Every house in the US has been found to
contain trace amounts of radon gas. 1 in every 15 homes has dangerous levels of
the gas, and it is important that it is addressed immediately. Radon gas is
among the most feared gases due to the health risks it poses to humans. The
dangers of radon gas include lung cancer, especially in people who smoke.
Studies are also trying to figure out the link between the gas and leukemia.
All the dangers of radon gas can be averted
by conducting a home test to find out if the levels are very high. Radon gas is
both odorless and colorless which makes it impossible to detect without the
proper testing tools. There are test kits that offer short term testing
capabilities and take between two and seven days to give results. Long term
kits take 90 days to give a full report on the levels of the gas all year long.
Radon gas testing is highly recommended
anytime you make some significant adjustments to your homes like installing new
doors and windows, changing your heating or cooling systems and anything that
could change the pressure and ventilation of your house allowing more gas to
enter.
Once you have the test kit, place the
container in an area of your home that has less traffic. Once the duration of
the test is up, seal the container and take it to a lab. When the results come
in, check that your levels do not exceed 4.0 pCi/Li. If they do, it is time to
call a contractor to help you contain the gas. The gas can be contained
through:
I.
The installation of a suction system in the house. The system will
remove the gas that is already in your home and significantly lower the levels
to working levels that are safe for people.
II.
If there are any cracks in your foundation, they need to be fixed to
block the entrance of radon gas into your home.
III.
Change your ventilation choices. In as much as your home requires
adequate ventilation, investing in the right kind to prevent radon gas is
important. The pressure in your house should also be balanced.
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