Radon is reported to be the second leading cause of lung cancer, after cigarette. Even if you are non-smokers but live in a place with high level of radon gas, you still have higher risk of developing lung cancer. The risk is doubling up if you are smoker playing poker online and living in a place with high level of radon gas. The problem is that radon gas is hard to detect with bare eyes and hands. You cannot smell it either. Only test using proper device will tell you the level of radon gas accumulated in your place.
danger of radon
How to protect your family and yourself from the danger of radon?
Radon naturally occurs when the thorium, radium, and uranium break down in some elements such as water, soil, or rocks. You can get easily exposed to radon by simply breathing it in. It is because radon gas can effortlessly seep in through holes, gaps, and cracks of the building foundations. Basically, it is natural gas coming from earth. It is hard to avoid its exposure especially with its tasteless, colorless, and and odorless characteristics.
danger of radon
You are at higher risk of radon exposure if you spend most of your time inside the building or homes. You still have the risk whether you are smoking or not. When you burn other things inside or outside of your homes such as burning wood, coal, or other substances, radon exposure gets higher. It means, you are at even higher risk of developing lung cancer. It is essential to know how to reduce radon exposure and protect your health and your family’s.
Radon Test
Before panicking, find put whether or not your home is exposed to high level of radon. Therefore, you should perform radon test. There are two different ways you can do to perform the test. You can do it by yourself or hire professional to do it for you. If you choose to do it by yourself, you have to buy the radon test kits. This is a short-term radon test that doesn’t require professional help. It takes only few minutes to perform and the result can be found out within few days.
Radon Test
Meanwhile, you can also perform more thorough radon test by hiring professional. The test can take up more than 90 days to complete. However, the result is more reliable since it is done more thoroughly and relevant. This is also often called as long-term radon test. You cannot do it by yourself because it requires various steps and process that might not be in your expertise.
After finding out the level of the radon gas in your home, you have to take further action to reduce it. There are many things you can do by developing healthy habits such as stop smoking, increasing airflow, sealing cracks and holes with proper materials, learning more about radon resistant construction techniques just in case you are planning to purchase new home.