Lung Cancer Awareness Month: The Invisible Hazard
November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and as such, we feel it necessary to be transparent about one of the household hazards that could be wafting through your home completely undetected, but causing serious long-term health problems.
Radon gas is the product of uranium in the soil around your home breaking down and decaying. It then seeps through cracks and holes in the foundation, and straight into your home. Unfortunately, it’s completely colorless, odorless, and tasteless, but when breathed in, radioactive particles from the gas can become trapped in your lungs, and over time, can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer right behind cigarette smoke inhalation, and the CDC estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 deaths in the US every year.
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter or pCi/L. 1 pCi/L of radon is equivalent to inhaling 2.5 cigarettes every day. While radon levels in the soil vary state by state, and even home by home, the potential for significantly higher levels is elevated in the midwest, with the average levels in Iowa being at 6.1 pCi/L, North Dakota at 6 pCi/L, Wisconsin at 5.7 pCi/L, and Minnesota at 4.6 pCi/L. The CDC recommends taking action against radon at levels of 4 pCi/L or above.
Because this gas is so tricky, the only way it can be detected is through testing, which is non-invasive and inexpensive. There are two primary ways to go about testing your home for Radon. First, head to any home improvement store and pick up a test. Follow the packaging instructions and you’ll soon have the levels of your home. The second option is to schedule your no-hassle FREE estimate and let our trained Design Specialists test your home, delivering results in 48-72 hours.
Once your test returns, your course of action should be dependent on the score. If your levels are above 4 pCi/L, you should highly consider taking action and installing a radon mitigation system in your home. A typical radon mitigation system consists of a large-diameter plastic pipe that connects the air beneath your foundation to the outdoors. An in-line fan sucks radon-rich air from beneath your foundation and expels this hazardous air to the exterior. Instead of entering your basement or other living space area through numerous gaps and cracks in the foundation, radon gas is extracted from beneath your foundation before it can permeate into interior space.
Because of the pertinence of this issue, we’re running a discount until the end of the year. From now until the end of December, take advantage of our $50 off the installation of your radon mitigation system, and be confident and secure that the air you breathe is the healthiest for you and your household.
Radon Mitigation System Post-Install