Learn how to create a healthy environment in this first of many blog articles by Knight West.
How to Create a Healthy Environment, Step 1: Radon Gas is an Issue
Radon has been getting a lot of attention lately. Most homeowners don’t know what radon is, how it affects their health, or how they come in contact with it.
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in almost all soils, and in every part of the country. It moves up through the ground into the air above. If that air happens to be in your house the radon is trapped inside your home. Radon from ground soil is the main source, but it can enter through well water and a small number of building materials.
Radon can be found in old houses, new houses, houses with, or without a basement. It can also be found in schools and workplaces.
Radon Gets in Through:
- Cracks in Solid Floors.
- Construction Joints.
- Cracks in Walls
- Gaps in Suspended Floors
- Gaps around Service Pipes.
- Cavities inside Walls
- The Water Supply
You are probably asking yourself why radon is an issue. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the Untied States. Not everybody exposed to radon will get Lung cancer. The amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years, but scientists are more certain about radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances. Your chances of getting cancer from radon depend mostly on:
- How much radon is in your home
- The amount of time you spend in your home
- Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked
How do you know if you are at risk? You can’t see, smell, or taste radon, but testing for it is very easy, inexpensive, and should only take a few minutes of your time. There are two ways to test; short-term test and a long-term test. You should start with a short term test. If the result is 4 pCi/L or higher you should take a follow up test with either another short term test or a long term test. Once you have a follow up test, if it is over 4 pCi/L you need to correct the problem. For more information on testing for and correcting radon problems, visit www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html
The threat of lung cancer from radon is completely preventable. Knight West Homes takes preventative measures. A passive radon gas venting system is installed on every house they build. A vapor barrier is used below the cement floor that prevents the gas from entering the house. The gas is then vented through a pipe that is installed through the floor and vapor barrier. The cost of a passive radon venting system is very low and much lower when you install it during construction. Offering a healthier living environment for families is high on the Knight West Homes priority list.