Protect Your Family From Radon Gas
It's a good idea to get a radon toronto test done now that winter is here and you and your family will be
spending more time inside. When you close up your house for the winter, you're also trapping harmful
radon gas inside. Radon gas exposure is thought to be the cause of mortality in over 20,000 people each
year. Since the EPA considers Iowa to be a high-risk state in terms of radon exposure, they advise that
every Iowa home be tested for the gas.
Radon is a gas
A naturally occurring gas that has no odour or colour is known as radon. Soil and rock emit it because of
uranium's disintegration in the Earth's crust. In 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency designated
radon a carcinogen. Nonsmokers in the United States are most at risk for developing cancer because of
it. Radiation that collects within a home can be dangerous; although radon dissipates rapidly outside.
Radon testing
Testing for radon can be done in a variety of ways, from a simple 48-hour test to a more involved
continuous monitor. Local hardware stores have short-term radon tests that you can use in your home.
There are long-term radon test kits that remain in your house for 90 days or more for a more in-depth
radon test. These will provide you with a more accurate picture of the radon levels in your house. In
homes with radon levels of 4 picouries per litre (pCi/L) or above, the EPA suggests radon mitigation as a
precaution.
In what ways does radon get into my house?
Everywhere you look, you'll see radon. Soil beneath and around the residence is a common entry point
for methane gas. Almost 70% of the time, earth is the source of radon in homes with dirt crawl spaces;
this is a significant risk factor. Well water can also contain high levels of radon. Then, when people take
showers or baths, or run the water for other purposes, radon gas might enter the house. Additionally,
radon can enter a home through cracks in the floor or wall, through floor drains and sump openings, and
through holes constructed for utility lines or pipes. Building materials, public water systems, and the
outside air can all carry radon into dwellings.
How Do I Remove Radon?
With radon, the "stack effect" is frequently a source of contention. It's called the stack effect because
warm air naturally rises and escapes from the top of a home through leaks. Negative pressure (suction)
is created as a result of the exiting air, and this air is drawn into your living space. The stack effect is
usually countered by sealing leaks and sending radon-laden air outside, where it diffuses harmlessly into
the atmosphere. Most mitigation approaches combine these two methods. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) generally suggests mitigation procedures that remove radon gas from the soil
before it reaches your home.. Fan-driven suction can be used on any type of foundation, from slabs to
crawl spaces and even basements.
Protect Your Family From Radon Gas
Uranium decay releases radon gas, an odourless and colourless gas. At low concentrations, radon is
harmless; at high concentrations, however, this radiation can be extremely harmful. The most common
cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second most common in smokers is radon gas exposure.
Radon testing and, if necessary, mitigation can help you keep your home and family safe from this
hidden danger.
Preliminary Radon Measurement
Detection of radon is a simple procedure. Radon gas is collected from your home using a charcoal
canister over the period of around 48 hours. All doors and windows must be closed during the testing
period for the most accurate readings. The canister is delivered to a lab to measure the accumulated
radon concentration at the end of the testing period. This is it. Self-administered kits are easily
accessible, however for the best results, consider having your test administered by a professional.
Getting accurate readings for your radon tests is critical since they will serve as the foundation for any
future action (either no action because levels appear safe or an expensive radon mitigation). As a result,
you'll be in a better position to determine the best course of action.
Mitigation of Radon
If your radon test shows harmful levels, you need to fix the problem immediately. Contact your local
radon reduction expert: They'll be able to help you design and install the best solution for your home.
There are a variety of options to choose from depending on the construction of your home. Sub-slab
depressurization and sub-membrane depressurization are the most common (for homes with
crawlspaces).
Depressurization of the subslab involves drilling a small hole in the foundation slab and excavating a
small chamber below. Afterwards, a pump is attached to the hole, and the radon (and any other organic
impurities) is vacuumed out of the earth. The radon in these gases is expelled into the atmosphere.
Because a slab is not present in the crawlspace, a membrane is placed over the floor to catch radon
during sub-membrane depressurization. In a similar manner, the gas is extracted and evacuated to the
outer world.
Due to the fact that no two homes are the same, radon mitigation is not something that should be
attempted by the untrained DIYer. From identifying the source of radon contamination to installing a
complete seal, only trained specialists are equipped to handle this task.
New Construction That Is Radon Resistant
You should consider radon resistant construction if you reside in an area with a known radon risk and
are building a new home. By taking these preventative measures, radon will never be able to enter your
home, thereby preventing the onset of the problem altogether! Because your home isn't being
retrofitted, the system can be both more efficient and less intrusive than if it were used in mitigation. As
an example, radon gas can be fully expelled from a building by installing vent stacks within the structure.
Consider whether radon-resistant new construction is required for your home and discuss this with your
contractor.
Without a radon test, your home is at risk just like it is without working smoke detectors. To ensure that
you and your family are secure from radon gas, use a reputable radon mitigation company. It's possible
to locate an experienced technician in your area through organisations like the American Association of
Radon Specialists and Technologists (AARST) or the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).