If you’ve ever wondered what is radon, you’re not alone. It’s a highly flammable, radioactive gas with the chemical element symbol Rn and atomic number 86. Radon is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. The only thing you can’t smell is radon. This gas can be found in many places, including the air we breathe and the soil around our home.
Three Reasons You Should Have Radon Testing Done in Your Home
Radon can be found naturally in groundwater sources, but its concentrations are usually much higher than those found in surface water. Drinking water containing radon may also be associated with increased risk of stomach cancer, but epidemiological studies haven’t yet proven a link. However, radon released from wells is absorbed into the air and enters the body via inhalation. Thus, the risk of lung cancer associated with radon exposure is much higher for those who smoke than for those who don’t.
There are various mitigation methods available for reducing the radon levels in your home. Typically, a mitigation technique will reduce radon levels to two to four pCi/L in most cases. However, if the level is higher, you’ll need to undergo additional testing or install a ventilation system. However, even if your home has a low-level radon level, it’s worth the effort to reduce radon levels and prevent lung cancer.
Short-term tests are useful for screening and in situations where results are required immediately. Long-term tests, on the other hand, give a more reliable picture of radon levels. Radon levels vary with time, temperature, and season, and a long-term testing device gives a true annual average. Long-term detectors such as Alpha Track have a one-year measurement, which is sufficient for decision making.