Why
Ask a Stupid Question About Radon?
There
are no stupid questions when it comes to your health and the health of your
family. Homeowners need to know radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer
in non-smokers and is responsible for roughly 21,000 deaths per year. Everybody
has questions about radon once they learn of its hidden dangers. September 28th
is Ask A Stupid Question Day, typically observed the last school day of
September. On this day SWAT Environmental urges every homeowner, parent,
teacher, and business owner to “Ask a Stupid Question”, that others are more
than likely wondering as well.
How
does Radon exposure affect your lungs?
Radon
is the number two cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. Radon decays
and gives off radioactive particles. When inhaled, these particles can damage
lung cells leading to lung cancer. Being exposed to 4 picocuries during typical
waking hours is equivalent to smoking a half pack of cigarettes during that
time.
Who discovered Radon?
German
scientist, Friedrich Ernst Dorn, discovered radon in 1900. Radon, a naturally occurring element, was given
number 86 on the periodic table and is the last of the noble gases. Radon can
be found in low levels in the atmosphere and some bodies of water due to
dispersion. It has been found in wells, and soil around and under structures.
How
do I know if I have radon in my home or business?
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas much like
carbon monoxide and exposure happens in homes, offices and buildings. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) states it has been found in all fifty states and 1 out
of 15 homes nationally have elevated levels of radon. Some states have high
radon levels in 50% of the homes. The only way to know if you have elevated
radon levels is to test. Radon test kits can be purchased at home improvement
stores or at 911Radon.com. The average price for a radon test kit is $20.00. If
the results come back with radon
levels at or above 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends mitigating the problem.
How
does radon get removed from a building?
Through the mitigation process, radon can be diverted from below
the home to the outdoor exterior, where it can disperse into the exterior air.
The goal of the mitigation process is to reduce the concentration of the radon
gas to a level where it is no longer harmful to the occupants of the building.
Since radon is naturally occurring, there will always be small traces in all
homes and buildings, but the goal is to be below 4 pCi/L.
What is the cost of a radon mitigation system?
Radon mitigation costs can vary based on the levels, the
foundation of the building, and if there could be a major outlet allowing radon
into the structure, such as a crawl space or major cracks in the foundation.
However, the overall cost compared to many minor home improvements is about the
same or even less.
If you have more questions about radon, know that they are
not stupid, and check out the FAQs. Call SWAT
Environmental if you cannot find the answers you are looking for at
1-800-NO-RADON (800-667-2366).
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