The air inside of your home can be majorly affected by the presence of a radioactive gas called radon.
According to the American Lung Association, this gas can build up to dangerous levels, increasing your risk of developing lung cancer, even in nonsmokers.
That’s why every home should take advantage of radon testing, which is easy, inexpensive, and lifesaving, the organization says.
In the article below, we will look at what radon is and if you are at risk.
What Is Radon? Am I At Risk For Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is odorless, colorless, and naturally occurring.
When radon is inhaled into the lungs, it can damage your lungs’ lining, increasing your risk for cancer.
Radon is formed when uranium, thorium, or radium breaks down in the water, rocks, and soil.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Radon gas is then released into the dirt beneath your home.
Once in the dirt, the radon gas will enter your home through cracks and holes in its foundation, or less commonly, through well water and building materials.
And just because you’ve never heard of it doesn’t mean it’s rare.
In fact, about 1 in every 15 homes has what’s considered an elevated radon level.
And since the gas is odorless and invisible and causes no immediate symptoms, the only way to know if your home is affected is by having it tested for radon.
How Does Radon Cause Lung Cancer?
If you’re exposed to elevated radon levels over a long period of time, it increases your risk of developing lung cancer.
In the United States, an estimated 21,000 people die from radon-related lung cancer every year.
That’s second only to cigarette smoking which kills 160,000 people every year.
According to the agency, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It’s the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.
And if you smoke or you used to smoke, you have an even greater chance of developing lung cancer if you are exposed to radon.
Lung cancer from radon exposure occurs over many years of high-level exposure, so testing is so important.
The CDC explains that breathing in radon traps radioactive particles in your lungs, eventually leading to lung cancer.
Your risk increases depending on your exposure level, status as a smoker, and exposure to other in-house pollutants, like a wood-burning stove, fireplace, or second-hand smoke.
How To Reduce Radon Levels In Your Home
You should reduce radon in your home if they exceed 4 picocuries per liter. And you should do it as soon as possible.
Over time, radon will disappear due to radioactive decay.
However, anyone with elevated radon should take the time and spend the money to get the problem fixed to avoid potentially catastrophic health issues in the future.
Don’t panic if you have high radon levels in your basement because t’s very easy to remedy.
You can install a mitigation system that will allow radon gas from beneath the home to be immediately vented outside into the air above your house.
According to the EPA, a radon mitigation system can eliminate up to 99 percent of radon from your home.
These devices should always be installed and supervised by a certified radon mitigation specialist or radon remediation service.
Retesting should be done at regular intervals to ensure that the radon mitigation has been successful.
Contact Pine Breeze Mitigation
Knowing your home’s air quality can give you peace of mind and leave you breathing a little easier.
For added peace of mind, contact Pine Breeze Mitigation to have your home tested for radon.
Pine Breeze Mitigation will test your home for radon. If your results come back high, they can install a radon mitigation system to return your home to normal.
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