Radon is known as the silent killer. It rests in the earth, the byproduct of radium’s breakdown and decay, and rises through the soil. Sometimes, it finds its way into a home, whether through cracks in the foundation or through well water pumped out of the ground.
Once it’s inside your home, it tends to settle, filling the air. When it’s breathed in, it can rest in the lungs, causing reactions and possibly damaging the tissue. After many years, breathing in radon gas can result in emphysema, lung cancer, or other respiratory diseases. Radon poisoning has no immediately apparent symptoms, so it’s best to catch it before it makes itself at home. Read on to explore four ways to protect your family from radon exposure.
Testing
The surest way to begin the fight against radon gas is to test for its presence. Short-term DIY radon testing kits are available at most hardware stores and online. Short-term tests can take anywhere from 2 to 90 days to take their readings, but it depends on the type of test kit used. A better and more certain way to test for radon is to enlist the services of a radon mitigation specialist. They use tools of greater complexity to test for radon and can deliver a more accurate reading and result. The tester will inform you about the reading and explain what options for addressing the issue are available.
Better Ventilation
It’s only a temporary fix, but it helps. Make sure your home has effective ventilation. Open the doors and windows every now and then to let fresh air in and chase the “bad” air out. Use fans to keep the air flowing, and be sure the vents for your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system are clean and clear of blockage and obstacles. Don’t let the time of year prevent you from keeping the air clear. Leaving a few windows open for a bit, even on a chilly day, can help.
Cover Up Cracks
Radon comes from underground, so you should make it harder for it to enter the premises. Hire a contractor to seek out cracks, holes, and other entry points in the basement and fill them with a silicon-based caulk. You can do it yourself, of course, but seek training and background information through online videos or other instruction manuals. After you seal everything, test again.
Mitigating Radon
If the radon levels in your home measure above 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air), the EPA recommends immediate action by installing a radon mitigation system. Many modern homes in radon-heavy areas already have radon mitigation systems. Both interior and exterior radon mitigation systems are set up to take radon gas from below the house’s foundation and direct it upward. For radon in well water, a combined filtration and aeration system might be necessary to remove and disperse the radon dissolved in your cooking, bathing, and drinking water.
Those are just four ways to protect your family from radon exposure. Above all, stay educated and vigilant about radon’s presence and effects. Sometime, far into the future, it could save a family member’s life!
