Home air-quality testing can help prevent radon exposure

Radon levels are high in many communities in the First State.

Lawson Home Services reminds property owners that January is National Radon Action Month. The campaign’s objectives are to raise public awareness on the dangers of radon exposure and encourage radon testing in homes followed by taking action to fix the problem.

Like carbon monoxide, radon cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. Radon may be present in a home at a harmful level. About 21,000 Americans every year lose their lives to lung cancer, with radon being the main culprit among non-smokers in the country. The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Surgeon General’s Office urge everyone to create mitigation plans to protect their health by continuously monitoring indoor air quality.

The air everyone breathes contains microscopic radioactive particles produced by radon that can damage lungs. These particles generate tiny energy bursts as they degrade. Throughout a person’s lifetime, this can lead to lung cancer, especially in smokers and ex-smokers.

Today, indoor air quality has become a hot topic. More people are working from home or home schooling, creating added concerns about the air they breathe. As a carcinogen, radon is a major health concern that can easily be addressed. Government health agencies advise that all homes, schools and other facilities be tested for radon to safeguard occupant health. Exposure to radon is preventable.

The first step to understanding risk is to test one’s home.Test kits can be purchased at home improvement stores, online retailers, county health offices or local radon companies. Professional testing by a licensed radon specialist is encouraged.

The radon experts at Lawson Home Services can help determine if a building’s radon levels are above the EPA’s recommended maximum of 4.0 pCi/L, and if so, can install an aesthetically pleasing and affordable radon mitigation system.

It has been proven by health authorities that a standard radon mitigation system can help reduce radon levels immediately after installation, and create a healthier indoor living environment for homeowners and their loved ones.

For more information, contact Lawson Home Services at 302-204-0711 or info@lawsonhs.com, or go to lawsonhs.com.