Radon Awareness: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Radon is known as a silent and invisible threat to homeowners across the country. It is an invisible gas that can cause long-term health risks if not taken seriously. This gas can sneak into your home without warning. That is why it is vital to ensure that you are using radon test kits in your home. In this article we’ll give some more info to provide awareness to radon exposure. 

What is Radon? 

Radon is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas. It is naturally occurring and radioactive. Radon is formed when uranium (a radioactive heavy metal), breaks down into the soil, rocks, and water. 

How does it get into homes? 

Radon enters homes through pipes, foundation, cracks, construction joints, sump pumps and any openings where a home is in contact with the ground. It seeps in from the soil and can accumulate in floor crawl spaces or basements.  

What are the dangers of exposure? 

Radon poses potential lung disease risks if exposed for a long enough period of time. Exposure happens when radon particles are breathed through the lungs, and get trapped. Smokers are at an increased risk of lung disease with exposure. Your age and overall health can also impact how much at risk you are to getting lung disease from exposure. According to the EPA radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung disease, behind smoking, accounting for 21,000 deaths per year. 

How to mitigate radon exposure? 

Testing - Radon test kits are available for purchase to alarm if there is radon leaking in your home or space. Tests are available for short-term (2-7 days) and long-term (90 days or more). We recommend using both tests to be safer. 

HVAC options: There are a few things you can do to with your HVAC system to help prevent radon from leaking into your home. 

• Air Purifiers: These systems are able to purify the air, and remove toxic particles. This keeps gases like radon purified from the air in your space. 

• Seal entry points: Check anywhere by the ground where radon can potentially enter your home. Have these areas sealed to keep radon from seeping in.

• HVAC ventilation: Make sure all areas are properly ventilated in your home or space. Have your ventilation system inspected, cleaned, maintained, and improved with the help of a registered HVAC professional. 

• Air pressure balancing: Contact your registered HVAC professional to have the air pressure balanced with your HVAC system. This can help air pressure maintain proper balance ensuring radon gas is prevented from entering your home. 

Keeping your home free from Radon is important in order to eliminate potential health risks. It can be hard to detect, because of its lack of odor, color, or taste. Make sure to keep your HVAC ventilation system running efficiently with the help of your registered HVAC professional. And, get the proper testing to detect for potential radon exposure. If you have any questions or need your ventilation system cleaned, maintained, or inspected, contact us at Air-Mart AC & Heating.