The Dangers of Radon Gas

Indoor air quality is a big concern for many homeowners due to seasonal allergies or other respiratory health problems. You may already know that working with a reputable indoor air quality company like  Royal Class Service  can put you on the offensive with common air contaminants, but our state-certified radon mitigation contractors can also help protect your family from the dangers of  radon gas.

As radon is a colorless and odorless gas, it’s practically impossible to determine if levels are high in your home without the proper equipment. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Royal Class Service to learn more about radon gas and to schedule an appointment.

Many of the symptoms that come with extended radon exposure are in line with those for lung cancer, and often surface after the gas has been a problem for a long time. While these signs may point to radon gas exposure, it’s best not to wait until these symptoms show before you hire a professional to test your home’s radon levels.  Early symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Coughing up blood
• Persistent cough
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia
• Hoarse voice

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in the United States. When radon gas enters the body, it exposes the lungs to radiation. According to experts, small quantities of radon gas are harmless. With prolonged exposure to increased radon levels in your home or workplace, your chances of getting lung cancer increases significantly. Increased quantities of radon damage the cells that make up the lining of the lungs. The best way to reduce your risk is to limit your exposure to the radioactive gas, and, of course, to stop smoking as soon as possible.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, and while there’s no single method that can eliminate radon in your home, there are several ways that a licensed radon mitigation contractor can try to decrease levels. Call Royal Class Service today to schedule a test!

Some of the methods we employ to remove radon from your indoor air include:

• Increasing indoor air circulation and natural ventilation –  This is a temporary solution that may affect other home comforts such as security concerns, loss of conditioned air, or increased utility costs.
• Sub-slab depressurization –  Effective for basement and slab-on-grade homes, this soil suction option is a common and reliable method for removing radon.
• House/room pressurization –  Using a fan to create enough pressure at the lowest level of the home to prevent radon from entering the space, this technique is limited by the construction of the building as well as the ability to steadily maintain the necessary pressure by keeping all windows and doors in the space closed at all times.
• Sealing openings in the foundation –  Closing up cracks can limit the flow of radon into your home from the earth below while also making other reduction techniques more effective.
• Installing a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), also known as an air-to-air heat exchanger –  This option is effective when used to ventilate only the basement, and can improve air quality inside the home but not without a significant increase in utility costs.

Choosing to have your home tested for radon levels is most beneficial when it is proactive rather than reactive. Knowing the levels of radon inside your home is the first step in being able to decrease them and to minimize the risks associated with prolonged exposure.

To learn more about the dangers of radon gas and how to reduce the levels in your home,  contact  Royal Class Service right away at  (845) 569-1299  to schedule an appointment.