If you’re a homeowner or are involved in the real estate or building industries in any way, you’ve probably heard of radon. But do you know how radon and radon mitigation in Des Moines, IA affect air quality? For many people, their knowledge of this gas doesn’t go beyond the fact that it can pose a threat.
So, what exactly is this threat, and what can you do about it? Here’s the scoop on radon and how it affects air quality.
Definition
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment. When radium, uranium or thorium break down in the earth’s soils, rocks and water, they produce radon. The odorless and tasteless gas is then released into the air.
Location
While radon exists at some level nearly everywhere, it can accumulate where ventilation is not adequate and rise to higher levels. Such places include underground mines and basements. It is most likely in areas where there are a lot of boulders in the ground.
Danger
Long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon poses a health hazard. It puts humans at risk of lung cancer. The airborne particles that have been generated by radioactive decay enter the lungs, where they decay further. They produce radiation that damages the body and causes lung cancer. In fact, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Levels
How can you know if your property has dangerously high levels of radon? Without proper testing, you can’t. Radon levels of 4 pCi/L or more are considered unacceptable. These high levels should be lowered with proper mitigation methods to bring them into the safe zone. But first, they must be discovered.
Testing
Radon testing is a fairly simple procedure for property owners to complete. Simply contact your local experts in radon mitigation in Des Moines, IA for assistance. The technician will bring a device to place in your home for two or three days. During that time, you need to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible. After the allotted time, the technician will return, remove the device and complete the proper testing to deliver your results.
Mitigation
If it turns out that your radon levels are higher than 4 pCi/L, radon mitigation in Des Moines, IA is recommended. A vent pipe and fan system are a common solution. The pipe pulls radon from below your house and vents it to the exterior, effectively reducing the level inside your home. Additional steps that can help reduce radon include sealing any cracks in the foundation and creating a gas-permeable layer under your slab or flooring.
Improve Your Air Quality
Seven out of 10 homes in Iowa are estimated to have dangerous levels of radon. Contact the experts at Sir Build-A-Lot for professional radon testing and radon mitigation in Des Moines, IA. We take thorough radon measurements of your home, and then we mitigate it to the EPA recommended level of 4.0 or lower. Reach out to us today to improve your air quality tomorrow.