Radon Gas Exposure in New Homes - Have you heard of radon gas? This odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that enters homes through the foundation is considered the “silent killer” for two reasons. First, you cannot detect it without testing for it. Second, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States (and the leading cause in non-smokers). In fact, it accounts for over 21,000 deaths each year.
Many think that high radon levels are only present in older homes, but radon levels can be high in new homes, too!
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium in the ground. It enters a home through construction joints and cracks or pores in the foundation. Even if there are no cracks in a newer home’s foundation, new houses are still built on soil that likely contains uranium, and the cement in the foundation will always have pores that can let radon in. It doesn’t matter the age of the home, radon can always be present inside because it is based on how much uranium is directly beneath your home.
There are a few things that you can do to protect yourself from radon gas exposure. First, if you are building a home, consider installing a radon system before the foundation is poured. This can drastically reduce the amount of radon that enters your home. If your home’s foundation has already been poured, don’t! A mitigation system can still be installed and will be just as effective as one that is installed before the foundation was poured.
If you are concerned about the house you currently live in, or if you are interested in buying a home, the first step to protect yourself is to perform a radon test. Testing a home for radon can be done quickly and is free—just fill out the form on this page to request a test! If the home tests high, a radon mitigation system can usually be installed within 2–5 hours to reduce your radon levels.
Questions? Call us at 801-871-0715 to learn more.
Why Test for Radon - Radon is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that is released when naturally occurring uranium in soil decays. Not only is it radioactive, but 1 in 3 homes in Utah have high levels indoors. Radon accounts for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year and is the leading cause of lung […]
Home has a Radon Problem? - If you have heard of radon gas and the potential health risks that exposure may present, you may be wondering how to know if your home has high radon levels. Rest assured, we’re here to break down what radon is, what the risks of radon exposure are, and how […]
Radon is a radioactive gas that enters your home through cracks and pores in the foundation as uranium decays underground. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, which means it requires specialized testing to protect your family. Side Effects of Radon Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United […]
