The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that over 20,000 people die each year due to radon-related lung cancer. Because radon is colorless and odorless, many people exposed to this gas don’t even know they’re breathing in this hazardous substance. If you don’t know it’s there, how can you possibly avoid it? Thankfully, there is an easy solution to this problem and to decrease the effects of radon exposure in your Atlanta home!
There are several great models of at-home radon detectors in the Atlanta area which you can buy for less than $200 or so. With digital readouts or connections to smartphone apps, you can easily see what your radon levels are in your home. And when you are empowered with this information, you can work with a local radon mitigation specialist to decide on the best course of action for you.
Because it is an invisible gas, it’s easy for radon to seep into your home. Radon is produced by the decay of uranium, which is naturally found in rock and soil. It can move into your home (often in the lower levels like basements or crawl spaces) through foundation cracks or holes, poorly sealed windows, or even through well water. Any and every home is susceptible to radon.
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air, expressed as “pCi/L.” This is the standard unit for radon measures, and anything over 4.0 pCi/L is considered dangerous and must be remediated. However, even levels lower than this (over 2.0 pCi/L for example) can present a health threat.
It’s important to take several readings with a radon detector of your Atlanta home’s radon levels, in different areas, for periods of time up to a week. This will give you more accurate data to present to your local remediation team. Many radon detectors available in the Atlanta area will take daily measures, compiling them into short and long-term readings. This is essential, since radon can fluctuate.
If you want to learn more about radon detection or remediation, reach out to us at Pat Murphy Electric! We’re proud to be the best electricians throughout Atlanta, Knoxville, and Charleston, and we can’t wait to serve you.