Radon
Radon
According to the chemical classification, radon is a noble radioactive gas with some of the highest health hazards when present in high levels in the atmosphere. Many households all over the world are often exposed to radon accumulation, particularly since this gas is not detectable in the indoor air. Considered an inert gas, radon is the heaviest of its kind when at room temperature. Below its freezing point, radon becomes a brilliant phosphorescent yellow, whereas if it gets to the liquefaction point the color changes to a red-orange. Present in very small quantities in the atmosphere, radon is definitely harmless.
More dangerous radon concentrations appear in ground waters and in the soil, hence, the risk of indoor air contamination due to the fact that it can accumulate in basements or low-ground house areas is higher. Any cracks in the floor of the basement is a possible house entrance for this gas; unfortunately, one will not be aware of exposure to this toxic element until it is too late sometimes. Radon exposure is responsible for severe cases of lung cancer and death. This is why radon testing is so important for any household; should you need to check your house for possible contamination, you can either turn to home-use kits or to professional radon testing.
It was as late as the mid 80s that the great danger of radon exposure in homes was discovered in the United States. The high radiation levels in the nuclear plant of Limerick Pennsylvania were actually triggered by an astonishing radon presence in the area. Statistics revealed the fact that the exposure to such radon concentration would have equaled the impact of smoking more than 130 cigarettes a day. Since the event received massive publicity, the government set national safety standards required for the detection of house risks. Where else can radon be found and how dangerous can it get?
As surprising as it may sound, you can get exposed to radon by taking a harmless bath in a hot spring. The globe areas with hot-springs rich in radium are not few, and Japan, Germany or the United States occupy top positions here. Even if radon is usually spread in the atmosphere in regions with soils rich in granite, it is not necessarily true that any granite soil will have such emissions. Hence, constant vigilance and a close monitoring of the radon levels in households are a must, since prevention has always been the best way to avoid disaster.
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... coughing, wheezing, heavy breath, infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. Symptoms of radon gas poisoning are very likely to appear only after the condition has become pretty serious, and when cancer is already in the middle if not in the final stage of evolution. Without home testing for radon accumulation, ...
... that this chemical substance is naturally occurring in our environment, resulting from the normal breakdown of uranium within the ground. This explains the radioactive nature of the gas not to mention that it is pretty hard to detect due to the fact that it is both odorless and colorless. Present within ...
... concentration of radon in a certain area, and not even geological studies can be of any help here. This is why, the only way to prevent poisoning is by means of special radon detectors; the use of such devices is an absolute must particularly since two house located next to one another may have completely ...
... the room above it. With the help of an electric fan included in the structure of the pipeline, the random sump prevents the radon-laden air from entering the room, and evacuates it through the pipes towards the exterior. The choice of the radon sump is very important, since it has to perfectly adjust ...
... minimum three-month period. Otherwise, the use of these radon test devices can extend to as long as a year, and only afterwards conclusive results can be provided. Nevertheless, we should mention that many home owners choose to benefit from a combined use of the two types of radon test devices: the short-termed ...