Radon Inspections in New York

November 6, 2017 Guest User

The effects and prevalence of Radon in New York

Radon cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. The only way you will be able to know what level radon are in your house is by having your place checked. With the serious effects radon can have on your health, it is best to check as soon as possible.

What are Radon Inspections and How Are they Performed?

Although Radon tests can be relatively inexpensive and can be done yourself, getting an expert to do the testing will give you a more accurate result. The tests generally involve a long term to a short term tests. Short term tests can take from 48 hours to 90 days to get a quick picture of your current radon levels. The longer term tests help you know your year-round radon exposure and is more accurate and precise.

The types of tests alter. For instance, charcoal tests absorb the gas so you can mail it to a radon testing lab. An Alpha-track, which works similarly to the charcoal, collects alpha-particles so you can send it to a lab. Then there is the Radon Tester, which you can plug into the wall, and it will sound off an alarm when the levels get too high.

Dangers of Radon

Since Radon is an odorless and colorless gas, you would have no clue how much of it you are exposed to until you get it tested. Any levels of radon above 2 pCi/L is considered a significant health hazard.

This is mainly due to the fact that there is a clear link between radon inhalation, and lung cancer risk. Just a small rate of 4 pCi/L makes you at 5 times more likely to dying from lung cancer than from a car crash. This is exasperated if you are a smoker. According to the EPA:

“For smokers the risk of lung cancer is significant due to the synergistic effects of radon and smoking. For this population about 62 people in a 1,000 will die of lung-cancer, compared to 7.3 people in a 1,000 for never smokers.”

The higher the amount of radon in the house, the larger the chances of getting lung cancer through exposure. According to the WHO, radon accounts for about 15% of all cases of lung cancer worldwide. In other words, about 15,000 cases of lung cancer every year.

The Prevalence of Radon in New York

The level of radon in homes in New York varies depending on location. Northern New York, such as Essex and Franklin, have really low levels on average, while most southern counties, like Seneca, have average levels that surpass 4 pCi/L, which can negatively impact health in the whole region.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that generally gets into houses through cracks in the foundation. If one lives in southern New York, it is vital for them to get their homes tested. The higher the exposure of radon, the higher the risk for lung cancer.

WHY HIRE A RADON INSPECTOR?

For more accurate, professional and reliable results!