Action Steps Needed to Avoid Serious Health Risks 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raises the alarm across all 50 states concerning airborne exposure to radon, a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. The Surgeon General warns radon is second only to smoking as a lung cancer causative. In non-smokers, it is the number one cause. Uranium in soil, rock, or water degrades into radium over time, and properties built over such materials can collect the radon gas created. Although any structure can have dangerous radon levels, you and your family spend most of your time at home, making understanding and managing household radon exposure critical to your health and well-being. 

Radon Risk in Your Home  

Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Thus, it does not easily make itself known. Some areas of the US are more likely to have uranium-containing rock, soil, or water underlying building foundations. However, hoping relative rareness in your region eliminates radon as a hazard is a fallacy. No safe level of radon exposure exists, and the EPA estimates that one in 15 homes, 7 million nationwide, have detectable radon, which could contribute to the eventual death of an estimated 21,000 people per year. Proaction in determining the presence of radon is crucial. Do not wait for the tragedy of someone in your home exhibiting any of the following symptoms that point to severe adverse health effects or cancer: 

  • Relentless cough, including coughing up blood  
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Wheezing    
  • Chest pain  
  • Unexplained weight loss 

Arrange Radon Level Testing  

The only reliable way to ascertain whether radon poses a risk is to obtain testing, and the sooner you choose a reputable testing firm, the better. Although you can purchase DIY testing kits utilizing short-term charcoal canisters or other means, the cost of hiring a trained and certified company is reasonable and an excellent investment.  

Evaluating Test Results 

Discovering findings that indicate elevated radon levels will trigger consideration of radon remediation. Leading radon remediation service providers like AdvantaClean will conduct long-term, often continuous monitoring, which provides more comprehensive data. Remember that radon residual levels can change seasonally as the gas builds up when your residence is closed up for heating or cooling. The consequences of increased radon gas are too concerning to settle on a cheaper and briefer test you try to interpret yourself. Evaluation of varying radon levels is vital in the timing of eventual radon remediation; as mentioned earlier, no level is safe, but some demand urgency.  

Testing provides data in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA finds levels above 4 pCi/L an emergency requiring immediate remediation. The agency strongly suggests addressing levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L and continuously monitoring even lower levels with remediation, a reasonable precaution if even slightly elevated levels persist. 

Radon Remediation   

AdvantaClean devises an individualized plan to exhaust radon gas from each home tested. The goal is to direct the hazardous vapors out quickly and efficiently. Methods vary depending on whether your home has a basement, a foundation slab on grade, or a crawl space. Occasionally, more than one scenario requires a flexible or multi-faceted approach:  

  • Natural ventilation through open doors and windows on lower levels has the disadvantage of merely temporarily reducing radon gas. The release of radon is in opposition to keeping your home warm or cool as outdoor temperatures cycle.  
  • Soil suction systems encompass options like sub-slab suction, drain-tile suction, sump-hole suction, or block-wall suction after assessing what features your home has in place.  
  • Crawlspace interventions integrate plastic membrane containment with fan-powered ventilation, often termed submembrane suction. 
  • Caulking and sealing cracks are advised only in conjunction with other strategies for acceptable results. 
  • House or room pressurization prevents radon from entering, limiting the homeowner's ability to use natural ventilation as open doors and windows interfere with positive pressure. 
  • Heat recovery ventilation, sometimes termed an air-to-air heat exchanger, combines the introduction of fresh air with the active exhaustion of radon-laden warmed or cooled air. 

outline of a home with a magnifying glass over the letters Rn

Threats from radon exposure cannot be ignored. Fortunately, current testing technology and proven mitigation interventions are available and effective. AdvantaClean is an industry leader in radon testing and remediation, helping with accurate assessment and the most successful removal of the hazardous gas.

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