Friday, 4 October 2013

When In Need Of Radon Testing Des Moines Property Owners Should Hire A Professional

By Rhea Solomon


The radon testing Des Moines property owners need is essential to the safety of those living in the home. Radon is an element that is metallic, and belongs to group eighteen of the periodic table. It is similar to certain inert gases, including krypton, neon, and argon, and is a noble gas. Unlike numerous other elements that are classified this way, however, the aforementioned gases associated with specific health risks. Although the element is advantageous to scientists who wish to predict earthquakes, and it is a good neutron source, it should not be inhaled by people. This is because its effects on human health can be catastrophic.

The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States reports that the second leading cause of lung malignancies is exposure to the aforementioned substance, which places it second only to cigarettes for its carcinogenic affects. Individuals who use products containing tobacco and are exposed to radon as well have an even greater chance of developing such cancers. Due to the fact that the element is naturally found in the air, it is essential for homeowners to test their residences for its presence on a regular basis.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, testing devices are either active or passive. Passive test kits are not powered, but merely take samples of the surrounding air. Such devices include ion chambers and charcoal canisters. Active testing kits are electrical and chart the level of the substance so that a person can see unusual spikes. These devices are a bit more accurate than passive systems.

No testing device is one hundred percent foolproof. For this reason, it is possible to obtain inaccurate radon concentration measurements when using such devices. Test results can also be skewed by opening windows or doors, which can artificially lower the concentration of the gas in the home. In addition, inconsistent readings are sometimes the result of something in the environment in which the device was placed.

Radon testing can take anywhere from 2 days to 3 months. The length of time necessary will depend on the kind of kit the homeowner uses and the size of the area being tested. Overall, long-term tests typically give results that are more accurate than those obtained during short-term tests.

Professionals recommend that those who are in the market for a new home make inquiries concerning when the dwelling was tested last. If the home has never been tested, this action should be taken before the prospective buyer makes an offer. High-traffic rooms, as well as lesser used areas such as attics and unfinished basements, should both be tested.

Any home that shows elevated levels of the gas is a potentially hazardous area in which to live. A professional should be hired to install special venting system to reduce these gas levels if this is the case. Opening windows and sealing foundation cracks are temporary measures one can employ, but long-term solutions must also be sought.

As mentioned earlier, a professional is not required to complete such testing. However, those who avail themselves of an expert to handle the task are typically pleased with the results. This is because the radon testing Des Moines professionals complete is typically affordable and accurate. Such professionals can also recommend appropriate action should radon be found in the home.




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