Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the United States. It’s estimated that over 20,000 people die each year in the United States due to lung cancer caused by inhaling radon gas. The Surgeon General and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend that all homes be tested and it is estimated that nearly 1 in 15 homes in the United States have elevated radon levels.
Radon gas is a natural radioactive gas that has no taste or smell. Radon gas is generated by the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. Radon can be found all over the United States, and it can get into any type of building (houses, offices, or schools).
Radon gas normally moves up from the ground below the foundations of a building, through cracks and other holes in the building’s foundation. Radon gas then enters the building through cracks in walls or floors, gaps around service pipes, gaps in suspended floors, any cavities inside walls, and the water supply.
The level or radon in gas air is measured in picocuries per litre of air (pCi/L). The average radon gas in outside air is 0.4 pCi/L. The average radon gas in air indoors is 1.3 pCi/L. The EPA recommends that if the level of radon gas in your home exceeds 4.0 pCi/L that you need to get your home fixed. A method commonly used to fix a home involves installing a vent pipe system and fan to pull the radon gas from beneath the house, and venting the radon gas into the outside air.
- Hiring a professional radon gas tester – this service requires that you hire a professional radon testing service to visit your home for a once off test to determine the current radon gas levels in your home
- Using a radon gas test kit – These kits are quite inexpensive, and easy for anyone to use. These kits typically cost less than $20, and are used only once. You position these kits in a recommended location within your home for 2 to 3 days, and then you mail the test kit off to a EPA-Registered Radon Testing Laboratory. The testing laboratory will analyze the test kit, and send the test kit results back to you. The price of the radon gas test kit normally includes the lab test fee, and a return mailer is normally included in the kit.
- Using a radon gas detector – This is an electronic device that continuously monitors the level of radon gas in your home. A radon gas detector records radon gas levels over a long period of time. A radon gas detector can average out and display the long-term reading within a home, as well as the immediate, short-term reading. These readings are normally displayed on a LED display, and some of these devices have an audible alarm which sounds when radon gas levels become dangerous.
As the radon gas levels in you home may vary quite a bit from season to season, and with changes in temperature, humidity, and ventilation, it’s a good idea to continually test the radon gas levels in your home to get an accurate average reading for your home. If you would like to continuously, and accurately monitor the radon gas levels in your home, then its recommended that you get a radon gas detector.
The Safety Siren Pro-3 Radon Gas Detector Monitor Tester
Tags: home safety, radon gas, radon gas detector
Radon is radioactive, noble gas, which is hard to spot. It is outcome of innate putrefaction of uranium is present in many households. It can cause lung cancer. Those homes which are situated beneath the third floor need to get their homes tested for levels of radon. By creating pressure variations in the house or by fitting a radon mitigation system prior to constructing can stop radon from seeping into the house. For more details on radon gas, refer Radon gas