What To Do If You Have Radon In Your Basement

What to Do if You Have Radon in Your Basement

Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. It is found in the air and soil, and it can enter homes through cracks in the foundation or basement walls. If you have a basement, it is important to test for radon and take steps to reduce the levels of radon in the air if they are high.

How to Test for Radon

There are two main types of radon tests: short-term tests and long-term tests. Short-term tests are typically used to get a quick estimate of radon levels, while long-term tests provide a more accurate measure of average radon levels over a period of time.

To test for radon, you can purchase a radon test kit from a hardware store or online retailer. The test kit will contain instructions on how to collect a sample of air and send it to a laboratory for analysis.

How to Reduce Radon Levels

If you have high levels of radon in your basement, there are a number of steps you can take to reduce them. These steps include:

Sealing cracks and gaps in the foundation: This will prevent radon from entering the home through cracks in the foundation or basement walls.
Installing a radon mitigation system: This is a system that will remove radon from the air in your basement. There are two main types of radon mitigation systems: active systems and passive systems.
Increasing ventilation: This will help to dilute the radon in the air.

Health Effects of Radon

Radon is a known carcinogen. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking.

Radon exposure can lead to a number of health problems, including:

Lung cancer
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Emphysema

Conclusion

If you have a basement, it is important to test for radon and take steps to reduce the levels of radon in the air if they are high. Radon is a known carcinogen, and it can cause a number of health problems.