Many people are unaware to the potential for cancer causing radon gas inside their houses. In some cases, people are skeptical and don’t believe an unseen gas could cause cancer.Lets put a few facts on the table. You can make up your own mind.
Radon is clear odorless gas that is the natural byproduct from the decay of uranium. Uranium occurs naturally in most rock and soil. Radioactive radon gas is being created all around us all the time. Much of the natural background radiation we are exposed to each day is from this naturally occurring material. The low levels of this radiation is not harmful to us. In most areas, the levels of naturally occurring radiation is below the amount of radiation we can receive from a dentist’s x-ray. In low doses, the radiation from radon gas is harmless.
Radon becomes a problem when we are exposed to it at high levels over a long period of time. Radon gas must be inhaled to cause injury. Cell damage can be caused by inhaled radon gas. Cancer may be the result of this constant repetitive damage of the lungs cells. This link between Radon and Cancer, was first observed in underground mines.
Without a doubt, radon induced lung cancer is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon gas exposure in implicated in over 20,000 deaths each year. Mixing cigarette smoke with radon gas increases the risk of lung cancer dramatically.
Radon can enter our homes through cracks in our house foundations, walls, floors, radon contaminated water and building materials. A tightly sealed home with good insulation and poor insulation, can inadvertently cause the accumulation and build up of radon gas.
Fortunately, correcting a radon problem is reasonably simple and low cost. The first step is to purchase a self administered radon test kit These kits are placed in strategic places in your home and collect samples for 2 to 90 days. They are then sent to a test lab in a prepaid envelope.
If your home is determined to be contaminated, one of several methods can be employed to prevent the incursion of radon gas or the removal of the radon gas. New homes are often built with radon barriers below their floors and around the foundations. The most common method of mitigation in existing homes is radon sump ventilation . The cost of professionally installed radon ventilation equipment on average cost between £600 and £1200.
Radon is a known cause of lung cancer. Every home owner should be concerned but shouldn’t panic about the problem. There is no immediate danger, only danger from long term exposure. Check with your local municipality and find out if there is a known radon problem in your area. Purchase a low cost test kit and get a definitive answer. If you suspect a radon problem, consult with a radon mitigation specialist in your area and determine what the correct method for correcting the problem is.
Radon gas is so dangerous and decimates indoor air quality. So does toxic mold. Both can lead to lots of health problems as time goes on.