Tag: testing radon

Are you concerned about radon levels on your property? You are right to be on high alert because high levels of radon can potentially harm your health or delay a property sale. The only way to find out if you have a radon problem on your hands is through proper testing. 

Why is Radon Gas Dangerous?

Radon is all around us. But it’s colorless, odorless, and invisible which means it’s undetectable to the naked eye. Radon comes naturally from the breakdown of rocks and soil. In the outdoors, it is generally not a problem as it quickly dilutes to low concentrations. 

However, when the radon gas escapes from the soil and enters your home through the cracks in the foundation or electrical and plumbing lines, and accumulates in your indoor air, it poses a high risk to your health.

Prolonged exposure to high radon levels increases your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke and it’s estimated to be responsible for over 21,000 lung cancer deaths in America every year.

Every home is prone to radon. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in every 15 homes has high radon levels. It can accumulate in any type of home whether old or new, and with or without a basement. Since the levels vary from location to location two neighboring homes can have different radon levels. 

That’s why it’s critical to test for radon.  

There are two ways you can test for radon. You can do it yourself or hire a professional but the degree of safety varies widely.

DIY Radon Testing

You can purchase a test kit from your local hardware store and use it to determine if there is a radon problem in your property. Placing the test kit on the lowest floor of your home such as the basement or the ground floor for the specified time is the best way to get an accurate reading. Remember to keep the doors and windows closed and off the fans and air conditioners for 12 hours before testing. 

However, closing the door and windows as you place the test exposes you to even higher levels of radon making it less than ideal for your long-term health. And with so many steps to follow, it’s easy to skew the test and prolong the mitigation process (where necessary) further exposing you and your loved ones to the harmful gas.

That’s why we highly recommend professional radon testing.

Professional Radon Testing

Engaging a professional is the safest way to test for radon on your property. Radon experts have the training and cutting-edge equipment to conduct the test without compromising your health and safety. Certified professionals use reliable testing instruments like the EPA-calibrated Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) devices to give you prompt and accurate results. A radon expert not only takes the hassle away but also prioritizes your safety at all times.

Contact TRS for Quality Radon Testing Services

For radon testing services you can trust, call Teton Radon Services. We have over 20 years of experience in providing timely and accurate radon testing services for homes, rentals, and commercial properties. Contact us for a free consultation.

Radon is all around us. We breathe it every day. However, since it is colorless, tasteless, and odorless, you cannot tell when you are breathing it at high levels. While it hardly poses any danger outdoors, exposure to high indoor radon levels can cause serious health problems. 

How Do You Get Exposed to Radon?

The primary source of radon exposure is inhalation. Once formed from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil and rocks, the gas comes up through the ground and penetrates indoor spaces through cracks in walls and floors and gaps around service pipes and electrical wires. Over time, radon is trapped in the indoor air and it becomes part of the air you breathe in.

Radon can be present in homes, schools, and workplaces. That said, the rooms closest to the ground including basements, crawl spaces, and ground floor spaces have the highest radon levels.

Symptoms of Radon Exposure 

Recent research has shown that the majority of us spend about 90% of our lives indoors which makes radon a serious threat to human health. 

When a person is exposed to elevated levels of radon, the radioactive physical particles that result from the decay of radon gas can cause damage to the DNA in the lining of the lungs, which could lead to lung cancer.  Lung cancer has a very high mortality rate (75%) so it is important to test your home and reduce the exposure you or family members may have to radon gas.

The primary adverse effect of exposure to high levels of radon is lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and it’s only second to smoking. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States are traced back to radon exposure. Research has shown that smokers have a 25 times greater risk of lung cancer when exposed to prolonged and elevated radon levels.

The lung cancer symptoms are subtle and may only appear when you are close to or already have cancer.

Here are some of the early lung cancer symptoms to look out for:

• Persistent cough
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up blood
• Hoarseness
• Chest pain
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Frequent infectious like bronchitis and pneumonia

What To Do if You Notice Radon Poisoning Symptoms

If you notice any potential symptoms of radon exposure, immediately do the following:

1. Visit a Doctor

There are no medical tests to check how much radon you’ve been exposed to, but your healthcare provider can conduct tests and put you on the right treatment. 

2. Test Your Home 

Testing is the only way to determine how much radon is in your home. Schedule a professional radon test for the most accurate results. 

3. Install a Radon Mitigation System

The EPA recommends installing a radon mitigation system if your radon levels are above 4pCil/L or higher. The goal is to minimize the levels as much as possible because no level of radon exposure is considered safe.

Reduce Radon Gas With Teton Radon Services

For high-quality residential and commercial radon testing solutions, call Teton Radon Services. With 15 years of experience and state-of-the-art technology, we can help you test radon levels on your property in 48 hours and offer guidance on the best mitigation system for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.