What is Radon?

You may be wondering what radon is, and how it affects you and your family. Sunstate Radon Testing is frequently asked what radon is, and that is why we will explain radon in a bit more detail so that you can understand radon and how our services fit in with it. We offer radon services and have qualified people who run tests for you as well. Call us today to find out more about radon and then our services.

What is radon?

In this section, we will explain what radon is and how it can affect you. Radon is best explained as a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that comes from nature and originates from the breakdown of uranium that is found in rock or soil. Radon is invisible and it is odorless. It also has no taste. All of this makes it difficult to detect radon without specialized testing. Radon can leak into buildings and homes through gaps and cracks, and when this happens, radon can accumulate to high levels which can be harmful. Exposure to radon that is prolonged can lead to high levels of radon and this can increase the risk of lung cancer.

Health risks

So, you have already read that radon is harmful to our health, and this is because when radon decays, it produces radioactive particles. These particles can be inhaled. Inhalation of these radon particles will damage the lungs. Research has found that radon inhalation can lead to lung cancer which can be fatal. Smokers who are exposed to radon are also at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Some research has been done, and it shows that there may be a possible link between radon exposure and the development of neurological diseases such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's.

Symptoms of radon exposure

If a person has been exposed to radon for a prolonged period, they may develop lung cancer. This may cause symptoms such as a cough, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, coughing up bloody mucus, and shortness of breath. Unfortunately, there may not be any symptoms until lung cancer is at a late stage. Also, some of the symptoms may just be shrugged off as flu or cold, but if you suspect that a person has been exposed to radon, they need to get medical help as soon as possible. You will also need to get your home tested for radon urgently so that no one else is affected.

If radon is found in your home

If you suspect high levels of radon in your home, you will need to get professionals to come and run tests. If the test finds that there are high levels of radon, they will discuss mitigation with you to prevent radon from entering your home. It is important that testing is done, as radon does affect your health and the health of your loved ones. Call Sunstate Radon Testing today to find out more about radon and how you can protect your loved ones.