Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Despite this startling fact, many Americans are unaware of radon gas and the effect it has on their homes. Odorless, colorless and tasteless, this naturally occurring chemical is both hard to detect and incredibly dangerous when left unchecked. If you have at-risk populations in your home, such as children or the elderly, it’s imperative you take a proactive attitude and contact your local radon mitigation company as soon as possible. Radon gas is no joke and can increase the likelihood of lung cancer in a matter of months or years, that of which has deadly consequences for many in the country. Let’s talk radon mitigation and how a simple test could be all you need to feel more secure.
The Prevalence Of Radon Gas In America
Did you know an estimated one in 15 homes in the United States have radon levels that are either at or above the EPA action level? This means yours could very likely be one on that list. The U.S. EPA has conducted numerous ongoing studies to better determine the prevalence of radon gas, with staggering results — nearly one in three homes in seven states as well as on three Indian lands had screening levels far beyond the recommended action level.
The Severity Of Radon Gas Exposure
Radon gas is an unseen terror. A family whose home possesses radon levels of around 4 pCi/l is exposed to nearly 35 times as much radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would allow if said family were standing next to the fence of a radioactive waste site. While it can seem staggering being presented with these figures, the aid of a sump pump excavation through a radon mitigation and abatement service has been proven to put a dent in this exposure.
The Importance Of A Simple Test
Does your home need a sump pump excavation? All you need to do is call your local radon testing companies and take a simple test. Short-term detectors are able to measure radon levels with pinpoint accuracy between two and 90 days, while long-term tests can create an average concentration figure over the course of a few months. A very low amount of radon gas is considered habitable, but anything at or beyond the EPA action level needs to be handled immediately.
The Contribution To Lung Cancer
Lung cancer kills. The Surgeon General only continues to warn about the dangerous side-effects of constant radon gas exposure in an attempt to keep all populations safe from harm. The risk of lung cancer has been found to increase 16% per 100 Bq/m increase in average radon concentration, with the longer the exposure the higher the percentage. The contribution of radon testing companies, however, can see lung cancer deaths reduced by at least 4% per year.
How To Test Your Home For Radon Gas Exposure
Whether or not your home requires the aid of a sump pump excavation or simple radon test can be determined through the aid of local radon testing services. Should your home be below the EPA recommended action level you have little to worry about, though anything at or above this level will be immediately put on the abatement list. Passive systems of mitigation, such as using radon ventilation fans or a sump pump excavation, can reduce radon gas levels by as much as 50%. To reduce lung cancer we need to increase our awareness. Will you check your home for radon gas exposure this year?