Radon is colorless, tasteless, odorless radioactive gas formed by the natural breakdown of uranium inside soil, rock, and water. Radon has been found in homes across the United States. Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes have levels over 4 pCi/L. Radon has been found in houses with basements, on a slab, and on crawl spaces. It can vary from house to house in the same neighborhood. Something as simple as adding a porch or pool at your home can increase the amount of radon inside of your home. Radon should be tested for every 2 years because the path it takes may change. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. The US EPA and the Surgeon General estimate that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused by radon. The alpha radiation emitted by radon is the same alpha radiation emitted by other alpha generating radiation sources such as plutonium.
Testing is the only way to find out your home’s radon levels. There are no immediate symptoms that will alert you to the presence of radon. Diversified Home Inspections is licensed by the state of Indiana to test radon levels. If you have elevated levels of radon, it can be mitigated to get your home below safe levels by a mitigation professional.
