Why Homes and Other Buildings Need Radon Testing

Radon is an inert, odorless gas that is nevertheless deadly. Radon is a naturally occurring gas with radioactive properties, and can cause lung cancer. When radon is outdoors, it disperses naturally and does not result in health issues.

You may be wondering how and why radon is deadly to Aspen, CO residents? The answer is that indoors, radon becomes trapped. It enters a building through cracks in the foundation. Think about it like smoke—outside it’s not as noticeable, but inside it can lead to breathing problems. However, radon can be brought under control through proven methods. Read on to find out about the risks of radon and what you can do to mitigate them.

The dangers of radon

Radon is currently the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., behind smoking. About 21,000 people die every year from lung cancer resulting from radon. Those who smoke are even more prone to lung cancer when combined with radon exposure.

Unfortunately, the problem can also be compounded by today’s energy-efficient homes. These are designed to keep the air inside—heat stays inside in the winter, and cold air stays inside in the summer. But if the air circulating through your home contains radon, that’s the opposite of what you want to happen.

How to address radon

For all homeowners, the first step to addressing radon is to test for it. There’s no way to know for certain based on where you live if radon is going to be a problem in your home. You might have high levels of radon, but your next-door neighbors might not.

Luckily, you can have your home tested by professionals or purchase a DIY test kit. If you find that levels of radon in your home are high, you should contact radon professionals to have the problem mitigated. Short-term testing finds radon concentrations over a 24-hour span, but experts recommend testing over a period of several months, as levels of radon can fluctuate.

Radon mitigation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that mitigation should be done if the levels of radon are at or above 148 Bq/m³ (4 pCi/L). In most instances, radon mitigation includes adding an underground ventilation system or increasing the building’s rate of air change. Drilling holes in the foundation and running piping to the outdoors is one popular method.

If you’re wondering, “Should I get a radon test?”, we can help. HealthSafe Inspections Inc. is a locally owned and operated business offering quality services to customers in Aspen, CO and the surrounding cities. With more than two decades of experience in the industry, we strive to maintain the friendly and trustworthy reputation we’ve built over the years.

HealthSafe Inspections Inc. is an indoor environmental consulting firm. Our services include on-site investigation and sampling, report writing, recommendations and post-remediation verification. After an initial consultation, we are able to determine what is needed. We also consult and test for a range of indoor contaminants, such as allergens, asbestos, bacteria, mold and fungus, radon gas and more. Contact us right now to learn more about what we can do for you.

Categorised in: Radon

This post was written by Writer