With radon being one of the leading causes of lung cancer today, I would like to express the importance of having your home tested from time to time. For those of you who do not know what radon is, let me explain. It is a naturally occurring gas that is released from soil. Because it is a radioactive carcinogen gas, it can be dangerous if it gets into your home. Being a gas, radon can move into any air space, such as basements and permeate throughout the house.
Radon is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, so it must be taken seriously. The question is, how do you protect yourself from radon gas?
Fine Line Homes installs a “passive” radon system in every home. This system is installed prior to pouring the concrete slab of the basement floor. Perforated pipes are placed within the gravel under the concrete floor, and a solid pipe extends up through the roof to discharge above the roof.
Installation of this system will not reduce the radon levels in every home. Some may have to install a fan in order to convert this to a more active system. Once again, it is very important that a home is tested for radon. The initial radon test runs for 48 hours. If the average radon level during that time is above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, a longer test needs to be performed.
January is National Radon Month, making it a good time to appreciate the seriousness of this issue.
