We all want to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our families. Let’s examine what radon is and why it’s so dangerous. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that forms naturally when uranium and other radioactive materials break down in soil, rock, and water. When radon is released from the ground, it can seep into homes through cracks in foundation walls, gaps around pipes, and other openings. Radon can accumulate to high levels that pose a serious risk to your health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths per year.
The upper Midwest region of the United States is particularly vulnerable to radon due to its geology. The soil contains an abundance of radium, which breaks down into radon. Additionally, our long, cold winters mean that homes are tightly sealed to keep out the cold, which also traps radon inside. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, about two-thirds of homes in Minnesota have radon levels above the EPA’s recommended action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), and similar rates have been found in neighboring states.
What can you do to protect your home from radon? Test for it. Standard Water will happily provide a free radon test kit and help you interpret the results. If you do have elevated levels we can help with radon mitigation.
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