Educating yourself regarding radon and its effects on humans is a prerequisite to doing a radon test at your residence. First of all, what is radon? There is evidence that radon, a radioactive gas, contributes to cancer. Specifically, it is now known to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking. Being odourless and colourless, this is difficult to detect.
## Where does radon come from?
There are many radioactive substances on Earth. They are mostly hidden beneath the surface of the planet. Radon is created as a byproduct of this decay process for certain elements. Uranium is a radioactive element that can persist for the duration of Earth's existence, making it one of the most abundant on the planet. Its decomposition produces Radon, hence the gas itself is perpetually present. It lurks beneath the surface of the Earth, but it can make its way inside your house and put you in harm's path.
## How to Perform a Radon Test in Your Home
Because of this, you really must conduct a home inspection. What exactly are you planning to do? Gathering as much data as possible can help you conduct a thorough house inspection. You may get all the facts you need on this topic from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the Radon Information Center has a website that you can peruse.
Using a commercially available kit, you can determine how much radon is present in your home. The kit is accompanied by usage guidelines. If you want accurate findings, use a kit that has been certified as meeting EPA standards. You'll need to reseal the kit after you're done utilising the contents. Make sure to strictly adhere to the kit's provided instructions. Your next step is to have it examined at the designated lab. Most laboratory kits include pre-addressed mailing envelopes. There are kits made for continuous use. If you reside in a high-radon area, you may want to consider purchasing one.
A professional inspection is another option. These experts have the knowledge and equipment to give your home a thorough checkup. Be sure to look at their previous work before deciding to hire them. What is their track record in conducting house inspections, and how do their previous customers rate them?
## Radon abatement
Radon testing ottawa is a radioactive gas that can be found in your home. Because of this, you should always make an attempt to lessen it. There is no known safe radon concentration. However, lowering the concentration will almost certainly lessen the dangers as well.
Multiple strategies exist for lowering radon levels. Either a dirt suction system or a system with a fan and vent pipes can be used. However, keep in mind that the strategy you will choose will depend on the type of home you have and other considerations. Using a short-term radon kit, you may check your house for the gas. Repeat the test or use a long-term kit if it finds elevated radon levels. Nonetheless, finding a Certified Radon Mitigation contractor is your best bet.
The health risks posed by radon exposure are substantial. That's why it's important to perform frequent radon testing and implement mitigation strategies.
## Radon Mitigation in Virginia Becomes A Necessity for Homeowners
There is a common misconception regarding how frogs respond to a rise in temperature. Some say that if you put a frog in warm water, it will stay there and not try to get out, even when the water starts to boil. Others counter that the frog would either not be able to wait for the water to boil or would certainly react to the change by trying to jump out of the pot.
However, the situation has been compared to rescuing snakes, with one expert claiming that snakes will continue to rest on a "hot rock" even if the rock becomes extremely hot and kills them. Let's assume that this point of view is accurate and that certain reptiles don't react to or even notice a fatal shift in their surroundings. Is it sufficient to remark that we, as humans, may at times be oblivious to the dangers that steadily build within the very comforts of our own homes? Some could argue that it does.
## The Introduction of Radon
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of death, and it can spread silently and unnoticed over time. It is for this reason that carbon monoxide detectors are often mandated by law in many jurisdictions. In addition to the tragic outcomes seen in carbon monoxide poisoning and the aforementioned reptile tales, radon poisoning can and does occur.
The decomposition of uranium in the soil produces radon. It is the release of polonium during this process that gives radon its hazardous properties. Unfortunately, radon is often overlooked, not because people are oblivious, but because the gas is essentially invisible to the naked eye.
One cannot see it. It's odourless, tasteless, and completely odourless. So, it's not unheard of for someone to live in a house with extremely high radon levels without even realising it. As scary as the topic of radon may be, the problem is extremely real and, more importantly, incredibly simple to resolve.
First, let's get familiar with the dangers of radon exposure, and then we can talk about the testing and radon mitigation options in Virginia.
## It's no secret that radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer
Even if the dangers of cigarette smoke are well-known at this point, there was a period when it was seen as a means of destressing and even a hobby for some people. There is a correlation between radon gas in the home and lung cancer, much like there is between smoking cigarettes and developing lung cancer.
Lung cancer is most commonly caused by smoking, but radon is a close second. Radon, on the other hand, is by far the most important factor in the development of lung cancer in those who don't smoke. The EPA reports that radon is responsible for approximately 20,000 deaths each year in the United States alone, thus it is clear that this gas is deadly solely by the process of elimination.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that radon exposure causes 15 percent of all lung cancer cases worldwide.
## Even Trace Amounts of Radon Can Be Harmful
An optimistic person need just assume that nothing bad will ever happen to them. In the case of radon, however, hope and caution can coexist. Calling in a professional to mitigate and lower the radon levels as low as possible is a good idea even if a property has slightly low, or what are considered to be low risk levels of radon.
"We now understand that radon is a cancer-causing agent. This study provides further evidence that even brief exposure to radon can cause lung cancer "Director of the EPA's Indoor Environments Branch Tom Kelly put it this way.
"The vast majority of radon-related lung malignancies are the result of chronic, low- to medium-level exposures that happen in people's homes. In many countries, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, right behind tobacco usage ", World Health Organization's Dr. Maria Neira remarked.
## Incidence of Radon in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Air Chek, Inc. reports that the average radon level in the United States is 1.3 pCi/L (Picocuries), and that more than 70% of Virginia's counties may have radon levels that are even higher than 1.3.
It has been established that even below the EPA's "needs action" standard of 4.0 pCi/L, radon can be harmful. This is supported by the findings of numerous organisations, including the World Health Organization.
The two states share numerous counties with extremely high radon levels. While only six of West Virginia's fifty counties have a low radon risk, the picture for Virginia isn't too bad. Meanwhile, in Virginia, slightly under half of the counties are in danger, with another quarter facing a moderate risk.
Although these figures may be stunning and even frightening, they do not represent the actual heights of your property. In reality, you may be exposed to trace amounts of radon. But at any intensity, you worry about the security of your loved ones. The best approach is to get your house tested for radon and to schedule annual inspections of your mitigation system to ensure it is functioning properly. Radon levels can rise or fall over time in response to shifts in the surrounding environment, the temperature, and the construction of your home. Therefore, it is recommended that you see a professional in order to reduce the amount of radon in your home.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established three radon risk categories: high, moderate, and low. The southeast Virginia counties appear to have maintained a low level of risk, while the remainder of the state ranges from very high to somewhat worrying.
Here are three counties in Virginia that have varying radon concentrations
With only 11% very concerned, 21% somewhat concerned, and 69% not at all concerned, Southampton County is rated as having a low risk.
There are 38% very high risks, 18% rather high risks, and 52% modest risks in Wise County.
High danger is present in Lee County, with 41%, moderate risk being 15%, and low risk being 44%.
Each county has a certain percentage of homes with elevated radon levels, even though the averages vary. Therefore, it is recommended that all residences, irrespective of county, be tested for radon. Can you describe your skill levels?
By calling a local radon mitigation professional, you may reduce the radon levels in your home and protect yourself and your family from radon's dangerous effects.