Radon is a gas that occurs naturally and it has dangerous radioactive properties. The gas is produced when thorium, uranium and radium are broken down in soil, water and rock. It then gets released in the air. The dangerous characteristic about radon is that it is tasteless, invisible and odorless. Though it mostly accumulates in mining locations and other such industrial places, it could also be found in residential and commercial building and other such places where people live. Quite a few studies have proven that long term exposure to radon could lead to potentially serious health problems and at times the problems could be life threatening. Hence it is important to find out ways and means for a radon free home.
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How a Person Get Exposed To Radon
A person gets exposed to radon when he or she breathes it in. Apart from factories, mines and other industrial places, high concentration of radon can also be found in schools, other buildings and workplaces. Since most of us spend our time at home and indoors the chances of radon exposure is quite significant. Radon gas can seep through the ground and enter your home. It enters through cracks on the floor and also through the foundation pillars and other such concrete constructions.
Well water can also be a potential source of radon contamination. It is more commonly likely to happen in areas and buildings that are sealed tightly, insulated well and located in areas where the soil contains reasonably high concentration of radium, thorium and uranium. The levels of radon presence or the absence of it can be found only through complex tests that are done by professionals.
Long Term and Short Term Detectors
There are basically two types of tests that are done for finding out radon contamination. They are short term detectors and long term detectors. Long term testing are useful when radon levels have a tendency to fluctuate wildly on a daily basis or a monthly basis. For example electretion chamber detectors are also used for long term testing apart from short term testing purposes. On the whole, both the tests are simple and inexpensive. There may also be some DIY tools available in hardware shops. But it would be better to take professional help to do the job thoroughly.
Symptoms of Radon Exposure
The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing up blood, chest pain when a person laughs or coughs. There are also instances where long term exposure to radon gas could lead to various forms of cancers including lung cancer, cancer of the throat, breast cancer etc. In view of the facts mentioned above it would be better to be proactive rather than being reactive when it comes to checking the levels of radon contamination in domestic and commercial places.
Conclusion
Identifying the presence of radon contamination is extremely vital for the overall health and well-being of the families and community members. It always makes sense to hire the services of experienced and capable Certified Radon Professionals. They have the infrastructure, people and skill-set to do a thorough job and ensure your home or office is safe from radon gas. For more information, please call a Colorado Springs Radon Mitigation.
