Radon is a naturally occuring gas that has radioactive properties. It is formed by a step in radioactive decay chains turning it to lead. Radon is a gas, is easily inhaled, and is a significant contaminant affecting indoor air quality worldwide. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It also causes respritory and other ailments. Radon does not always come from the ground, but sometimes from the materials used to build homes, such as cement mined somewhere other than the your area. Read more about radon and its production process here.
Many people are not aware that radon quite potentially exists within their home or office structures. And if it’s not in your structure, it could very well be in your neighbor’s structure, which is too close for comfort. Being informed is your first step to ensuring that you and your family avoid the risks associated with radon. Some states “regulate” or “qualify” radon measurement and mitigation services by requiring registration, certification, or licensing; some issue identification cards. (1) The state of Florida does have certain such requirements in place. There is no one area that is not affected by radon in Florida; while some areas are higher than others, it is suggested that all homes be tested for radon.
“The average national indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L. (What is a picocurie?) The average indoor radon levels of Monroe County Florida, as determined by radon test results from Air Chek, Inc, is 1.1 pCi/L.” (2) Being average or just below average is not acceptable in this situation. Furthermore, approximately 4% of homes in Monroe County are testing at 4pci. We need to test our structures, watch for related symptoms and demand remediation where possible. You can also help yourself by choosing a contractor that builds homes with radon resistent building techniques. A national listing can be found here. You can and should have your home tested. This is a reasonably priced test that could help mitigate and eliminate the risks to you and your family. Also be sure to ask contractors about their practices related to radon mitigation prior to hiring them to build a home for you.
We cannot tell you all there is to know about radon and its effects on people, but we do want our readers to understand how important this silent and deadly chemical can be to you and your family. We want to point out how prevalent radon is worldwide and make you aware that there are not only helpful resources for understanding further but also means by which to mitigate the damage and avoid building or buying a home with radon symptoms.
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