Indoor air pollution kills.
This is not a scare tactic, but a simple fact that needs to be acknowledged if air contamination is to be reduced over the coming years. Due to the closed spaces (and sometimes poorly maintained) conditions of some homes many American families are unknowingly exposing themselves to harmful chemicals. One of the most subtle and virulent is radon gas, an odorless and tasteless chemical that rises from the earth and puts nearby people at risk for developing lung cancer. Even if you’re sure your home is clean and well-kept, a radon testing session can mean the difference between life or death.
What Is Indoor Air Pollution?
The air you breathe can be filled with unseen contaminants. Believe it or not, the air inside your home is up to three times worse than the outside. This is caused by the accumulation of dust, mold and dander that can build over time, particularly if you don’t air your home out on a regular basis. A poorly function air conditioning system can also exacerbate an already at-risk home and put you and your family at risk for chronic headaches, breathing difficulties and unexplained fatigue.
What Are Indoor Environmental Hazards?
An important note to consider is not just applying for radon testing, but keeping your home clear of harmful contaminants throughout the week. This means opening up your windows to air out each room, replacing your air conditioning filters every other month (or when they start to clog), vacuuming weekly, throwing out the trash when it’s full and preventing the build-up of mold. Mold comes in many varieties, but all of them are harmful to human health and should be removed as soon as possible. Practice good habits like scheduling yearly carpet cleaning and turning on the ventilation every time you shower.
What Is Radon Gas Testing?
Radon gas testing services are available to help identify the presence of radon gas in or around your home. Radon gas is a deadly substance that needs to be mitigated as soon as possible to keep you and your family safe from long-term harm. The Surgeon General has recently warned the American public that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country. A family with a home possessing radon levels of 4 pCi/l is exposed to 35 times as much radiation as they would be standing right next to the fence of a radioactive waste facility.
What Are The Side-Effects Of Radon?
Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, but can also be a factor in many short-term illnesses. Unexplained headaches, fatigue and the onset of asthma are a few side-effects that can be experienced if you have radon gas in or around your home. The risk of lung cancer has been found to increase by at least 16% per 100 Bq/m increase in long-term exposure. It’s estimated one out of every 15 America homes have radon levels either at or above the EPA’s recommended level. A local radon mitigation company can drastically reduce this exposure and keep your family in the clear.
How Do I Eliminate Radon Gas From My Home?
The only way to ensure your home is safe from radon exposure is to reach out to a local radon testing company and ask about their local sump pump excavation services. Due to the difficult nature of radon gas it’s hard to detect, with side-effects only showing up when you and your family have been exposed in the long-term. Passive systems of mitigation have been very successful as of late and can reduce indoor radon levels by nearly 50%. With the aid of ventilation fans this number can be increased even further. Radon in your home is a scary thought, but one that can be challenged with a mitigation and abatement service.
Scientists estimate at least 4% of lung cancer deaths can be prevented through radon testing services. Protect your family this year by giving yourself peace-of-mind.