Is Radon an Invisible Guest in YOUR home?

By Paul Shellem, NEHA certified, approved for radon testing, HomeSeal Atlanta, non-seasonal

Radon is like Cholesterol, a little won’t hurt – a lot Kills. Know your numbers.

Per EPA Citizens Guide to Radon, “Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That’s because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has a high concentration radon level, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

You can’t see radon, taste radon, or smell radon. So where does it come from and how do I find it and fix it? Radon is a natural occurring gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium. It is in the soil, rocks and water and can be found just about any where in the United States, including your home. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes. It is inexpensive to have your home tested for radon ($25 to $150.00), and knowing your concentrated radon level could save you and your family’s lives.

Even though the EPA says “no level of radon is safe” they also understand that the average levels outside are around 0.4 pCi/L and suggest that if your home is tested and the results come back at 4 pCi/L or higher you should have your home mitigated. Systems vary in price depending on complexity.

Make sure to do your homework and hire a certified professional contractor that will install the correct mitigation system for your home. The company you choose to perform the test and do the mitigation should be listed on the EPA and NEHA websites. Also ask if they are a member of AARST.

Our motto is; “Your Home. Your Environment….. LET’S PROTECT IT!”

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