radon testing

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Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. Radon is the result/byproduct of the natural decay of Radium in soil, rock, and water, and enters the home from below. Radium is also a daughter or progeny nuclide of Uranium. The EPA urges every homeowner to have radon inspections performed if your buying or selling a home.

Is It Dangerous?

The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Radon can be a problem in all types of  homes and has been found in homes in every state.

Why Should I Be Concerned?

While radon is harmless in the low levels found outdoors, when it seeps  into a home it can become concentrated in levels high enough to put  residents at risk. Radon gas is measured in picocuries per liter  (pCi/L), and the EPA recommends radon mitigation for all homes with radon gas levels of 4  pCi/L or higher. Radon gas is slightly heavier than air, so while it  settles in basements and crawl spaces, whole-house HVAC systems have a  tendency to distribute the gas throughout the entire home. That means  even a second story could potentially contain high levels of radon.

All outdoor and indoor air has some radon in it. Radon can build up in the air in any home or building whether it has a basement, is sealed or drafty, or is new or old. There  is no known safe level of radon and you should always aim to have the  lowest level. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends  fixing your home if radon levels are above 4 picCuries per liter of air (pCi/L).

• Local geology
• Construction materials
• How the home was built

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette  smoking. The EPA and the Surgeon General’s office estimate radon is  responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the  United States.

When you breathe in radon, radioactive particles from the decay of  radon gas can get trapped in your lungs. It takes many years for lung  cancer to develop.  Most people don’t have symptoms until lung cancer is  advanced and at that point it is harder to treat. For these reasons, it  is important to take steps to reduce radon exposure throughout your  life to help prevent lung cancer.

Factors that increase your risk of getting lung cancer from radon include the following:

• High radon levels in your home or another building that you regularly spend time in
• High radon levels in the part of the home or building where you  spend the most time (Radon levels are often higher in basements and  lower levels.)
• Smoking cigarettes, currently or in the past
• Burning wood, coal, or other substances that add particles to air

Currently, no conclusive data show whether children are at greater risk than adults from radon.

There are areas throughout the Chattanooga Tri-State area and NW Georgia, Dalton, Cohutta that produce high levels of Radon Gas. Our home inspector can perform Radon Testing in your new home using ultra-sensitive radon detection technology to ensure the safety of you and your family prior to purchasing your new home. Call us today to perform a Radon Test in your home!