The Dangers Of Radon
You might have heard a few stories on the news or possibly have known someone who found Radon gas in their home. Most people are unclear as to exactly what Radon is and unfortunately are unaware of just how dangerous it is. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that can pose a serious health risk if it becomes trapped under your house. Radon typically enters the home via underground crawl spaces, sump pumps, gaps in the basement and even the water supply. It can pollute your indoor air with its toxic vapors, and is held responsible for more than 20,000 lung-disease-related deaths every year. Radon is assumed to be present in millions of American homes and most homeowners have no idea.
In order to know if you have this dangerous gas in your home you will need to have your property tested by a professional. Many contractors are licensed or certified by state and/or local agencies. They will conduct diagnostic testing to determine if radon gas is at acceptable levels. If levels are dangerous, the contractor can install a radon reduction system. Ask the contractor for references documenting the results of past work in other homes. Make sure the company checks the house after the system is installed, to verify that it is reducing the radon levels.
Radon is a very serious and deadly gas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Surgeon General’s Office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon-induced lung cancer costs the United States over $2 billion dollars per year in both direct and indirect health care costs.
If your home has high concentrations of radon there are ways to reduce it to acceptable levels. Most radon problems can be fixed by a do-it-yourselfer for less than $500. If you want or require the assistance of a professional you may wish to look at the list of certified radon mitigators for your state.
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