Did you know that January is National Radon Action Month? Radon is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Those facts right there highlight why it’s so important to get regular radon tests in your home. You can purchase home test kits to do on your own, but if you are buying or selling a home, you should consider having a professional come and take care of the radon test for you. That way, you know that the results are unbiased and unbiased, and you don’t have to worry that the results have been skewed. If you are testing on your own, there are two types to choose from: short-term and long-term. You can find a radon test kit at home improvement stores, online, or through your state government. Depending on the state you live in, some government agencies will have free or discounted radon test kits available, and some states will even have a list of contractors you can contact for professional radon testing.
Radon is caused by a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released into water, rocks, and soil through the natural breakdown of uranium. It moves through the ground and enters your home through cracks and fissures in the foundation of your home. It can also be found in well water, which releases radon through the water when you shower or use the water for other purposes.
If your neighbor’s house was tested for radon and it came back with low levels of gas, this does not mean that you can assume that your home will also have low levels. Radon levels vary from home to home, and there are several factors that influence the amount of radon in your home. Radon is found everywhere, so the United States Environmental Protection Agency has an action point of 4 pCi / L. If you find that your home has a radon level at that point or higher, you should consider the installation of a radon mitigation system.
Radon is found throughout the country in all 50 states. There is no particular type of home that is more or less likely to have high radon levels. Again, this illustrates why it is so important to regularly test your home for radon and make sure the home you are considering buying is tested for radon as part of the home inspection process.