Americans are becoming more aware of everyday issues that can potentially impact their long-term physical and emotional health. Yoga is becoming more popular for its ability to manage stress, diet changes can be incredibly influential for those struggling with chronic illness and reducing environmental exposure to harmful substances can see impressive change. When it comes to the latter, your own home can be a surprising source of damaging chemical contact and one of the most frequent issues you run into without realizing. Radon, an odorless and colorless gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and an element that could see you and your family struggling in the coming years if not checked.
Is Radon Exposure Common?
While radon is a common element found in many American homes, that doesn’t mean a radon mitigation and abatement service can’t help you and your family out. The U.S. EPA has conducted multiple studies across seven states and three Indian lands, concluding that one in three homes checked in on harmful radon exposure. The EPA’s recommended action level for radon exposure is under 4 pCi/L, though the ideal amount should be as low as physically possible through constant local radon testing and local sump pump excavation.
What Are Side-Effects Of Radon Exposure?
You may already be experiencing side-effects of radon exposure. Some of the most common include wheezing, persistent coughing and chest pain that doesn’t seem to change with allergy medication, asthma medication and diet changes. A radon mitigation and abatement service can help immensely with clearing your home of this harmful gas and creating a safer environment for you and your family to thrive in. Whether or not you need one can be determined by a simple radon testing service.
Can Radon Exposure Cause Cancer?
The most common long-term consequence of unchecked radon exposure is that of lung cancer. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of this debilitating disease in the United States, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (shortened to the EPA) has estimated as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused on a yearly basis by radon. Your risk of lung cancer increases the more you are exposed to radon gas as well as daily habits such as smoking, chewing tobacco or living in a polluted environment.
How Is Radon Removed?
The first step toward removing radon is determining its amount and where it’s coming from. Short-term detectors measure radon levels anywhere from two to 90 days, while long-term tests go beyond 90 days and are usually for areas suspected of a high level of exposure. Studies have shown a family whose home has radon levels beyond the allotted 4 pCi/L are experiencing 35 times as much radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would allow if they were standing near an actual radioactive waste site.
How Does Reducing Radon Keep Me Healthy?
While regular exercise and a good diet are incredibly helpful, there’s nothing stopping you from going the extra mile and reducing your risk for lung cancer and breathing issues. Radon exposure is still a common element in the United States that sees thousands of people dying or being committed to the hospital on a yearly basis, making radon mitigation and abatement services a vital process for the upcoming years. Even passive systems of mitigation have been shown to reduce indoor radon levels by well over 50% — radon ventilation fans, in particular, can reduce these levels even further. With a residential radon testing service on your side, good health is not far away.