What are the Symptoms of Radon in Your Home
What is Radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the ground. It's invisible and odorless, so you can't tell if it's in your home without testing for it. If radon levels are high enough, its effects on people living in homes with elevated levels of radon can be serious-even deadly! In this blog post, we will discuss what the symptoms of radon are and how to get tested for them.
1. What is Radon ?
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally as the decay of uranium in rocks and soil. When it escapes from the ground into the air we breathe it in and can be harmful to our health. It's estimated that nearly one out of every 15 homes has elevated levels of radon - which means there could be high levels of this toxic gas in your home. In fact, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers!
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing all homes below the third floor for elevated levels of radon.
2. How to get tested for radon
If you want to test your home for radon, there are several do-it-yourself options available or you can hire a professional. If the results reveal that there are elevated levels of this toxic gas present in your home, it's recommended that you fix them as soon as possible - especially if anyone living with you has been diagnosed with lung cancer or is at high risk for developing it.
3. Symptoms of high levels of radon in your home
So you may be asking what are the symptoms of radon in your home? Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, so it's important to be aware if you have high levels in your home. Some symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing and fatigue. If anyone living with has been diagnosed with these conditions that are unexplained - there could be elevated levels of radon in your home.
4. How to reduce the risk of radon exposure in your home
If you've had your home tested and the results show that there are elevated levels of radon, it's important to fix them as soon as possible. There are several ways to do this:
The most common way is a "passive system". Vent pipe and fans run through the foundation or floor, which pushes the gas up through an exhaust pipe that goes through the roof. The "active system" uses a fan to push up through an exhaust pipe, which is attached to your furnace or water heater flue - this allows you to save money on heating costs because it reduces drafts and improves circulation in rooms.
If you're looking for ways reduce radon gas exposure but are unable to afford to have your home tested or fixed, you can try these low-cost options:
Open windows and doors on the first floor level of your home for at least 20 minutes a day. Keep moisture levels down in bathrooms with showers instead of baths, which reduces humidity that could cause gas to accumulate indoors. Make sure there are no water leaks in your home, which can also increase the amount of moisture in your basement.
Radon exposure is a serious concern that requires swift action to reduce these levels if they are found high in your home - especially if there have been lung cancer diagnosis or treatment for you and/or anyone living with you. If left untreated, radon exposure could cause serious health problems.
Summary:
In conclusion, radon exposure can be serious to our health especially if there are elevated levels of this gas in your home. The symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing and fatigue - which may not seem like much but should still raise an alarm. If anyone living with you has been diagnosed with lung cancer or is at high risk for developing it, you should have your home tested and fixed as soon as possible. There are several ways to do this: the most common way is a "passive system". Vent pipe and fans run through the foundation or floor, which pushes the gas up through an exhaust pipe that goes through the roof. The "active system" uses a fan to push up through an exhaust pipe, which is attached to your furnace or water heater flue - this allows you to save money on heating costs because it reduces drafts and improves circulation in rooms. If you're looking for ways to reduce radon gas exposure but are unable to afford to have your home tested or fixed, you can try these low-cost options: open windows and doors on the first floor level of your home for at least 20 minutes a day. Keep moisture levels down in bathrooms with showers instead of baths, which reduces humidity that could cause gas to accumulate indoors. Make sure there are no water leaks in your home, which can also increase the amount of moisture in your basement. Radon exposure is a serious concern that requires swift action to reduce these levels if they are found high in your home - especially if there have been lung cancer diagnosis or treatment for you and/or anyone living with you. If left untreated, radon exposure could cause serious health problems.
We hope this blog post has given you valuable insight on how to identify the symptoms, reduce your risk for radon exposure and what are some ways you can fix elevated levels of this gas in your home. Remember - it's important not only for our own health but also for those who live with us.
