As a result of a drainage problem in your neighborhood, water is getting into your basement, and the only viable solution was to install a sump pump in a spare bedroom in the basement. Now that the sump pump has been installed in your home in a Seattle neighborhood, you are concerned that radon is coming through your basement foundation and putting your health at risk.
Radon gas is a naturally occurring compound that is a decay product of radium. Radon comes from soil rocks in the earth and escapes as a gas into your home through a crawl space or foundation cracks. The gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, which makes it difficult to detect. Radon can be found anywhere in the United States, even in Washington State. Radon gas is measured in Picocuries. The EPA suggests safe radon gas levels between 2 to 4 Picocuries; the home requires mitigation at four pCi or higher. A radon fan is installed to remove the harmful gas. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US; about 21,000 Americans die yearly from radon gas.
To ascertain if your home has radon gas, you will need to get it tested. The most common type of test is a rapid radon test lasting 2 to 4 days. A small kit will be placed in the lowest living unit of your home. The kit is equipped with a special charcoal cartridge and requires specific parameters for its setup to obtain the best results. The area where the equipment is placed must be closed from outside air for at least twelve hours before and during the sample collection period. It is best that no one enters and leave the area during the testing, and the kit should not be disturbed. You can continue to live in the home during the test and do things as normal.
Once the sample has been collected, the kit must be examined by a lab technician for the presence and quantity of radon gas; any reading of four and above four picocuries requires remediation by a professional. If you have been exposed to high radon gas levels, it would be best to consult your primary healthcare physician for a personal health examination and medical care.
Radon testing near me
There aren’t many radon gas testing professionals around, but you can usually find one through the Indoor Air Quality Association to find professionals in your area or search online for “radon testing near me.” Your local building department may keep a list of certified professionals in your area; you can also ask your general contractor for a referral to an industrial hygienist. Or contact the professionals at 5 Microns Inc. Our accredited professionals can assist you with radon gas testing and any indoor air quality needs. We service the entire state of Washington. We are open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturday from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Call 425-440-8787 Now! You can also book an appointment online by clicking here: https://5microns.tech/online-appointments/.
