What is Radon?Radon is a highly radioactive gas that has neither an odor or taste, nor can you see it. Radon is a natural gas that is produced from the natural decay of various kinds of rocks and soils. Although more commonly found in underground work areas (i.e. mines), there has been a rise in Radon levels throughout the United States, especially in the Greater Nashville area. Because it is odorless and tasteless, many people may be exposed to it without their knowledge.
Radon tends to seep up through the floorboards of residential homes, rise through the potentially faulty foundation in your garage, and can even affect commercial buildings as well. According to a study done by the Surgeon General’s Office, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is posed as a serious health concern.
How Does Someone Become Exposed to Radon?Radon is a naturally occurring gas, so the potential risks of exposure are rather high, even if only in small quantities. There are a range of natural sources that produce Radon as they begin to decay. Namely:
Although Limestone could be considered in this category, it is not as common for high levels of Radon to be produced from limestone decay. It is also important to know that Radon is not only produced from natural sources, but can also be produced through man-made structures.
Radon likes to sit under buildings, but if there are cracks in the flooring, holes in the walls, spaces between piping or sheetrock, or even if you have a welled-water-source, Radon can contaminate the air or water in your home. It most commonly affects poorly ventilated, highly insulated, low elevation homes, but the levels of Radon concentration vary depending on location.
The risk for each home is uncertain. It is important that if you are concerned about Radon contamination you contact a Radon Mitigation Company to test your home for Radon exposure.
How Can Radon Affect Your Health?Radon is a respiratory irritant and can be potentially very dangerous to your overall health. Many people who are exposed to excessive levels of Radon can experience various forms of respiratory affects or even develop lung cancer. A vast majority of people who have been exposed to Radon do not notice any change in their health until it’s too late.
Although this may be concerning, low-level exposure has not posed very serious risks other than slight respiratory irritation if anything at all. The greater the exposure and the longer the exposure takes place, the greater the risk.
Because high Radon exposure has been linked as being one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States—over 21,000 deaths are reported each year from Radon related illnesses—it is important for you to consider the health effects of Radon exposure and/or poisoning.
What are the Symptoms of Radon Poisoning?As stated above, there are potentially life-threatening risks to Radon exposure. Radon poisoning occurs when someone is exposed to high-levels of Radon for an extended period of time. Long-term exposure can lead to respiratory damage, respiratory failure, or even lung cancer.
Symptoms of Long-Term Radon ExposureAlthough most people do not notice any severe health changes while exposed to Radon, once you have been exposed for a long period of time, you may start noticing some rather concerning respiratory system symptoms. Some of these may include:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe Radon may be the cause of your health decline, consider talking with your doctor. These may be signs of something more serious.
Lung Cancer SymptomsRadon is considered one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States. Approximately 21,000 deaths are reported every year from Radon exposure. It is important that if you notice any of these symptoms you consult your doctor:
Although many of these symptoms could occur through other causes, if you are experiencing some of these symptoms and are concerned or believe that you may have been exposed to Radon, consult your doctor for medical attention.
How to Reduce the Risk of Radon ExposureDon’t be too frightened! High levels of Radon and excessive Radon exposure are easily preventable. There are very practical measures you can take in order to prevent your house from becoming contaminated or even lower the pre-existing Radon levels.
Radon TestingAre you concerned you may have a Radon problem within your home? Consider Radon testing from a professional Radon testing and mitigation company. They are capable of getting results back to you or your business usually within a few days to a little over a week.
Types of Radon TestingThere are two primary ways to conduct short-term Radon testing: continuous Radon monitors (CRMs) and Charcoal tests. Although CRMs are the preferred method, they are both valid ways to determine whether or not your Radon levels are too high. Each form of testing will produce results within 48 hours to 10-14 days depending on the company you choose or whether you do the testing yourself.
Radon MitigationAlthough the mitigation process relies on several different factors depending on the state of your house and the way it is built, there are typically three ways to mitigate Radon: foundation fans and piping, basement or slab-on-grade depressurization or sub-slab suction and piping, or a vapor barrier that will be placed in your crawl space. All of these forms of mitigation are proven to reduce the levels of Radon in your home and create a safe environment for your family or business.
Want More Information?Consider visiting our website: Radon 1 from https://www.radon1.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-radon-poisoning/
1 Comment
What is Radon?Radon (Rn) is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is produced through the decay and natural breakdown of Uranium and other sediments. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible gas. Although most commonly found in the earth and released into the air, Radon can contaminate water sources that are exposed or contain uranium sources.
Where is Radon?Radon is typically found in the earth and various rocks. Because Radon is produced through the decay of uranium, it can be found is nearly every rock. However, when Radon is produced outdoors, it is not as dangerous. When outdoors, Radon levels are naturally reduced through it interaction with the atmosphere, dissipating and causing no health risk.
However, Radon can be found in many homes across the United States, especially in Nashville. Since Radon is produced through soil and sediment decay, many buildings become affected by it if their home has poor ventilation and tight insulation. Radon can seep up through the spaces in floorboards, through cracks in foundations, or through the space in between walls and sheetrock.
Natural Sources of RadonThere are a range of natural sources that produce Radon as they begin to decay. Namely:
Although Limestone has been found to carry low levels of Radon, it is not as common for high levels of Radon to be produced from limestone decay. It is also important to know that Radon is not only produced from natural sources, but can also be produced through man-made structures.
Radon likes to sit under buildings, but if there are cracks in the flooring, holes in the walls, spaces between piping or sheetrock, or even if you have a welled-water-source, Radon can contaminate the air or water in your home. It most commonly affects poorly ventilated, highly insulated, low elevation homes, but the levels of Radon concentration vary depending on location.
Radon in Drinking WaterAlthough Radon is more commonly found in soil and igneous rocks, there is a possibility that your water may be contaminated with Radon. City water is not as much of a concern because it goes through a strict decontamination and filtering process, but well water sources can become contaminated if the well is in direct contact with uranium containing soil or rocks.
If your water source is in contact with Radon containing soil or rocks, Radon can dissolve in the water. When well water is pulled through a house whether through the shower, sink, bath, etc. the gas escapes the water and enters the air. Although not as common, it can still pose a health concern if the levels are beyond the recommended 2.6 pCi/L.
What Affects Radon Levels?High levels of Radon can be dangerous. The United States Surgeon General’s Office has discovered that over 21,000 deaths have been caused by Radon related lung cancer every year. Radon is a radioactive gas so its concentration is measured by pCi/L or Picocuries per liter.
There are many factors that come into play when discussing Radon levels and their fluctuations. Radon levels typically rise during the colder months of the year. Fall and Winter are heavy rain seasons and at times produce snow and ice. During these seasons, the rain and snow create a capping effect on the ground. This means that the ground can be broken apart releasing and revealing the gases and other substances trapped underneath.
Does Radon Have any Health Effects?Yes! Radon is a respiratory irritant and can be potentially very dangerous to your overall health. Many people who are exposed to excessive levels of Radon can experience various forms of respiratory effects or even develop lung cancer. A vast majority of people who have been exposed to Radon do not notice any change in their health until it’s too late.
As mentioned above, Radon outside of the home is not a major concern. But if your home has been found to have a higher concentration of Radon, it is important to consider seeking mitigation or abatement service.
Because high Radon exposure has been linked as being one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States—over 21,000 deaths are reported each year from Radon related illnesses—it is important for you to consider the health effects of Radon exposure and/or poisoning.
How to Get Rid of RadonThere are many options available for you to test your home and begin the mitigation process.
Radon TestingAre you concerned you may have a Radon problem within your home? Consider Radon testing from a professional Radon testing and mitigation company. They are capable of getting results back to you or your business usually within a few days to a little over a week.
Types of Radon TestingThere are two primary ways to conduct short-term Radon testing: continuous Radon monitors (CRMs) and Charcoal tests. Although CRMs are the preferred method, they are both valid ways to determine whether or not your Radon levels are too high. Each form of testing will produce results within 48 hours to 10-14 days depending on the company you choose or whether you do the testing yourself.
Radon MitigationAlthough the mitigation process relies on several different factors depending on the state of your house and the way it is built, there are typically three ways to mitigate Radon: foundation fans and piping, basement or slab-on-grade depressurization or sub-slab suction and piping, or a vapor barrier that will be placed in your crawl space. All of these forms of mitigation are proven to reduce the levels of Radon in your home and create a safe environment for your family or business.
Want More Information?Consider visiting our website: Radon 1 from https://www.radon1.com/where-is-radon-found/ What is Radon?Radon (Rn) is a naturally occurring, highly radioactive, invisible gas that has neither an odor or taste. Radon is produced from the natural decay of differing kinds of rocks and soils. Radon is most commonly found in underground working areas such as mines or caves where the air has very little room to ventilate. When outdoors, Radon dissipates fairly quickly, but inside of a home, it can linger for longer periods of time and become a health hazard if left unattended.
Radon tends to enter residential homes through the holes in the floorboards, rise through a potentially faulty foundation in your garage, get trapped in basements, and can even affect school or office buildings as well. According to a study done by the Surgeon General’s Office, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is posed as a serious health concern.
Radon TestingThe state of Tennessee has some of the highest Radon testing results in the country. With over 50% of homes in Nashville and Knoxville having elevated levels of Radon, it is important to consider having your home tested for hazardous contamination. Radon testing is a quick and unobtrusive process that can be completed within just a few days.
Why Should You Test for Radon?Because Radon is an unnoticeable gas that poses a high health risk, it is important to know whether your home has elevated levels of Radon or not. Many homes in the US, Tennessee especially, have elevated Radon levels without realizing it. However, Radon poisoning can have serious effects on your health. Radon related lung cancer kills over 21,000 people every year in the United States.
The good news is that Radon testing is a rather simple process! Testing your home for Radon is very time efficient and affordable. There are typically two types of Radon testing: short-term testing and long-term testing. Short-term testing is the most common testing done for residential homes. Within a 48 hour – 72 hour period of time, you could have your results back and begin dealing with the problem if an issue is found.
When Should I Test?Testing for Radon is a very important process to consider investing in at least once or twice a year. Radon levels vary depending on the weather and the season, but most commonly rise during seasons with heavy rain and/or snow and ice. Fall and Winter are the more common times of the year to test for Radon, but if you have a concern, you can consider testing your home during any time or season of the year.
Testing twice a year can be a viable source of determining how your Radon levels fluctuate throughout the year. If Spring or Summer do not pose a risk, it may be that during the Fall and Winter seasons your home’s Radon concentration rises. It is important to consider the potential threat Radon poses to you and your family. Remember, over 21,000 deaths are reported every year due to Radon induced lung cancer.
How Does Testing Work?Testing for Radon is a simple process. If you are concerned your house may have a high level of contamination, call a Radon mitigation service and they can come out and test your home in no time.
Types of Radon TestingThere are two short-term testing methods used when measuring Radon levels within your home. These methods are used to track how your home is affected within a short period of time. Some can track hourly Radon levels over the course of a couple days and some track how your home is affected over the course of a week or two.
CRM TestingOne way of short-term testing is through a continuous radon monitor (or a CRM). CRM devices are the preferred method because they can give an hour by hour reading on the Radon levels within your home or business. They work by providing the testing company an accurate pCi/L reading. These readings are taken hourly to track the fluctuations of Radon levels over the course of each day. Results with a CRM are usually available within 48 – 72 hours and are very useful for any potential mitigation needs.
Charcoal TestingThe second short-term testing method is with activated charcoal canisters. The activated charcoal canisters act as a Radon absorbing device. The canister will sit either in your basement, crawl space, or other area where Radon typically likes to rest. Due to the charcoal needing adequate time to absorb Radon gas, testing results for activated charcoal canisters can take anywhere between 10 – 14 days before they are ready.
How to Read Your ResultsRadon is a radioactive gas and is measured by pCi/L (Picocuries per liter) a unit used in measuring radioactive concentrations. A safe Radon concentration has been determined to be around 2.6 pCi/L for your home, but many people have concentrations above the recommended safe level. If your home is found to have a Radon concentration of 4.0 pCi/L or above, an immediate mitigation procedure will be highly recommended.
What to Do Before and During a Radon TestOne of the most important things you can do before and during a Radon test is to keep your doors and windows closed for at least 12 hours before the test begins and during the entire duration of the test. If you are a pet owner or have small children, this may be a challenge for you. But it is important to make sure your house remains sealed in order to receive accurate test results.
Because Radon dissipates when it comes into contact with outside air, if your home has open windows or doors during the duration of the test or after, it may give a reduced, inaccurate reading. Consider testing during a couple week days when you know you may be out of the house for longer periods of time or during a weekend family outing.
Want More Information?Have any questions? Consider visiting our website for more information: Radon 1 from https://www.radon1.com/what-is-radon-testing/ What is Radon?Radon is a naturally occurring, highly radioactive, invisible gas that has neither an odor or taste. Radon is produced from the natural decay of differing kinds of rocks and soils. Radon is most commonly found in underground working areas such as mines or caves where the air has very little room to ventilate. When outdoors, Radon dissipates fairly quickly, but inside of a home, it can linger for longer periods of time and become a health hazard if left unattended. Radon tends to enter residential homes through the holes in the floorboards, rise through a potentially faulty foundation in your garage, get trapped in basements, and can even affect school or office buildings as well. According to a study done by the Surgeon General’s Office, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is posed as a serious health concern.
Radon TestingThe state of Tennessee has some of the highest Radon testing results in the country. With over 50% of homes in Nashville and Knoxville having elevated levels of Radon, it is important to consider having your home tested for hazardous contamination. Radon 1’s testing and abatement is a quick and unobtrusive process that can be completed within a short period of time!
Why Should You Test for Radon?Because Radon is an unnoticeable gas that poses a high health risk, it is important to know whether your home has elevated levels of Radon or not. Many homes in the US, Tennessee especially, have elevated Radon levels without realizing it. However, Radon poisoning can have serious effects on your health. Radon related lung cancer kills over 21,000 people every year in the United States. The good news is that Radon testing and abatement is a rather simple process! Testing your home for Radon is very time efficient and affordable. There are typically two types of Radon testing: short-term testing and long-term testing. Short-term testing is the most common testing done for residential homes. Within a 48 hour – 72 hour period of time, you could have your results back and begin dealing with the problem if an issue is found.
Types of Radon TestingThere are two short-term testing methods used when measuring Radon levels within your home. One way of short-term testing is through a continuous radon monitor (or a CRM). CRM devices are the preferred method because they can give an hour by hour reading on the Radon levels within your home or business. They work by providing the testing company an accurate pCi/L reading. Results with a CRM are usually available within 48 – 72 hours. The second short-term testing method is with activated charcoal canisters. The activated charcoal canisters act as a Radon absorbing device. The canister will sit either in your basement, crawl space, or other area where Radon typically likes to rest. Due to the charcoal needing adequate time to absorb Radon gas, testing results for activated charcoal canisters can take anywhere between 10 – 14 days before they are ready.
Radon AbatementAfter your home has been tested and if the Radon levels read over a certain pCi/L level, the Radon mitigation company you have chosen will offer several options for your Radon abatement needs. The process of Radon abatement or mitigation is focused on lowering the elevated levels of Radon to a safe and inhabitable level.
How to Read Your ResultsRadon is a radioactive gas and is measured by pCi/L (Picocuries per liter) a unit used in measuring radioactive concentrations. A safe Radon concentration has been determined to be around 2.6 pCi/L for your home, but many people have concentrations above the recommended safe level. If your home is found to have a Radon concentration of 4.0pCi/L or above, an immediate abatement procedure will be highly recommended.
How is Radon Abated?If your home has been found to have a high Radon concentration, a member of the company you have hired will guide you through the abatement process and help determine which abatement device and service will be needed for your home. The pricing and devices will vary depending on your home and your need, but the process is very affordable.
Radon Abatement ProcessWhile each process will be a little different depending on the type of foundation your home has, the most common abatement device will be housed on the side of your home. The most common devices include a fan and piping to pull the toxic gas from under your house and release it out into the air to dissipate.
Foundational AbatementIf your home has a slab foundation or a basement, Radon abatement technicians will drill a hole in the foundation and insert a series of pipes to create a suction point. The focus is to create more ventilation for your home to suck out the Radon underneath or in your home. Once Radon is released out into the air, it quickly and naturally reduces in toxicity. If you have a crawl space underneath your home, Radon abatement technicians will lay down a vapor barrier over the ground to create a suction point that will be pipe fed out from under your home. If a series of pipes are needed, they will all be connected to a central pipe that will connect to the fan system installed on the side of your house. These devices are designed to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your home without being overly noticeable or loud. Once the system is installed, a CRM device will also be installed and the Radon mitigation company will track your Radon levels over the next 48 hours to track the concentration and ensure the levels are reducing.
Want More Information?If you have any concerns or any questions, consider visiting our website for more information: Radon 1 from https://www.radon1.com/what-is-radon-abatement/ HIGHEST CERTIFIED RADON MITIGATION SPECIALISTS IN TENNESSEE A radon mitigation system installed by an authorized Nationwide Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) supplier is one of the best ways to repair your radon problem. At Radon 1, we guarantee our radon remediation system will get your common level under the World Well being Organization normal of 2.6 pCi/L. If your own home has elevated levels of radon, a member of the Radon 1 group will come to your home and provide a free consultation and Chattanooga Radon Testing estimate for installing a mitigation system. The type of system we advocate and the pricing will rely upon a variety of elements including the foundation kind, the scale of your home and likewise when it was built. Our staff member will walk you through the very best and most cost-effective solution to lower your radon ranges in accordance with the NRPP standards, as well as reply any questions you've got about radon and the installation. HOW DO YOU MITIGATE RADON? To mitigate radon, we prevent it from entering your house by drawing it from underneath your own home and venting it up via a pipe or series of pipes to above the roof line, where it is quickly diluted in the outdoors air. Our radon mitigation methods do that with a radon mitigation fan that creates a adverse stress area beneath your home that pulls the radon and radon progeny (decay products of radon) into a series of pipes that exit by means of a single pipe above the roof line. Learn Much less How we mitigate your house It depends upon numerous factors, starting with the muse type. The most typical basis types fall in three classes: basement, slab-on-grade (concrete at ground level) and crawl house (normally a shallow, unfinished space between floor and residential). Typically a home may have a combination of foundations, particularly in circumstances of an addition to an older home. Basement and slab-on-grade foundations Our technicians will drill holes in the slab and insert piping in an effort to create a suction point. That is known as subslab depressurization or active subslab suction, and the variety of suction factors needed will depend on how properly the air strikes underneath your slab. In an effort to reduce your radon ranges, we have now to be sure that we're pulling air from beneath the entire house. Vapor Barrier If you have a crawl house below all or a part of your property, we'll lay down vapor barrier over the bottom and insert a network of pipes beneath to the draw the radon out from underneath. For houses with totally different basis types, we'll join the piping in every and run it out by means of a single pipe. To be taught extra about radon mitigation, please visit with EPA’s consumer’s guide to radon discount here. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? Whereas each system can be different, a brand new radon mitigation system will seemingly mean you will have a fan and piping running alongside the surface of your home. A Radon 1 workforce member will design the system to maintain curb attraction to your dwelling while also meeting the NRPP standards for mitigation, and we are going to tell you the place the fan and piping can be before something is drilled into your home. We promise to treat your home as our personal, and will work with you to make the process as straightforward as possible. |
About UsRadon mitigation and radon testing for residential homes and commercial businesses with three service area locations in Nashville, Knoxville, and the Chattanooga area. The highest certifications in TN and the most professional radon company in Tennessee. ArchivesCategories |