SWAT Environmental Celebrates Air Quality Awareness Week

This week, May 1-5, is Air Quality Awareness Week, and we are proud to support the cause of safe, clean air. According to studies, indoor air quality is around five times worse than the outdoor air people breathe. Radon gas is a leading factor for this statistic. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas. Seemingly invisible to your senses, radon gas can creep up onto homeowners and cause life-threatening issues. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon gas can also cause mental problems, such as anxiety, depression, and can even cause leukemia. We are urging homeowners to learn about this gas, and about ways to minimize the risk of having this in their house.

Radon can be found worldwide, and every house has Radon gas. However, what really matters is what the Radon gas level is. This gas can be found in homes with the inhabitants unknowingly breathing it in. The unknown is what makes Radon gas so dangerous. Like stated above, it can cause life-long illnesses that can easily be avoided with the knowledge of how to detect the gas. 

Around 3.5 million people die each year from indoor air pollution, according to the EPA. This statistic may sound exaggerated, but think about the amount of time people spend indoors. On average, most Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. This is heavily supported by the fact that many people spend their working hours indoors in office settings. There is also more risk of illnesses when the indoor air is polluted. With all the harm that indoor air pollution can bring, there are ways to identify the dangerous particles in the air. 

SWAT Environmental Celebrates Earth Day

SWAT Environmental is pleased to announce they are celebrating Earth Day on April 22, 2017. This day was designated as a day to celebrate nature and to encourage individuals to do what they can to protect and preserve it. As part of the celebration, SWAT Environmental encourages residents to get their homes tested for radon.

Radon is a dangerous gas that can be found both indoors and out, but concentrations indoors are typically much higher and more dangers because it takes longer to dissipate. For this reason, it’s important for homeowners to have their homes tested for radon on a regular basis. If radon is detected, the professionals here at SWAT Environmental will be able to safely and effectively resolve the source of the gas and ensure safety in the home once again. 

For more information, click here to read more about Radon gas.

April 7 is World Health Day

World Health Day is Friday, April 7. SWAT Environmental wants to join the World Health Organization in bringing awareness to the mental health problems radon gas can cause. There are many reports on the physical health damages that radon may inflict on individuals, which includes lung cancer. But what happens after they are diagnosed? Family and friends of the individual can also be effected, if not directly. The mental health of everyone related to this terrible illness is just as important. According to the World Health Organization, there are 322 million people living with depression, and 264 million people living with anxiety disorders in the world. These disorders can stem from unemployment, life events like the death of a loved one or relationship break up, or physical illnesses, and can be a threat to anyone at any age. When a family member is diagnosed with lung cancer because of Radon gas effects, family members, and even the individual diagnosed, is at risk of developing a depressive or anxiety disorder. Part of being educated is knowing how and when to test for radon gas.  Property owners can purchase a test kit through their local SWAT Environmental. High levels of this dangerous gas mean that the people living in the property may be at risk. On World Health Day, April 7, use the hashtag, #LetsTalk, to join the conversation to understand how to support friends or family through the mental difficulties radon gas can cause.

Happy National Doctor's Day!

SWAT Environmental is so pleased to celebrate this year’s National Doctor’s Day on March 30^th. We work day in and day out on helping homeowners live a radon-free life. Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, only falling short to smoking. Here at SWAT Environmental, we help homeowners mitigate this gas, so the air they breathe is safe and clean. However, sometimes homeowners get us involved when it’s already too late. This is where the doctors come in.

SWAT Environmental would like to thank the medical professionals for doing their very best in helping patients remain as healthy as possible. Lung cancer is a very dangerous illness, and doctors work every day to lower the threat to patients’ lives. By recommending radon testing on a regular basis, doctors will be able to reduce their patients’ risk of developing this fatal disease.

Thank you, doctors! Enjoy your special day!

National Animal Poison Prevention Week

Animals are known as a human's best friend. They bring joy and unconditional love every day. Their tails wag, they purr, and they chirp. A life with animals in it is a happy one, and days are never dull. At SWAT Environmental, we care about our furry friends just as much as a member of our family. This is why we are taking action during Animal Poison Prevention Week.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that comes from the soil. Radon gas is a threat to everyone, even your pets. They are more susceptible to the effects since they stand closer to the ground, and are normally in the contaminated house more than humans.

Radon gas is just as much of a threat to your furry little friends as it is to you. Radon gas enters the home through cracks in the pavement or the foundation. Radon gas frequents the low levels of the house, such as the basement or ground-level rooms. These are also places where your animals may like to hang out.

Test your home today to keep your beloved pets and animals safe from the dangers of Radon gas.

Read more here.

Radon Levels in Winter: A Potentially Harmful Scenario PT.2

As we mentioned in part one of this dual blog post, there are a lot of weather and seasonal related issues that occur with the colder weather. This last part of our blog post will focus on the air circulation that can have a negative effect involving radon gas. Read on to learn more.

Less Air Circulation

Closed conditions in the home throughout the winter may keep radon levels from diluting with fresh air. During the summer, a certain level of dilution may happen when the windows are opened to bring in fresh air. Throughout the winter, windows tend to be kept closed in order to prevent cold air from coming in and warmer air from escaping. This effect can trap radon in and allow its concentrations to build.

It’s important to have your home tested on a regular basis in order to identify if levels of radon are high. And if so, steps need to be taken to ensure radon mitigation takes place to keep you and your family safe and healthy. Remember that taking preventative measures to help your family, home, and/or business is key to preventing the negative effects of radon taking over. 

Radon Levels in Winter: A Potentially Harmful Scenario PT. 1

Winter is approaching, which can bring radon gas right along with it. Homes that are located in colder climates may experience heightened levels of radon gas, which can put residents at risk.

Here are some reasons why radon gas tends to be found in higher concentration in homes during the winter.

Stack Effect

Greater stack effect may draw higher levels of radon gas into the home. In the winter, what’s known as the “stack effect” may be higher as the warmer air indoors rises and escapes to the cooler air outdoors. When this air escapes, the home must replace the air to equalize pressure.

A lot of homes get new air through drafty windows and doors. Homes may also get new air from the soil that they are constructed on. Air from the soil can be drawn in through cracks in the concrete, sump pump pits, plumbing pipe penetrations, floor drains, crawlspaces, and other areas that are in contact with the soil. This new air may contain radon gas.

Higher Concentrations

Higher concentrations of radon gas may enter the house during the winter season. Even though radon enters homes from the soil beneath, more radon gas escapes through the soil surrounding the home and dilutes into the air outdoors.

In the winter, the ground in yards may freeze and be covered in snow, creating a blanket effect that can trap radon gas in the soil surrounding the structure. With less amount of radon in the soil being able to escape normally, your home may be drawing in greater concentrations of the gas.