What To Know About Radon And Your Home
Radon is a radioactive gas. It's odorless, colorless, and tasteless, and it is something you won't know is present unless you specifically test for it. Radon is a major health risk because it can be in your home without your knowledge, and being exposed to radon over a good period of time can lead to serious health issues, such as the development of lung cancer. The more you know about radon, the better position you are putting yourself and your family in when it comes to creating a healthy and safe home environment. Here is more information on radon and radon testing:
Where does radon come from, and when is there cause for serious concern?
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from uranium that's in a state of decay. Radon can be in just about any type of soil, and it's in the air at extremely low levels. Radon becomes a serious health concern when it gets trapped inside your home or any other enclosed space. This is due to the amount of radon being at a higher level due to it collecting in that space.
What causes radon to become trapped in a home or other enclosed space?
When there is radon soil near the home, it can enter the home in a number of ways. One way it can come inside is by seeping through porous concrete, seams, and gaps throughout the house, and any other way that air would be able to come inside. It's important to understand that your home can have a completely different radon reading than your neighbor's home. It's hard to determine whether a home is at risk, so testing is the only true way to know the radon levels in any enclosure. Radon is also often more of a risk for lower levels of a building. This means the first few floors of a structure can have high levels, while the upper floors may be fine.
When should you have your home tested for radon?
It's always a good idea to test your home's radon levels if you don't know that it's already been tested. However, it's a very good idea for you to make sure the house has been tested for radon before you buy or sell it. This lets you know you are buying or selling a home that's safe and healthy for yourself or anyone else to move into.
For more info, contact a local company that offers radon testing services.