What is radon?

According the EPA ,Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.  It is a gas that decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small  bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime.

Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. The release of this radioactive gas enters the air you breathe, causing a potential health risk to you and your family. Radon gas can be found in just about anywhere. It can get into any type of building — homes, offices, and schools — and build up to high levels.

Radon can enter your home through cracks in floors, walls or ceilings, construction joints, or the water supply, as well as through gaps around service pipes and in suspended floors. You cannot see, smell, or taste radon, but it could be a major problem in your home.

By breathing radon-containing air, you increase your risk of lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. For more information, view the EPA publication “A Citizens Guide to Radon“. You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to find out about your home’s radon level. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend radon gas testing for all homes.

How does radon enter your home?

Radon breaks down into a gas from Uranium which is found in almost all soils. The gas is able to travel through the soil and into your home through cracks in the foundation, expansion joints or gaps in the foundation, gaps or voids in the subfloor, contaminated water, and even granite counter tops.  The radon gets trapped in the house and many factors can determine its concentration levels.

Radon Risk If You Smoke

Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

Radon Risk If You’ve Never Smoked

Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

Radon in Las Vegas

What now?

Radon does not have to be scary. Give us a call and let us test your home or business for radon. We test for radon in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Lake Las Vegas, Laughlin, Mt. Charleston, Pahrump, Mesquite, Sandy Valley, and Searchlight, Nevada.  If the tests are above 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends a second test be performed.  Two tests above 4 pCi/L and the EPA recommends having a radon mitigation system installed in your home. Here is a standard radon mitigation system.

What you should know about radon.

Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas.
You cannot see radon and you cannot smell it or taste it, but it may be a problem in your home. This is because when you breathe air-containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. For more information, view the EPA publication “A Citizens Guide to Radon“.

You should test for radon.
Testing is the only way to find out about your home’s radon level. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend radon gas testing for all homes.

You can fix a radon problem.
If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

If you are buying a home.

EPA recommends that you obtain the radon level in the home you are considering buying. An EPA publication “The Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide” is a very detailed and informative resource on radon. EPA also recommends that you use a certified or state licensed radon tester to perform the test. If elevated levels are found, it is recommended that these levels be reduced. In most cases, a professional can accomplish this at reasonable cost.

How can Red Rock Home Inspections & testing help?

SHORT-TERM RADON TEST

Red Rock Home Inspections offers radon testing for Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Lake Las Vegas, Laughlin, Mt. Charleston, Pahrump, Mesquite, Sandy Valley, and Searchlight neighboring NV counties using state-of-the-arCorentium Pro monitors. In fact, they have been engineered to be the MOST sensitive, reliable, and accurate monitors. These high-tech units use sophisticated technology that eliminates the high or low bias of most passive type measuring devices – the kind you purchase at the hardware store, home center, etc. The monitor will take hourly readings of Barometric pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. The hourly readings and tamper deterrents eliminate false accusations of human interference that can easily occur with other test devices. The test can run from a minimum of 48 hours up to 7 days. The detailed report is emailed to you normally within 24 hours after the data is retrieved.