Radon is a naturally occurring decay product of radium. It exists as a gas which is radioactive, odorless, tasteless and colorless. According to health experts, radon is the primary cause of lung cancer among the non-smoking population and according to the Surgeon General of the United States, the second most common cause of lung cancer in the general population. In instances of indoor radon levels above 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends the installation of a radon mitigation system. The first thing to do is contact Radon Reduction in Pittsburgh PA firm to determine what the radon level is in your home.
Because the air pressure inside a building or home is lower than the ground around the foundation, the building acts as a vacuum essentially sucking radon in through cracks in the foundation. The types of devices used by Radon Reduction in Pittsburgh PA companies are categorized as active and passive. Active devices require a source of electricity and detect and record radon levels continuously for a period of time from 91 days up to one year. The type of active device used determines the length of testing time. Passive systems do not require a power source and are available over the shelf. Passive systems are made up of either a charcoal-based collection medium, liquid-charcoal devices or alpha tracking detectors. The monitors are placed in the lowest livable area of the home and remain for two to seven days until the collector is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Radon mitigation systems are the equipment used by Radon Reduction in Pittsburgh PA companies to lower indoor radon levels. Radon mitigation is the process of reducing and preventing radon gas from entering a building and removing radon from the air. Sealing cracks in the building’s foundation and blocking openings around pipes and drains will help reduce the amount of radon entering the building. The EPA preferred radon mitigation method, is accomplished primarily through a ventilation system or soil suction method, that prohibits radon from entering a home by drawing radon from below the foundation and venting through a pipe extending beyond the roof. The foundation type -; slab on grade, crawlspace, or basement, determines the type of mitigation system that will be installed by Radon Reduction in Pittsburgh PA mitigation specialists.
