The Clean Air Act Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Radon Testing’

I’ve Got Radon! What Do I Do?

Monday, September 16th, 2019

Whatever you do, don’t panic! Consumers buy homes all the time that end up having radon problems. If the story ended there, it would be all over the news and we’d have a catastrophe on our hands. The reality is that there are many solutions to this kind of problem in your home, and with proper testing and mitigation, you can be as radon-free as any other home in your neighborhood. Have you stopped panicking yet?

In this post, we’ll be going over some of the basics of radon. We’ll be discussing what it is, where it comes from, what we do to test for it, and most importantly, what to do if you find yourself with a bad radon problem. Dealing with radon gas isn’t as bad as you might think, but it’s not a walk in the park either. So, stay vigilant and take a few notes if you have to, and remember to call the professionals for radon mitigation in Portland, OR.

Let’s get right to it.

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When Should My Home Be Tested for Radon?

Monday, August 19th, 2019

Do you live on the fourth floor of a building? No? Then you might want to pay attention. Radon is the number-one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the EPA, which is reason enough to be up to date on your radon testing. But how your home is built and how the radon mitigation is installed is what really dictates how susceptible you and your family are to the harmful effects of radon. Whether you just moved, your living patterns have changed, or you haven’t had a radon test in recent memory, it is always good to be vigilant and schedule a test as soon as possible.

The EPA is exact about both the detriment radon can have on your health and the circumstances in which you should run a radon test. Not only that, but when these tests show results, it can be a little terrifying. That’s why it is so important for you to be informed about radon testing and mitigation in Portland, OR, so you can decide what’s safest for you and your family.

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All About Radon Testing and Mitigation

Monday, February 18th, 2019

radon-testingHeating and air conditioning is one half of HVAC. The other half is ventilation and indoor air quality. Simply controlling the temperature of the air is not enough to give you a complete portrait of home comfort.

Normally, you would fix your air quality issues by installing humidity controllers or air purifiers. These devices directly improve your comfort by balancing moisture in the air and by removing germs.

However, there is a very serious part of indoor air quality that often goes understated: radon exposure. If your home has unsafe levels of radon, you’ll want to have it addressed immediately.

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3 Reasons to Have Your Home Radon Tested

Monday, August 10th, 2015

Household nuisances come in all shapes and sizes: anything from leaky rooftops to dents and dings in your ductwork. But few of them are as hard to spot, or can cause the most potential damage, as radon. It’s a gas created by the breakdown of uranium in the soil: naturally occurring, but dangerous nonetheless. Here in Portland, OR, qualified professionals can test for radon in your home and help mitigate it if they find it. Here are 3 reasons to have your home radon tested today.

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Does Your Home Need to be Tested for Radon?

Friday, December 19th, 2014

Safety is the number one priority in your home, but you may accidentally skip over some of the key services that help protect your family and your home from dangerous toxins. Unfortunately, the air in your home may not be as clean as you think it is. Radon is a gas that seeps into your home even if you believe your air is well-protected from contaminants. And the consequences can be deadly: according to the U.S. surgeon general’s office, radon poisoning is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

But My Home Is Very Well-Sealed

You may believe that your home is well-filtered or sealed up tightly enough to inhibit such gases from invading your home. However, radon infiltrates your home in ways that you may not expect. It can enter through the soil surrounding a home, because it generally appears as uranium decays, which happens naturally in soils over time. While the home’s building material itself may sometimes contribute to allowing radon gas to enter, it’s more often due to cracks in the walls or floors or even, in some cases, the water supply.

Won’t I Notice Radon Gas in the Home?

You may believe that you would notice a gaseous intruder in your home. But radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Simply put, it’s time to stop making excuses and test your home for the potential presence of radon today. Experts are already equipped with the tools and expertise for the job, and know what to do to correct any areas in which leaking occurs.

If your home is found to contain high levels of radon, experts can help you to determine the source and mitigate the problem as soon as possible. At Clean Air Act, we’ll perform a thorough test, take the steps to find poorly sealed areas of the structure, and recommend services to help keep your home safe in the future. Don’t neglect this vital service for your health and safety. Schedule radon testing in Portland with our skilled technicians and get peace of mind that your family is safe from harm.

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What Is Radon and Why Is It Dangerous?

Wednesday, October 30th, 2013

“Radon” is one of the scariest words a homeowner (or business owner) can hear. This substance is one of the great boogeymen of public health in the United States—but unlike childhood boogeymen, radon is real, as is its danger.

But most people don’t know what radon actually is, or what sort of health hazards it poses that make it so urgent to get radon testing done. It’s a long subject, but in this post we will try to get to the heart of the problem so you’ll understand why radon testing in Portland, OR is something you shouldn’t delay.

Radon is a chemical element (Rn). It occurs as a product of the decay of uranium and thorium, which first produce radium, and then radon. Radon is gaseous, colorless, odorless… and radioactive.

Radon decays as well, and the product of this isn’t gaseous, but solids that can adhere to most surfaces. These “radon daughters” are the main danger that radon presents, since if humans inhale these particles, they will stick to the inside airways of lungs. The radioactivity of these radon daughter particles increases the chances of lung cancer. According to the EPA, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarettes and accounts for approximately 20,000 cancer-related deaths each year. Radon is responsible for the majority of the public’s exposure to radiation.

How does this apply specifically to housing? In 1985, an accident led to the discovery of large concentrations of radon inside many U.S. homes. At least some level of radon is present in every home: it usually enters the lower levels of a house, such as the basement, from the ground, infiltrating through cracks, the water supply, and gaps around service pipes.

You almost certainly have some levels of radon in your home, but don’t panic yet. The concentration might be low enough to pose little danger. However, you need to be certain—and radon can enter the best-sealed homes or those without have basements. Professional radon testers can detect if you have a potentially dangerous radon concentration, and then devise a mitigation solution that will give you improved air quality… and peace of mind.

You can’t see, smell, or taste radon, and so you might shrug off the possibility of it lurking around your house. Please don’t make such a potentially hazardous assumption. Contact Clean Air Act and our radon detection and mitigation specialists. We offer complete testing and abatement service to protect you and your family from one of the only true “boogeymen” you’ll find hidden in your home. Contact us today for radon testing in Portland, OR.

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Benefits of Radon Testing in Portland

Friday, October 4th, 2013

Radon is a radioactive gas, which appears whenever there are significant quantities of uranium in the soil or water. It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. (behind only cigarettes): it gets caught in your lungs when you breathe it in, damaging the tissue and resulting in long term health problems. Radon testing is a comparatively simple process designed to determine the levels of radon in your home and whether they constitute a danger. The benefits of radon testing in Portland and other Oregon cities are obvious – to alert you to any danger to you or other members of your household – but a little more information can help you understand the particulars betters.

Radon can get into you house through any kind of crack or crevice, such as a fracture in the floor or walls, or a gap to allow plumbing or electricity in. It can also get in through crawlspaces, and can infiltrate your water supply as well (especially if you get your water from a well). If radon is in the water, it can get into the air once it passes through a faucet.

You can’t predict when or where radon will get into your home. It has nothing to do with your home’s location or the proximity to hazardous sites. The only way to spot it is with testing, which a qualified professional can perform safely and efficiently. You should always have a test performer before buying or selling a home. It’s also a good idea to have it tested before having a baby, bringing a new pet into the home or before undertaking any large home improvement projects.

A good Portland, OR radon testing technician will perform both short-term and long-term tests, then discuss your options with you when he test comes back. In the case of high radon levels, you should first re-test to confirm, then discuss adding radon resistant features in your home, such as sealing or plastic sheeting. Radon testing in Portland can be performed by Clean Air Act. Our Portland radon testing technicians are dedicated to the highest quality of service, so give us a call today.

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How Do I Know if I Have a Radon Problem?

Monday, August 27th, 2012

Radon is a gas that is invisible, odorless, and radioactive.  Thus it is important to know if you have a radon problem.  The experts at Clean Air Act Inc. in Portland can help you understand exactly what radon is and how to determine if you have a radon problem.

While naturally occurring, radon usually comes from the breakdown of uranium which happens in soil.  It is also frequently found in areas where granite is present in the soil.  It can be transferred into a building through foundation cracks or even via the water supply.  Once it enters a building it gets trapped and can cause health problems as it is continually breathed in and out.

Some of the main symptoms of radon exposure include repeated respiratory infections, chest pain along with shortness of breath, and a sever cough.  Ultimately radon exposure leads to lung cancer because it is breathed in.  While there are some symptoms associated with radon exposure, it can be hard to truly know whether or not these symptoms are in fact a result of radon exposure, or if they are due to some other environmental problem.

Radon in and of itself is impossible to detect without the proper testing equipment.  The only proof positive way to know if you have a radon problem is to have your building professionally tested for radon.  During the radon testing process, if radon is found, the source of the radon will be identified so that it can be addressed during the radon mitigation process.

There are some home-methods of testing for radon which includes a charcoal canister, an ion detector, and an alpha track detector.  However, these must still be sealed up and sent to a lab for analysis.  Additionally, use of these is not considered completely accurate and it is best to work with a professional when radon testing is concerned so that a complete and thorough analysis can be made.

We are specialists in understanding radon and dealing with it properly, so call Clean Air Act Inc. if you need radon testing and mitigation in the Portland area!

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