When uranium and radium break down, they produce an odorless gas called radon. Since both these elements are radioactive, radon gas is also the same. The toxic gas doesn’t cause much harm outdoors as it quickly dissipates into the air, but when it is found inside air-tight insulated homes, it can cause lung cancer. This is one of the main reasons you should always get a radon inspection done on your home. If you’re purchasing a new property, get it tested as well.
If your current home is already filled with radon gas, you can opt for radon mitigation.
What is a Radon Testing?
This inspection involves using a testing kit that collects and measures radioactive particles from your home. The test determines the amount of gas present in your home’s air.
The testing device is placed on the lowest level of your home used as a living space. Your testing kit will be placed on the basement floor if your home has a basement. There are two types of tests; active and passive. The active test is more thorough and reliable, giving more precise results.
The test readings are measured in picocuries per liter. Homes that have more than four picocuries per liter are considered hazardous, and radon mitigation is a must in this case. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if the gas levels exceed 2.7 picocuries per liter, you should get mitigation done immediately.
Mitigation
If your tests indicate these high toxic gas levels, you must get radon mitigation done as soon as possible. Mitigation involves reducing these toxic levels in your home. You can’t eliminate it from your home entirely, but it is possible to reduce them to a level that deems the toxic gas ineffective. To be more specific, your radon level should fall below 2.7 picocuries per liter.
Final Thoughts
Radon gas poses significant health risks, which is why it is essential to get your home inspected for it. Delays can deteriorate your health considerably and can even cause lung cancer.
While it is possible to use a DIY kit for testing, it is better to get your home inspected by a professional for accurate results. If you’re looking for any leads for hiring a radon inspector, we suggest you give A Handy Home Inspector Home and Insurance Inspections a try. They offer a variety of home inspection services and you can call (239) 340-0375 for more details.
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