What is Radon?
Is Radon a concern in the Cincinnati area?
Radon is a hazardous, naturally occurring gas resulting from the decay of trace amounts of uranium found in the earth's crust. Odorless & invisible, radon has been classified (by the Environmental Protection Agency) as a carcinogen since 1988, and is the 2nd leading cause of cancer among in the U.S, after smoking. Because radon is an unstable gas, it breaks down and dissipates quickly in the open air. Dangerous levels of radon can accumulate inside a house. The soil under and around the house is the largest source of radon gas, but is also present in well water, building materials, public water supplies and outdoor air (see pie chart).
Schedule now to see if your Cincinnati home is in need of a Radon Mitigation System.
How Radon is Measured
Radon gas is invisible, odorless and chemically inert, so it can't be detected without using special detection devices. Fortunately, radon detectors are commonly available throughout the U.S. The most common "passive" radon detectors can be purchased at hardware stores, home centers, and online. These devices are called Radon Test Kits. These are typically placed in the house for 2 to 5 days for adequate exposure. The test kits are then sent to a lab where the radon level can be determined.
For more accurate and immediate test results a LiteHouse Inspect Radon Measurement Professional can provide you radon testing services with calibrated instruments. Our trained professionals will set a Continuous Radon Monitor in an appropriate testing location for 2 days. The monitor takes measurements throughout the testing period which are displayed on the provided Radon Measurment Report.
If you need your house tested to determine the current radon level, a LiteHouse Inspect radon professional can help.
How Does Radon Enter My Home?
Most radon gas comes through the soil, meaning a house with a dirt crawl space has maximum radon exposure potential. However, even houses with a seemingly tight concrete foundation can have high radon levels.
As a radioactive gas, radon can enter a home through cracks in foundation floor and walls, through floor drains, and through sump openings. Radon can also enter a home through holes in the foundation walls for pipes and other utility lines. Radon gas that enters a home through the basement or crawl space has no difficulty moving to the upstairs and into living areas.
Radon gas is present indoors and outdoors. It's all around us all the time. Radon levels are typically higher indoors however, because our homes and buildings pull the gas in from the soil and trap it inside.
The great news is that radon levels can be greatly reduced by hiring a licensed radon mitigation professional to install an affordable radon mitigation system. Permanent systems are usually installed in less than one day and the results are guaranteed. LiteHouse Inspect can assist you in hiring a qualified mitigation professional and even manage the project on your behalf. When the system is installed and running, we can also provide an unbiased test to ensure levels are being lowered appropriately.
Radon Facts:
All homes have some level of Radon
Radon can increase the risk of lung cancer
Radon in homes can be reduced significantly
Avg Cost of Radon Testing $175 - $200
EPA Recommends testing annually (including homes with a radon system)
Radon levels change over time and due to changing weather.
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A Ecosense Continuous Radon Monitor allows you to constantly stay on top of the amount of radon present in your home. Order one today and get 5% off with promo code LITEHOUSE. Popular models for DIY monitoring include: EcoBlu, EcoCube and RadonEye.
