Radon Gas in Morgantown, WV
Found everywhere on the planet (in varying levels), Radon gas is a radioactive element that is tasteless, colorless, and odorless. Radon gas comes from the uranium in the soil and rises into your home, school, or business through cracks in the buildings foundation. Since Radon is a dense gas, it typically concentrates the most in the lowest floor of a building, but can still be elevated at other levels. For those living in Morgantown WV almost 4 out of 10 homes have dangerous levels of Radon. In fact, West Virginia is the 11th highest state for Radon gas levels.
How Does Radon Enter a Home?
Radon enters a home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Even though it is deadly and everywhere, there is little Radon in the air breathe outside. When Radon enters a home and gets trapped in the basement, this is where the problems can occur. As Radon gas seeps into the home and condenses, you and your loved ones (even pets) are susceptible to inhaling the damaging gas into your lungs. HVAC units in homes can circulate the air from the basement to the rest of the home, taking the Radon with it.
How is Radon Measured?
Madame Curie was notorious for her tests with radioactivity and thus the measurement for Radon is named after her in the form of picocuries per litre of air or pCi/L for short. Radon levels are measured with devices that can quantify the amount of Radon particles in the air of an area. The EPA or Environmental Protection Agency, recommends that any level of 4.0 pCi/L should result in action being taken to the establishment. This level of Radon is equivalent to the amount of radiation in smoking 10 cigarettes every day.
Is Radon Gas Dangerous?
Is Radon gas actually dangerous? Yes. Radon is considered a class A carcinogen by the surgeon general which means that there is no doubt that it causes cancer in humans. Although you may not feel like you family is being impacted, Radon is known as the silent killer due to it not being able to be detected by human senses. This is why it kills over 21,000 people every year compared to carbon monoxide which kills 480. Those who are homeowners in Morgantown West Virginia should take extra precautions to protect their home’s due to the average levels in the county being 6.1 pCi/L. The only way to know if you and your loved ones are at risk is to do a Radon test.
Morgantown Radon Facts
2nd Leading Cause of Lung Cancer
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon induced lung cancer can leave families and individuals wondering what could have caused something they only thought occurred in smokers. A Radon level of 4.0 pCi/L is the same amount of radiation in 10 cigarettes a day or 200 chest X-rays in a year. Radon in Morgantown West Virginia is at 6.1 pCi/L which is over 50% higher than the EPA action level!
Radon Kills 21,000 People in the US Each Year
Radon claims more lives than house fires, asbestos, and Carbon monoxide combined. Radon truly is the silent killer as it not only takes those who do not know about it, but that it cannot be detected without testing for it. Radon testing in Morgantown WV is easy and affordable for families to do and could save a loved ones life.
Radon Levels are Always Changing
Terrain and soil conditions are constantly changing and so are the Radon levels West Virginia homes experience. This means that even though your home is newly built, or you had a Radon test done when you first moved in, does not mean that the levels are still safe. A Radon test should be conducted every two years in West Virginia homes.
You Cannot Detect Radon With Your Senses
The only way you can test for Radon gas is by using a Radon testing device or by using a home test kit. Both measures will get you an idea on if you need to take further action. Regardless of your testing method, it is important to note that Radon cannot be detected with human senses.
Have a question? Do you want to start the Radon removal process? Our team is here ready to help.
