Radon Gas - A Hidden Killer

Radon gas is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas formed from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon gas can exit the ground and seep into your home through any holes or crackes in the foundation (like a sump pit. Once in your home the radon can build up to dangers levels, if not removed in some manner.

Radon gas has been determined to be a carcinagen that can cause lung cancer. In smokers and non-smokers, exposure to high level of the radiocative gas can raise the risk of lung cancer significantly (studies done by the EPA have been performed that determine the risk based on the exposure to different concentrations of radon.)

So how do you determine if you have this hidden killer in your home. Well the only way to find out is to perform radon gas tests.

Testing for Radon Gas

There are two types of testing devices that can be used to detect radon in your home, passive and active.

A passive radon detection device requires no power source and are used by setting them in a room for a certain amount of time and then sending them to a laboratory for analysis. These devices can only measue the average radon levels in a particular room during the testing period.

An active device does require a power source and continuously monitors radon levels. This type of device is normally used by home inspection or air quality professionals and can show spikes in radon concentrations.

Which every device you choose always follow the manufacturers directions if you are perform the radon gas test yourself.

This information was brought to you by http://randomtopics.blogspot.com