You’ve probably heard radon referred to as the “silent killer.” Radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, and is a serious health hazard.
With January being National Radon Action Month, it’s important to take the time to have your home tested for radon. Without radon testing, you’ll never know if the “silent killer” is lurking in your home.
About radon
Radon is a naturally occurring gas, and is a decay product of uranium or thorium. It’s one of the densest substances to remain a gas under normal conditions, and one of the only to have radioactive isotopes. As radon decays, it will produce new radioactive elements (“radon daughters” or decay products), which are solid and stick to surfaces like dust particles in the air.
Radon is often the biggest contributor to one’s background radiation dose, and is responsible for the majority of the public exposure to ionizing radiation.
The gas enters the home through the ground to the air above by way of cracks and other holes in a home’s foundation. The radon is trapped inside, where it may build up.
The main cause of radon issues is from soil gas, where radon enters the home through well water.
Health hazards
Radon is carcinogenic to humans. High concentrations cause 21,000 radon-induced lung cancer deaths in the United States each year, according to Environmental Protection Agency.
Other dangers:
- Inhalation increases risk of radiation-induced cancer.
- Radon daughters are toxic to the lung and respiratory systems.
- Studies have suggested a link between radon inhalation and leukemia, according to Environmental Health Perspectives.
Testing your home
If you haven’t had your home tested for radon in some time – or ever – then let AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service of Bloomington MN perform a test. We are National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) certified by the National Environmental Health Administration (NEHA) to perform electronic radon tests.
Call us now at (952) 854-5110 or Click Here.
