Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, which is something that a lot of people don’t realize. The disintegration of uranium in rock, water, and soil is what produces it. You may have a radon problem in your home because your home’s air pressure is lower than the air pressure in the soil surrounding your home. That’s why Mitigation, which can alter the pressure between your home and its surroundings is critical. Radon is a radioactive, cancer-causing gas that is exceedingly harmful. The Surgeon General has cautioned that radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer in the United States, and it is projected to cause thousands of fatalities. As a result, evaluating the levels in your house is critical for the well-being of you and your family.
An evaluation is necessary before you can determine if you need radon toronto mitigation. A unique piece of equipment is needed to detect radon because you can’t see or smell it. For radon testing, all you have to do is call your local office or search online for a radon test kit. You can get two distinct kinds of radon testing equipment for a reasonable price. It is a good idea to have a radon remediation system installed if you have tested your home and found that the radon level is 2.7 pCi/l (picocuries of radon per liter of air) or higher.
As simple as it is to install, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you hire a radon mitigation professional because the reduction of levels necessitates high-level technical expertise. It is possible that the radon levels in your house could actually rise as a result of faulty installation, increasing the dangers to you and your family. That’s why installing your radon mitigation system should only be done by a state-certified or qualified mitigation contractor. To build mitigation measures or simply undertake tests, most states need specialists to be qualified, registered, or licensed. When it comes to finding radon service companies, most states can offer you a broad list. Ask them if they are certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings, E2121 if you live in a state that does not regulate radon services.
A good time to contact a radon mitigation contractor and get your house tested for radon levels is during January, which is National Radon Action Month. If necessary, a radon mitigation system can be installed. It’s easy to find radon mitigation firms serving the majority of the United States online if you have any questions or concerns about the process of installing a radon mitigation system.
How to Reduce the Risk of Radon Exposure in Your Home
It is a radioactive gas that is odorless and tasteless and goes untested in homes too often. Radon gas is a major health hazard that has been linked to an upward trend in the number of lung cancer fatalities. Radon exposure is in reality the greatest cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United States, according to the EPA. Knowing what causes high radon levels and how to keep your house at a safe radon level is critical in reducing the risk of exposure.
Radon is a gas
The breakdown of uranium in rocks, soil, and water produces radon. The predominant cause of elevated radon levels in U.S. houses is soil, even though rock and water can produce minor amounts of radon. It’s possible that radioactive gas can seep into your home through foundation cracks or other openings if the soil around your property has elevated amounts. In addition, this gas can enter your home via water, particularly through groundwater sources or a good system.
Radon testing
A radon test is the only way to tell if your house has harmful levels of radon. Radon testing can be done in two ways: by hiring an independent contractor who is certified or by using a Do-It-Yourself radon testing kit. Either approach is inexpensive and simple to use.
US households have 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) on average of radon, according to research. This is fantastic, especially in light of the EPA’s action limit of 4.0 pCi/L. A 4.0 pCi/L or higher reading on the radon level in your house indicates that you may be at risk of developing cancer. Because smoking increases your risk of lung cancer, it is important to keep in mind that your home may also be increased the level of radon, which raises your chances of developing the disease.
Reducing radon levels at home
While there are numerous ways to reduce the radon level in your house, the first step is to detect radon levels and execute a method of exterminating the current radon. It’s a bad idea to try to block out the radon from leaving your home, as that would be detrimental.
To prevent radon from infiltrating your home, seal any cracks or gaps in the foundation. If you’re looking for a place to start, start with the basement or garage. A high-density plastic sheet should be used to cover the dirt beneath your home’s crawlspace foundation.
With a heat recovery ventilator, you can keep radon out of your home (HRV). By boosting ventilation and reducing radon levels, an HRV helps to enhance the air quality in a house. HRVs can be used to air your entire home or just a specific region, such as the basement, that is at risk for radon. Make sure to change your HRV filter on a regular basis to get the best results.
Increasing the pressure in a home’s basement, where radon normally enters through the soil, is an efficient radon reduction technique called pressurization. Radon cannot enter the home through the lower floors because of the increased pressure.
Open windows, doors, and lower-level vents to let in the fresh air and improve natural circulation for a temporary drop in radon levels.
It is simple and inexpensive to have your home tested for radon, which can significantly lower your risk of lung cancer. Radon testing can be done by you or a professional. The sooner you take action to protect your family from the dangers of radon, the better.