Radon is a radioactive, odorless, tasteless, colorless, Class A carcinogen gas. It comes from the natural decay of radium in the soil and can enter buildings through cracks or even penetrate concrete. If inhaled, radon particles can change DNA in the lungs. Through the course of years, radon exposure can dramatically increase your risk of cancer. More than one-third of all buildings in northern Illinois have elevated radon levels of more than 4.0 Pci/L, the level at which the EPA urges you to take action and mitigate the radon. The Environmental Protection Agency states that living with this level of radon is about equivalent to smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day.
The EPA’s suggested action level is 4.0 Pci/L which means any building with levels above 4.0 Pci/L should have a mitigation system. This is the level used for real estate transactions as well. Although 4.0 PcI/L is the action level, no level of radon is safe. The World Health Organization uses 2.7 Pci/L as its action level. Achieving levels below 1.0 Pci/L can be challenging with a radon mitigation system however levels below 2.7 Pci/L are often achieved. The typical outdoor radon levels you might experience in northern Illinois while out of your home range between 0.5-2.0Pci/L. The most common in-home radon levels are about 10 Pci/L and less while levels around 25 Pci/l are considered very high and levels above 50 are very rare. There are many factors that influence radon levels however a general rule of thumb is that radon levels typically (not always) cut in half for each floor above the lowest level. For instance, if a radon test indicates a basement's levels are 10 Pci/L, the first floor above would likely have levels close to 5.0 Pci/L and the third floor would have levels around 2.5 Pci/L. It is important to have your home checked every two years as radon levels change dramatically from season to season. Radium deposits under your home may possibly be on the verge of its last decay step and could send high levels of radon into your home. Radon mitigation systems also reduce humidity! On some occasions, people have had them installed to reduce the common musty basement smell.
Northern Illinois Radon Remedies can install after closing in a real estate transaction. Regulations as well as personal/company ethics ensure that I follow through with my proposal promise to reduce radon levels below 4.0 Pci/L so the buyer risks very little and can rest assured N.I.R.R. will reduce their levels guaranteed. Call today for your free estimate and see how I can make your home a safer place for you and your family.
