Important Facts About Radon Gas
Important Facts About Radon Gas
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that comes from radioactive decay of uranium and radium deposits in soil, rocks, and well water. You cannot see it, taste it, or smell it. Radon gas atoms decay into solid radioactive atoms called “Radon daughters” (sometimes referred to as “Radon progeny”). It is the Radon daughters in inhaled air that can deposit in our lungs and cause health problems.
Can Radon really affect my health?
There are differing opinions on that. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that the leading causes of lung cancer are smoking, radon and secondhand smoke – in that order. However,some scientists do not believe that Radon causes that much lung cancer. Smoking definitely causes a lot more lung cancers than Radon does. Smokers exposed to high levels of Radon are at a much greater risk of lung cancer than nonsmokers since their lung function is already damaged by the cigarette smoke exposure.
Where can I be exposed to Radon?
Essentially everywhere but Radon tends to accumulate in tightly-sealed homes and other buildings. The main source of high-level Radon pollution in buildings is surrounding uranium or radium-containing granite, shale, phosphate, and pitchblende. Radon enters a home through cracks in walls and foundations, basement floors, and other openings. It may also contaminate the water supply especially in private wells.
What can I do if the Radon level in my house is high?
The U.S. EPA established an action level of 4 pico of Radon per liter of air. By action level, they simply mean that is the level at which the EPA recommends that action be taken to reduce the Radon concentration. If necessary, the level of Radon in a home can be reduced using several methods, but just ventilating a house more or using an air cleaner will greatly improve the situation.
What is normally done to seal homes better against Radon?
Radon levels can be lowered through a variety of repairs from sealing cracks in foundations, floors, and walls to changing the flow of air into the building. Sub-slab depressurization uses pipes and fans to remove Radon gas from beneath the concrete floor and foundation before it can enter the building. Radon is then vented above the roof where it safely disperses. Repairs to decrease Radon levels should be made by an EPA or state-certified contractor. Micigan has a few certified Radon Inspectors and National Building Inspections has one of those certified inspectors. Make sure for any inspection, you have a fully trained and certified inspector. NBI Certification # 103151RT. Radon Testing-Michigan.
Here at NBI our philosophy is “Protecting what Matters”, we know that a home is an investment and you want to make sure that your family will be healthy, you can do so by using National Building Inspections a trusted inspection company for over 15 years. Call us at 866-665-6022 or email us at nbimichigan@aol.com.
