You may only have a vague recollection from your high school chemistry class that radon is a gas on the periodic table of elements. This gas can have a significant impact on your health and is more common than you might think. You and your loved ones could be exposed to radon and not know it without testing your home. Learning about radon in the home is an important first step in understanding the dangers and the need for regular radon testing.
Radon is Undetectable With Human Senses
Radon is a clear and odorless gas, so you cannot detect radon in your home through your own observations. Do-it-yourself radon tests may not provide you with reliable or accurate results. A professional radon test is necessary to accurately detect this gas.
There Are No Immediate Health Symptoms
Exposure to radon gas can have serious health consequences, however, symptoms will not appear for many years. Exposure to radon does not cause sneezing, a skin rash, or any other immediate symptoms. It is possible to breathe this gas for years or even decades without being aware of it.
Facts About Radon in the Home Include That it is a Known Carcinogen
The primary danger associated with exposure to radon in the home is the risk of developing lung cancer. Radon gas is a recognized carcinogen and is directly responsible for over 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. For many people who have been exposed to radon, the first indicator is a diagnosis of lung cancer.
Radon Can Easily Enter Your Home
Radon is a byproduct of the natural degradation of radioactive uranium underground. When it drifts upward through the soil, it rises and can enter your home via tiny crevices, around pipe entry points, cracks in the foundation, and damaged window and door seals. Radon gas accumulates over time to dangerous levels as it becomes trapped in the enclosed environment of the home.
Learning the facts about radon in the home is the first step in addressing this potential issue. Confirmation of the gas in your home is possible only through professional testing. No level of exposure to this gas is safe, so schedule a radon test to determine if remediation is necessary.
On Point Home Inspections provides radon testing and other inspection services in Colorado including Boulder County, Fort Collins, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.