Radon: The Houseguest No One Wants to Have

In the Winter, we often spend more time indoors with friends and family.  Unfortunately, there could be an unwanted guest in the room: radon.  Recently, January was declared National Radon Awareness Month by the US Surgeon General, in partnership with The American Lung Association, Centers for Disease Control and National Cancer Institute and the Environmental Protection Agency.

This deadly gas can have detrimental effects on your family’s health.  In fact, radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

So what is radon?  It’s a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of Uranium, which is found in almost all soils.   To get into your home’s foundation, radon moves up through the ground to the air, penetrating your home through cracks in the foundation.  This is where the air then becomes trapped.  Radon can also infiltrate the soil around your home, which can taint your water supply.

Should I Get My Home Tested?

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends regular radon inspections.  Inspect-It 1st is qualified to complete those inspections throughout the country.  While there are many at-home test kits, detecting the source of the radon is important, which one of our qualified professionals will be able to do.

It’s important to become educated on radon and the truths behind it.  There are several myths regarding its seriousness and true effects on people.  Check out the EPA’s website for the truth behind those myths.