reduction of nearly 5,000 deaths,
- Short term detectors measure radon levels for two days to 90 days, depending on the type of device being used. The long term detectors, on the other hand, determine the average concentration of radon for more than 90 days.
Many home loans require radon testing results. Even if you are not thinking about buying or selling a home, however, knowing that your home or business is in the acceptable level can help you rest easy knowing that your family and workers are safe.