The 4-1-1 on Radon & Your Home

January is National Radon Action Month, so we are doing our part here at Burgess Inspections, Inc. by helping our customers understand what radon is and why testing is important. As you consider getting a radon test, allow our team to answer a few common questions.

What is radon?

Radon is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas that is radioactive. It’s caused by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water that is then emitted into the air. Radon gas can be found throughout the United States.

What are the health risks?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, next to smoking. It’s incredibly harmful to your health and can affect about anyone exposed to increased radon levels, especially over a long period of time. Your best bet is to avoid high radon levels.

How do I know if radon levels are high?

To find out whether a property (either residential or commercial) has high radon levels, you have to do a radon test. You can get a free test kit from a variety of sources, or you can pay a professional to do it for you. If you’re purchasing a home, you’ll likely need to get a professional radon test in addition to your home inspection since you don’t yet own the property and you need an official report if you plan to ask the seller for any remediations.

Can I lower radon levels?

If your current or future home is found to have high radon levels (over 4.0 pCi/L), you can do something about it. Radon mitigation systems are quite effective at minimizing levels and keeping you and your family safe. Our team can put you in contact with local Chesterfield or Henrico County mitigation professionals.

Find out More

Do you have additional questions about radon testing? To join Burgess Inspections, Inc in taking action, contact our team today at (844) 804-9219 to set up a radon inspection in the greater Richmond, VA, area.

Sources:

www.epa.gov

Photo credit:

Greg Robson via wikimedia.org