What Is Radon & What Are the Health Risks?
Radon is a gaseous radioactive element that is a extremely toxic, colorless gas. It is derived from the radioactive decay of radium. There are no immediate symptoms from exposure to radon. According to the EPA, radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, 2,900 of those deaths occured in people who have never smoked. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer, although radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked to radon exposure. There is no evidence that other respetory diseases, such as asthma, are caused by radon exposure. There is no evidence that children are at any greater risk of Radon induced lung cancer than adults are. Missoula & surrounding counties are listed as having "elevated radon levels." In 2005, the Surgeon General issued a national health advisory on radon.
The EPA recommends homes be remediated if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, the EPA also recommends that homeowners consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L .
What Process Does Ges Use for Radon Mitigation?
GES installs radon mitigation systems in 1 of 2 ways: If you have a basement: by drilling a bore hole through the concrete slab, excavating the underlying soil, backfilling with washed rock & connecting a 4" scheduled 40 PVC pipe to direct radon gases safely outside the structure. If you have a crawlspace GES installs a 10 mil Vaporblock sealed membrane over entire substrate. Membrane will be sealed to footing using 2 part fire-rated polyurethane foam as a permanent seal to prevent radon gases & excess humidity. GES will install a 147 CFM in line fan & piping to exhaust radon out of the crawlspace if necessary, which directs the radon gases safely outside the structure. This process prevents the dangerous radon gases from entering the living areas of your home
