Why Radon Education Matters

Radon education

Radon is cancer-causing radioactive gas that has no smell, is invisible to the naked eye and has no taste. It is considered one of the most life-threatening forms since it cannot be detected without proper testing. The Surgeon General and American Lung Association warn that radon gas has been proven the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

So, do you know how healthy your home is?

Radon reaches unsafe levels in an average of 1 in 3 homes in the Kansas City region, across both Kansas and Missouri. The EPA deems levels at or above 4 pCi/L as a health risk. We believe in educating our customers and the community so they can make informed decisions to protect their families.

What exactly is radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas created when uranium in the earth’s rock, soil or water decays. Indoors, it is not naturally occurring, but a result of the way our homes, schools, and workplaces are designed, constructed, and maintained. Radon is one of the most significant environmental health risks that exists today.

If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you’re at higher risk for developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.

How does radon get into my home?

Radon gas seeps into homes and structures from rock and soil beneath the foundation. It can be found in new construction and older homes and buildings. Certain areas of the region and country can produce higher levels based on the composition of the earth’s rock and soil in that area. You cannot detect radon with smell, taste, or sight, but it exists in EVERY home and structure. The only way to determine if radon levels are above the EPA’s Action Level of 4 pCi/L is to conduct a radon test.

How dangerous is radon?

When you breathe in radon gas, particles settle in your lung tissue and begin to decay. As the radon particles decay, they release bursts of energy that damage the lung tissue cells. Over time, the cell damage can lead to the development of lung cancer. Scientists now estimate that between 15,000 – 22,000 deaths caused by lung cancer each year are related to radon in the United States.

How do I get radon out of my house?

By calling us! The most cost-effective and successful method of remediation – or radon removal – is the active depressurization system (ADS). The ADS system draws air from under the slab or from under a radon polyethylene barrier (if there is no slab) and exhausts it to EPA’s standards through PVC pipe and a specially designed in-line fan. The exhaust of these systems can be installed on an outside wall or internally and exhausted through the roof. These systems are virtually maintenance free. A visual indicator is provided, allowing the homeowner to monitor performance.

Schedule an appointment to test your home for radon at 816.587.3500 or fill out the online form here.
Information and stats from the Environmental Protection Agency / EPA and the American Lung Association.

 

 

Travis Siegfried

CEO