One of the most dangerous chemicals in America could be right under your nose. This isn’t a fear tactic meant to put you on edge — radon gas exposure is on the rise and, without the occasional check-up, you could be breathing it in every time you open your front door. Odorless and colorless, this naturally occurring element is a health hazard affecting thousands of American homes across the country. This is where a sump pump installation contractor comes in.
A single check-up could prevent you and your family from developing the side-effects associated with ongoing radon gas exposure.
The second leading cause of lung cancer, in the United States, is caused by radon gas exposure. Even taking into account the long-term effect to constant smoking and exposure to poor breathing conditions, radon gas continues to take thousands of lives per year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (also known as the US EPA) as well as the Surgeon’s General’s Office has estimated as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are due to radon.
But where does radon gas come from and why do so few people seem to know about it>
This is partially due to radon gas’ natural properties. It is odorless and colorless, making it very difficult to detect without the aid of a sump pump installation contractor or radon abatement service. According to the U.S. EPA, one out of every three homes across seven states and three Indian lands saw amounts of radon exposure well beyond the EPA’s recommended action level. Despite being a naturally occurring element, it is a noted health hazard and should be mitigated as soon as it is spotted.
Lung cancer deaths could be reduced by 4% by lowered radon levels in homes that exceed the EPA’s action level. That’s as many as 5,000 deaths per year.
Radon mitigation services exist to not just spot dangerous amounts of radon gas, but to help mitigate them to safer levels to keep you and your family healthy. A sump pump excavation contractor can set up an appointment to determine the amount of radon gas both in and around your home. Passive systems of mitigation have been proven to drastically reduce indoor radon levels by more than 50%.
A sump pump installation contractor has the necessary tools to identify, source and reduce radon gas exposure. Short-term detectors are able to measure radon levels for just a few days, while long-term tests are able to be done over the course of many months. Whether or not this applies to you and your home depends on the amount and whether or not you live in a high-risk area. A family whose home possesses radon levels beyond the EPA’s recommended level would face the same risk of radiation poisoning if they were standing by a radioactive waste site fence unprotected.
Don’t wait any longer. Reduce your family’s risk of lung cancer this year by seeking out the aid of a radon abatement service and asking them for a check-up.
