Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and it’s considered to be a health hazard due to its radioactivity.
Radon is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. Naturally existing, low levels of uranium occur widely in Earth's crust. It can be found in all 50 states. Once produced, radon moves through the ground to the air above. Some remains below the surface and dissolves in water that collects and flows under the ground's surface.
Breathing high concentrations of radon over time can increase the risk of lung cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after cigarette smoking, and the leading cause among nonsmokers. Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
Depending on how houses are built and ventilated, radon may accumulate in basements and other areas of dwellings. Unless you test for it, there is no way of telling how much is present.
To test for radon in your home, you can purchase an inexpensive radon test kit online or at most home improvement and hardware stores. Just follow the instructions to place the test in your home, then after the specified number of days, send it to the lab in the provided mailer for your results.
If your test shows a radon level of 4.0 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends taking steps to reduce it. A qualified radon mitigation professional can install a system to significantly lower the radon level in your home.
Call us at 208-327-2127 and we can recommend a great professional to help!
Radon is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. Naturally existing, low levels of uranium occur widely in Earth's crust. It can be found in all 50 states. Once produced, radon moves through the ground to the air above. Some remains below the surface and dissolves in water that collects and flows under the ground's surface.
Breathing high concentrations of radon over time can increase the risk of lung cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after cigarette smoking, and the leading cause among nonsmokers. Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
Depending on how houses are built and ventilated, radon may accumulate in basements and other areas of dwellings. Unless you test for it, there is no way of telling how much is present.
To test for radon in your home, you can purchase an inexpensive radon test kit online or at most home improvement and hardware stores. Just follow the instructions to place the test in your home, then after the specified number of days, send it to the lab in the provided mailer for your results.
If your test shows a radon level of 4.0 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends taking steps to reduce it. A qualified radon mitigation professional can install a system to significantly lower the radon level in your home.
Call us at 208-327-2127 and we can recommend a great professional to help!
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