If you haven’t sought professional help in testing for Radon gas in your home, you may be overlooking an important aspect of your family’s safety. According to the Surgeon General’s Office and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Radon gas causes about 20,000 lung cancer deaths every year. In fact, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. With residential radon testing services, you can ensure that your family stays safe and healthy.

What is Radon Gas?

Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas that comes naturally due to the breakdown of uranium found in water, rock and soil. It gets into the air you breathe but its percentage in the air is usually not dangerous until it is trapped in a building, for example, your home. Radon can be found all over the U.S and people are likely to be exposed to it at home where they spend most of their time. Therefore, getting a radon testing company to do an inspection prior to occupying a home is quite important.

Possible Health Risks of Radon

When breathing, the radon particles can be trapped in the lungs and they release small bursts of energy as they break down. This causes damages to lung tissue and can cause lung cancer. Then again, it is necessary to note that not all people who are exposed to elevated levels of radon will get cancer. The exposure can be worst and risky if you are a smoker. Children are at higher risk of certain cancers than adults when exposed to certain radiation.

Professional Radon Testing

Working with reliable residential radon testing services allows you to the levels of radon in your home. There are certified and EPA-Approved companies that implement the recommended measures of radon abatement. You can get a long-term testing kit that lasts between 90 days to 12 months or let your contractor visit for scheduled tests. Some states maintain a list of contractors that provide the services to make it easier for homeowners to locate the right company.

EPA continues to work with different industries and states to find radon abatement programs that ensure homeowners’ safety. When buying a home or moving to a new home, get the help of residential radon testing services to test the radon levels to ensure the home is safe for occupancy. This way, you are certain to keep your family safe.