You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but that doesn't mean that it may be there and may still be a problem in your home or business. When you breathe radon containing air you increase your risk of developing lung cancer according to the U.S. Surgeon General. The USSG has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today, second only to smoking and if you smoke in a home with high radon your risk of developing lung cancer multiples.
If you are buying a new property the U.S. EPA recommends that you test that property so you know the indoor radon levels to help make an informed decision and plan a course of action for mitigation. If the home has a radon reduction system, ask the seller for information about the system and maintenance records. And if the house has not been tested, hire a trusted home radon inspector to help.
Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated and unsafe radon level. Unfortunately for us in Northeast Ohio we live in a geographic area that is a prime hotspot for the invisible, scentless, poisonous gas.
Radon is an active problem in NE Ohio, but where does it come from? Radon come from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Over time as the uranium breaks down it off-gasses and those gases rise to the surface of the earth through natural processes. This means any home, but especially those with basement or crawlspaces are especially susceptible to the radon gas entering the home and you and your family or coworkers lungs. Radon can also enter a home through well water, and tests are available to check a homes water supply.
In short order yes, radon testing is necessary, however don't rely solely on radon levels from your neighbor or friend down the street. The levels of radon in a home can literally vary from home to home, so the only way to know for sure if the air you're breathing is safe is to call Home Inspectors Akron for radon testing at home.
Contact Home Inspectors Akron today to schedule your home or business Radon test!