The Environmental Protection Agency has chosen January as Radon Action Month. Every year an estimated 21,000 people die of lung cancer a year in the U.S. from Radon. There is a 7-8 times greater risk for smokers. The average indoor level in the U.S. is 1.3 pCi/L and 1 out of 15 homes in the U.S. are high.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Air pressure inside your home is usually lower than pressure in the soil around your home’s foundation. Because of the difference in pressure, your home acts like a vacuum, drawing radon in through the cracks and other openings of the foundation. This is considered the stack effect which is temperature-induced pressure differentials. This means hot air rises and will make its way out through the top of the house. Make-up air is drawn in from under the bottom level of the home and with that make-up air, radon enters the home.

During the winter months is a very good time to test your home for radon. Homes stay closed tightly to hold heat inside of the home. The snow and frost act as a cap for the soil, which extends the negative pressure field. This will make it easier for radon to be pulled into the home causing the levels to be elevated.

Any radon exposure has some risk of causing lung cancer. The lower the level in your home, the lower your risk of lung cancer. Certified IAQ Professionals has the newest testing equipment which allows us to provide you instant results at pickup for radon testing. We are NRPP and AARST Certified Technicians.