January Is National Radon Action Month

Did you know that January has been named National Radon Action Month by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

You can’t see, smell or taste radon gas, but it could be present at dangerous levels in your home and you wouldn’t even know. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year. In fact, the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon.

Exposure to radon is a preventable health risk and testing radon levels in your home can help prevent unnecessary exposure. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take protect yourself and your family by taking steps to fix the problem.

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO TEST FOR RADON?

Call Anchor Home Inspection! We are radon testing certified. We will test for radon in your home by testing for radon at the lowest level of living in the home. One to two machines are placed in specific areas, and the measurement can take two or more days. 12 hours before the test, do not open your windows and limit door usage. During the test, follow the same instructions. The goal is to get the most accurate reading of what is released from the soil beneath your home. Windows and doors allow air inside and skew the test results.

WHAT IF THE RADON TEST COMES BACK HIGH?

Again, there are no safe levels of radon, but it is recommended to install a mitigation system at anything 2.0 pCi/L or higher. The threat of lung cancer should not be taken lightly.

Mitigation means merely removing the unwanted build-up of radon. This is achieved by using a fan system to reroute the radon into a pipe that draws the radon upward where it is released into the air above the home. From there it dissipates and is no longer a threat. This type of mitigation system is known as active soil depressurization (ASD).

If your test results come back higher than normal, find a certified radon mitigation company like Anchor Home Inspection. After analyzing your home and test results, they will come back with an estimate and plan on the best way to fix your radon problem. Ensure that you retest the home after the system is installed to make sure the radon is removed, and continue to retest the house every few years.

Don’t be left wondering, your health and families health is to important – why not take action this month.