Why Protecting Against Radon Is More Important Than Ever Right Now!
As headlines on the news flashed of an emerging illness beginning to plague a faraway nation, we went about our business thinking this is “just another flu” and it won’t impact us. Unfortunately, it has. This crisis may have already impacted your health or the health of your friends and family. It may have affected your pocketbook and flipped your daily routine upside down. This pandemic has already left an indelible mark on our lives.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring naturally as the decay product of radium. The surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Even though you cannot see, smell or taste radon it may be a problem in your home. It forms naturally from the decay of the radioactive elements uranium, which is found at different levels in soil and rock throughout the world. Radon gas in the soil and rock can move into the air and groundwater and surface water. Radon is present outdoors and indoors. It is morally found at very low levels in outdoor air and in drinking water from rivers and lakes. It can be found at higher levels in the air in houses and other buildings, as well as in water from underground sources, such as well water. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you're at an even higher risk of developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.
IS RADON TESTING AND MITIGATION ESSENTIAL?
Yes, Radon testing and mitigation services are essential because radon gas causes lung cancer. People confined to homes during this time could be exposed to greater amounts of radon gas. Amidst shutdowns, shelter-in-place, and quarantines, many have asked us if radon services are considered essential businesses. The immediate response is yes because preventing exposure to radon is essential to minimizing lung cancer risk! What is the official response? As this situation has evolved, we have been watching and reading the ordinances that are being placed in our markets as well as others. As with everything during this time, things change day-by-day. Currently and what we are expecting in perpetuity through all of this, is that radon testing and mitigation services in our markets are considered “essential businesses.” We have received confirmation from multiple state and county attorney offices. We believe that radon professionals are more essential than ever before because so many people are confined to their homes that may have indoor air quality problems including elevated radon levels.
Explanation of the 5 Danger Levels of Indoor Air Quality
Danger Level 5: Dangerous Gasses
these gasses are radon and carbon monoxide. Both are odorless, tasteless, invisible gasses with a potentially deadly impact on your family. High levels of exposure can kill humans very quickly. We recommend that every homeowner have a carbon monoxide detector installed. The best option is a detector that measures high levels and lowe levels (non-UL listed detector). UL Listed detectors only alarm if the CO levels are above 70 parts per million. That is a very high level. Non-UL listed CO detectors will measure down to 5 parts per million. Consult with us or your radon company to learn what the best option is for your home.
Danger Level 4: Microbial Growth
Micro-organisms are mold and fungal spores that float around in the home and can cause serious health effects. Mold is the most commonly searched indoor air quality issue, so we realize how important this issue is to our clients. Naturally, occurring mold is everywhere, but when mold is in abundance in areas it should be, it can reach toxic levels and become a health hazard. Most elevated levels of mold are due to two things, inadequate ventilation in unfinished areas of the home and moisture. Beyond that your HVAC system, when it is running, is a natural breeding ground for these microbes. In your furnace, there is an A/C coil that is constantly sweating and creating moisture that ends up standing in what's called your drain pan. This standing water in a damp dark environment turns into what can be called a "high school science project". When the blower kicks on it picks up these spores and viruses and blows them into the ductwork and ultimately into your home for your family to inhale. High humidity in a home can create ideal living conditions for these microscopic organisms to live. A radon system will impact the overall humidity of a basement indirectly under the slab or membrane. That is an added benefit o a radon system, but in most cases, a radon system is not enough to create a large impact on reducing humidity and thus, mold potential. Standing water or water vapor that seeps in under your foundation can also be a breeding ground for mold growth. Allergies can also be the direct result of exposure to invisible mold spores the Mayo Clinch has stated that nine out of ten sinus infections are caused by mol instead of bacterial infections, which means that antibiotics are completely useless against them. If you are suffering from any of these health issues or are just Palin concerned about the healthiness of your family's living environment, a simple mold test is always a good idea.
Danger Level 3: Allergens and Particulates
These air pollutants can be major factors for people as they deal with the breathing issue. For millions of Americans, "allergy season" never ends. Colder temperatures that eliminate the problems of grass and tree pollens also drive people indoors where they meet troublesome dust mites, animal dander, and mold spores. Most indoor environments trap airborne allergens where they can pose a risk to respiratory health. Many people with allergy rhinitis also can be at risk of developing allergic asthma. Symptoms to with for are persistent cough or wheezing. asthma attacks and allergy symptoms can be triggered by indoor air participation (and outside particulates too). The outside air migrates indoors through open doors, windows, and natural air intrusion. When these contaminants enter they combine with dust mites., pet dander, smoke, and the other four dangers levels to create an unhealthy living environment.
Danger Level 2: Infectious Illness:
Colds, the flu, bacteria, germs, and viruses are airborne illnesses or microorganisms. These germs, viruses, and bacteria are naturally carried in by animals and family members from the outside. Once in the house, they became airborne and get sucked into the air distribution system and are redistributed over and over. Particles in the air act as transportation for these germs. it's very obvious to people how germs spread in a home when you discuss how illness travels from one person to another. Kids are especially susceptible to the spreading of illnesses because their immune systems are not as strong as adults
Danger Level 1: Toxic Compounds (internal and Exterior)
Chemicals, off-gassing, odors, and pollutants come from carpets, paints, stains, furniture, and much more. When these items are new they can produce toxic chemicals that you breathe for several years. Not to mention that homes are being constructed tighter which traps these toxic chemicals in our homes. It is no wonder childhood asthma has increased by 600% in the last 30 years! we indeed have 750,000 new asthma cases per year due to poor indoor air quality. Newly built homes and buildings very commonly have high toxic compound levels. it can take up to seven years for a home's VOC levels naturally fall into safe levels. external toxic compounds are also very serious. What we are referring to here are pesticides and herbicides that we put on our grass and fields. Those compounds build up in our soil and off-gas into our homes.
The best way to combat these different levels of dangerous air quality is to install both a radon mitigation system, as well as a basementaire dehumidification system. These two systems working in conjunction with one another will protect you from any radon that is in your home or that is trying to enter, but they will also help you safeguard your home and the health of your loved ones from the underlying causes that expedite the process of radon.
The experts at Dale Giraudin’s Basement Systems of New York can help you learn more about what to expect before, during and after your new radon mitigation and basementaire dehumidification system are installed with a free consultation and estimate. Since 1994, Dale Giraudin’s Basement Systems of New York has been the company to call for waterproofing basements in the Hudson Valley, fixing wet and moldy basements, as well as crawl spaces. As a locally owned and operated company, we are able to design a custom, warrantied waterproofing system for your basement and provide you with the personalized service you deserve. Find out more about basement waterproofing by making an appointment for a free estimate or call 1-800-719-9240.
