Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. However, do you know that you can get lung cancer even when you are a non-smoker? You can get it if you are exposed to radon for a long time. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. The first step towards reducing exposure to radon is through radon home testing.

How Does Radon Get into Your Home?

Radon is an inert, naturally occurring radioactive gas. It enters your house through cracks, construction joints, and holes in the foundation. The gas can also find its way into your house through wires and pumps. Since this poisonous gas is colorless and odorless, it can only be detected through testing.

The levels of radon in your home depend on soil and rock characteristics in your neighborhood. While radon levels are low in some states, they are elevated in others. If you spend most of your time on basement floors, you have a greater risk of exposure.

Why Is Radon Home Inspection Essential?

Because you can't smell or see radon gas, regular testing is essential. It is the only way to know whether your house has elevated radon levels. If you breathe this gas for a long time, it can cause lung cancer.

When radon gets in the air, it breaks down to form tiny radioactive elements known as radon progeny. These elements get trapped in the lining of your lungs, giving off radiation. With time, this radiation damages the lungs, leading to lung cancer.

The risk of lung cancer doubles if you are a smoker. If your children have lived in a radon-contaminated environment for a long, they also have a higher risk of developing childhood leukemia. If you care for your family's health, you need to consider radon home inspection. It is the surest way of finding out how much radon is in your house and install a radon mitigation system.

You can perform radon home testing in two main ways:

• Buying a radon test kit and testing your home yourself
• Hiring a licensed radon home inspection professional

You can acquire a radon test kit for only a few dollars and test your house, especially after changing your house's foundation, cooling, or heating systems. If you don't know how to do it, you can always engage a professional.

The Bottom Line

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. So, regular radon home testing is vital as it helps you know how much radon is in your home. When considering a radon home inspection, it's advisable to engage a professional.