Radon Inspection
Radon levels change over time.
“Radon is the number 1 cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers.”
In the air, radon breaks down into tiny radioactive elements (radon progeny) that can lodge in the lining of the lungs, where they can give off radiation. This radiation can damage lung cells and eventually lead to lung cancer.
As with most contaminants, the danger of radon arises from high levels or prolonged exposure over time. This is why continuous monitoring is key to understanding your risk.
That’s why it’s so important to measure continuously, to ensure your levels stay low.
The amount of radon emitted from the ground and the amount that actually enters our home can change due to the following reasons:
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Humidity
- Ventilation
- Building Insulation
- Your Homes Foundation
- Snowfall
- Ice
- Rain
- Earthquakes
Radon sampling: radon will not be distributed evenly around a room.
Imagine adding a dash of cream to a cup of black coffee but not stirring it. If you then take multiple samples from a small spot of that coffee for the level of cream, you would get very different readings over time as the cream slowly blends in with the coffee. Radon sampling works in the same way.
As a result, Airthings radon sensors give a short-term sample reading as well as an average long-term reading. This is why we recommend allowing your radon detector to measure for at least 30 days so that the monitor can obtain enough air samples to provide a reliable long-term average.
Radon is an invisible gas formed in the Earth’s crust. It surrounds every one of us as part of the air we breathe.
High levels over long periods of time are the issue. By monitoring radon long-term, you can be alerted when levels are high and make small changes to improve the air you breathe.
