How Do I Know If My Home Has Radon? – Understanding The Signs of Radon Poisoning
Did you know that there may be a silent killer making its way throughout your home? While this might sound dramatic, the issue of radon in your home is very hard to detect. Most people have fire detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in their home, but they often forget to check for radon. So, what exactly is this mysterious substance and what are the signs of radon poisoning? Read through our guide below to discover why you should test for radon today.
What Is Radon?
If you are sitting there wondering to yourself, “what is radon,” you are likely not alone. While you have probably heard about carbon monoxide and other dangerous gasses, most people are unaware of the threat radon poses or how it is harmful to them and their indoor air quality. Radon is a radioactive gas that can seep into your home through soil around and under your house. If your home has any cracks, open pipes, or drains, you may be at risk for radon exposure, which can make you very sick. In fact, radon poisoning leads to thousands of deaths each year. There is no need to worry though. With proper testing you can rest easy knowing that your home is radon free.
What Are The Signs Of Radon Exposure?
Radon is so dangerous, because you may not even know that your home is contaminated with it. There are no visible signs of radon poisoning as the gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, it may be best to get your home tested.
- Trouble Breathing: Radon exposure is one of the top causes of lung cancer and leads to tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths each year. If you find it hard to breath or often get bronchitis or pneumonia, you may have radon exposure in your home.
- Chest Pains: Similar to the breathing symptom, you may find that you have frequent chest pains when there is radon in your home.
- Weakened Muscles: If you fine that you have a loss of muscle mass or that easy tasks are becoming increasingly difficult, you should not ignore it. You may also notice weight loss.
How To Test For Radon At Home?
In order to test for Radon, you need to have a specialized device known as a Continuous Radon Monitor or special test kits like Activated Charcoal or Liquid Scintillation devices. You should have a professional service come in to help with the setup of these devices. These kits will need to be exposed to the air for 48 hours for accurate results.
Overall, radon exposure in the home is a very serious issue that should not be taken lightly. Being able to identify the signs of radon poisoning can be quite difficult so it is important to be cautious if you are experiencing symptoms. If you ever have any questions about your indoor air quality or any other HVAC issue in your home, our certified experts are always happy to help! Visit us today for more information.
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