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Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas formed from the decay of the radioactive elements thorium and uranium. Because radon gas occurs abundantly, it can form concentrations in buildings where people can breathe it in, increasing the chances of developing lung cancer. In particular, radon gas can concentrate in basements and crawl spaces. If you believe you may have radon in your home or business, you should look for NH radon mitigation companies, or companies in your area, to help you detect and solve the problem. Radon Gas Testing Testing for radon will be the first step. Radon can be found in both air and water; however, water is not usually checked for the presence of radon unless radon is detected in a building’s air at particularly high levels. In some parts of the United States, radon concentrations are so high that water is tested anyway, particularly in wells. If harmful levels of radon are detected in your home or business structures, a second test should be conducted to ensure that the high level of the gas was not simply due to a natural fluctuation. Should the second test bear out the results of the first test, it will be time to do something about the radon problem in the building. Contractor Inspection Next, a radon remediation contractor will inspect your house or other type of structure to determine which is the best radon treatment to use. If you have any information you can supply the contractor about your building’s construction, this will be extremely helpful and may help avoid further diagnostic testing required to identify the best radon reduction method for you. Radon Remediation Methods Different types of houses require different kinds of radon remediation. Some structures are built directly onto concrete slabs, some have basements or crawlspaces, and a few buildings have a combination of both. The techniques to handle radon are broadly divided into two categories: those that prevent the radon gas from coming into the structure, and those that mitigate radon levels after the gas has entered the building. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prefers the type of remedies that stop radon gas from getting inside. Below Ground One method of reducing radon gas before it enters your home or business is called “sub-slab depressurization.” This technique, also known as “active soil depressurization,” utilizes fans and underground pipes placed under the building’s foundation that essentially blow away the radon gas before it can rise into the structure. Sub-slab depressurization does not involve major work to the building itself, and is also effective in buildings with crawl spaces. Above Ground Above the foundation and in basements, a method known as “above-slab air pressure differential barrier technology” is used. This solution requires the sealing of walls and air ducts in the structure as tightly as possible before a blower is used to remove radon from the building’s interior. Sealing up the walls and ducts helps prevent air containing radon from coming into the structure again. Since this involves structural modification work, it is not as popular a method of radon removal as sub-slab depressurization, which is the method preferred by the EPA. Sealing Some people prefer to simply seal any cracks or openings through which the radioactive radon gas is entering the home or business. Although sealing is a basic technique common to most radon remediation programs, the difficulty of identifying and fixing radon entry points, along with the possibility of further radon contamination when new openings occur as the structure settles, makes this a less-effective method of radon treatment. Sealing up openings alone, without any other methods of radon removal, is not recommended by the EPA. Radon in Water Well water presents another challenge to radon reduction. Carbon filtration systems and aeration systems are the two most prevalent techniques for removing radon from well water and making the water safe to drink and use in your home or business. Though radon gas is dangerous to breathe in, the proper treatment can help reduce and eliminate the risks of radon gas intrusion into your home or business. To schedule an inspection to determine if you have a problem with radon that needs to be tackled, look for NH radon mitigation companies to assist you.
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