Concerns About Radon in the Home
To protect yourself and your family, you should be aware of the risk of radon in the home. Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that is undetectable without specialized equipment. It’s the natural product of uranium and thorium, both radioactive substances that reside deep in the earth, as they break down over time.
Radon can be found in dangerous levels in enclosed buildings such as homes, and due to having no short-term side effects or symptoms, most people are unaware that they’re living with elevated radon levels.
1. Radon is a Carcinogen
After cigarette smoking, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General report that radon accounts for 20,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Airborne radon inhalation is the most common danger, although radon can be found in groundwater or well water.
Radioactive particles from the radon gas can get trapped in your lungs when you inhale it, and prolonged exposure over many years can exponentially increase your risk of lung cancer, so it’s never too early to get your home tested.
2. Radon Levels Can Be Lowered
If you have your house tested and find potentially dangerous levels of radon in the home, it is possible to fix the problem so your home is safe for your family. Radon enters buildings through cracks or faults in foundations and other openings, and once trapped, can rise to dangerous levels in an enclosed space.
Full radon mitigation systems can range anywhere from $800 and up and depend on several factors including the size and layout of the house, how high the level of radon is, and the location of the home. It’s best to have a home tested for radon as soon as possible so mitigation can begin and lessen the risk of future health problems.
3. Cheap DIY Radon Tests Can Be Inaccurate
While it’s economical to buy a cheap test for less than $50 and rely on that to decide whether or not to take action to reduce radon levels in your home, these tests vary in accuracy. A false positive, for example, can lead to wasting thousands on radon mitigation treatments. Even worse, a false negative can put you and anyone you live with the danger of prolonged exposure to a known carcinogen.
It’s always best to hire a professional to test for radon in the home. The cost may be higher, but you’re paying for quality, accuracy, and the confidence you’ll gain from receiving an accurate test so you can protect yourself and your family.
If you live in the Greater Richmond, VA area and need your home tested for radon, contact HomePro Inspections. We provide radon testing along with residential home inspections and commercial property inspections.