National Radon Defense Articles

Radon Awareness: An Opportunity to Save Lives

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:04:02 -0500

The popularity of TV crime dramas like “Law and Order” and “CSI” is easy to understand. With each episode, we get to see how detectives, investigators and prosecuting attorneys (the good guys) battle to defeat a wide variety of criminals, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way.

What homeowners may not realize is that they also have the opportunity to save lives –right in their own homes. To do so, it’s necessary to complete some forensic work that’s just as scientific as the tests performed in a CSI episode. By having your house tested for radon, you can unmask a silent, invisible killer responsible for some 21,000 deaths a year in the U.S.

Radon gas emanates naturally from the uranium in soil and rock, and is present everywhere on earth. The gas is odorless, invisible and radioactive; it’s this last quality that poses a serious cancer threat. Exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

Although radon concentrations vary due to geological variation, the risks associated with radon exposure are severe enough to make radon testing crucial no matter where you live. Homeowners can perform their own radon tests using inexpensive test kits available from hardware stores, home centers and online sources. Alternatively, it’s possible to contact a licensed radon mitigation contractor and have the contractor perform the test.

If high “actionable” concentrations of radon are identified in your home, don’t worry. This killer is easy to disarm. An experienced radon abatement contractor can install an abatement system that will exhaust radon gas harmlessly into the atmosphere outside your house.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month. With winter temperatures gripping many parts of the country, this is a time when windows and doors remained closed, allowing radon concentrations to rise. If you or your neighbors haven’t tested your house for radon, now is a good time. Don’t let this lethal gas claim another casualty.

If you don't know what your home's radon level is call a radon mitigation contractor in your area for a radon test. If your home tests high for radon they will be will be able to install an abatement system that exhausts radon gas harmlessly into the atmosphere away from your house.

Why is Radon Testing Important?

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:52:02 -0500

Radon is a dangerous gas that could be lurking in your home without your knowledge. It has been blamed for 20,000 yearly deaths from lung cancer, and is currently the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. How can you be sure that your family isn’t at risk? A professional radon testing can tell you if the radon levels in your home are dangerous.

Radon gas forms as the result of uranium decaying in soil. The radioactive gas is released from the soil and travels upward into the air. Radon becomes harmful when it travels through a house and becomes trapped inside. The gas builds up and can become a carcinogen if it is not removed. The leading radon mitigation methods that can be used are best left to professional radon mitigation contractors.

Radon is measured by picocuries per liter (pCi/L), and the Department of Environmental Protection recommends mitigating any building with a radon measurement at or above 4.0 pCi/L. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, around 80 percent of American homes have not been tested for radon. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, so the only way to know if it’s in your home is by performing a radon test.

Although there are do-it-yourself home radon test kits available on the market today, they are not the most accurate. This is referred to as the passive form of radon testing. They can provide affordable results but it also takes time to get them, as the homeowner must mail the detector back to the lab and wait to hear back. Organizations have been working to improve the reliability of testing devices and several states have conducted studies to test the reliability of devices in an effort to form a national consensus standard. Generally it is more accurate and more efficient to have a professional radon contractor perform the radon test in your home.

The EPA recommends hiring a qualified professional radon contractor to test for radon in the event that you are buying or selling a home. In many cases, this is even required during a real estate transaction. A Continuous Radon Monitor test is the most precise short-term radon test available today and it only takes about 48 hours to get a reading.

According to Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News, the primary entry sites for radon are below-grade cracks or openings in the building, including wall and floor joints, cracks in walls and floors, loose-fitting pipe penetrations, and sump pump openings. Radon measurements should be taken in the lowest livable area of a house, such as the basement. It is recommended that all windows and doors remain closed for 12 hours before the test and as much as possible during the test. Aside from passive radon testing, there is active radon testing. Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News writes that active testing requires a professional sampling team with specialized equipment to visit the house. If initial radon measurements are above the limit of 4 pCi/L, follow-up measurements should be made in at least two lived-in areas of the house.

If you require radon testing in your home, contact your local National Radon Defense contractor. NRD dealers go through extensive training and certification to perform professional radon testing and mitigation across the country.

What is Radon?

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:50:19 -0500

What would you do if you knew there was an invisible gas in your home that had the potential to cause lung cancer in you or your family members? You would probably try to get rid of it as soon as possible. Although this invisible gas sounds like science fiction, it is very much reality. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and it could be in your home right now.

Radon is the result of uranium decaying in soil. It is a radioactive gas that can travel upward through homes where it becomes trapped, builds up, and becomes a carcinogen. It cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, but it is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. It is best to trust a professional radon mitigation specialist to rid your home of radon.

Radon is measured by picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends mitigating any building with a radon measurement at, or above 4.0 pCi/L. There are a number of methods contractors can use to lower radon levels in a home. There are some techniques designed to prevent radon from entering your home and others that reduce the current radon levels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends methods that prevent radon entry entirely. Soil suction is one such method, as it draws the radon from below the house and vents it out through a pipe away from the house where it is quickly diluted. Other radon mitigation techniques include sealing, house/room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation, and natural ventilation.

According to the EPA, radon gas is approximately 7.5 times heavier than air, but is easily influenced by air movements and pressure. Forced air heating and cooling can distribute radon gas throughout an entire house. Discharging radon gas through a radon mitigation system above the roof is a surefire way to decrease concentration levels. Even at three to four feet from its discharge point, radon concentration begins to approach background levels. The EPA writes that the concentration of radon gas at the discharge point can be tens of thousands of picocuries per minute. The EPA prohibits ground-level discharge of radon because the gas could re-enter the house. Also, discharging at that level has proven to be dangerous to children, so discharging it through the roof is the safest and best way to mitigate radon.

In order to determine if radon mitigation is necessary on your home you must first conduct a radon test. There are do-it-yourself home test kits available on the market for homeowners to use but they haven’t proven to be the most accurate. A professional radon mitigation contractor can get you more accurate results, and get them sooner than having to mail a DIY detector back to a lab and wait for the results. In some cases, buying or selling a house actually requires a certified professional to perform radon testing and mitigation services. So if you don’t plan on staying in your home, it would be wise to get a professional radon test performed.

If you’re curious about radon levels in your home, contact your local radon contractor. NRD dealers go through extensive training and certification to perform professional radon mitigation across the country.

Resolutions for a Healthier Home in 2012

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:19:14 -0500

Let’s tell it like it is. The Holiday Season that begins at Thanksgiving and extends through New Year’s Day is a time of overindulgence. With so much festivity going on at home and in the workplace, there’s always far too much to eat and drink. We partake in these celebrations in a spirit of good cheer, but also with the knowledge that we’ll pay for it later. As the new year begins, many of us share a common resolution to get in better shape and live a healthier lifestyle.

Not just health, but safety too

The most obvious fix for too much food and drink over the holidays is probably some extra time on the treadmill or in an exercise class, combined with healthier eating habits. But the beginning of a new year is also a good time to focus on other health and safety issues around the house. Indeed, most of these health and safety measures can be dealt with over the course of a couple of days –a lot faster than it takes to shed extra holiday pounds.

This is a good time to check the batteries in home smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries as necessary. If your furnace filter hasn’t been changed in several months, it’s probably ready to be replaced. And how about the filter in your kitchen vent hood? After all that holiday cooking, it’s probably ready for a good cleaning. Most modern kitchen vent filters are reusable and dishwasher safe, so it’s simply a matter of cleaning the filter along with the next load of dishes.

Dealing with radon risks

Any discussion of home health and safety should include a strategy to protect homeowners from exposure to radon gas. Radioactive radon gas emanates naturally from rocks and soil, and can easily migrate into a home’s living area after entering a basement or crawl space through a sump pit and cracks or gaps in masonry. Invisible and odorless, radon can nevertheless be lethal. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over 21,000 people die in the U.S. every year because of exposure to radon.

If your house already has a radon system, this is a good time to call in the contractor who installed the system (or another radon mitigation specialist) to confirm that it is operating correctly. If your house hasn’t yet been tested for radon, make sure to do this or have it done right away. A licensed radon abatement contractor can perform the test, or you can do it yourself, using a test kit available from your local home center or hardware store.

If your house tests high for radon (above the 4 picocuries per liter exposure threshold established by the EPA), you don’t have to worry. A radon mitigation contractor will be able to install an abatement system that exhausts radon gas harmlessly into the atmosphere. It’s a permanent health and safety improvement with proven life-saving value.

10 Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:46:11 -0500

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers indoor air quality to be one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Asthma, respiratory ailments, and irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat are common health problems caused by indoor air pollution. To protect family members from these ill effects, put these 10 steps into practice.

1. Don’t operate unvented kerosene heaters. Any combustion appliance (including kerosene heaters, fireplaces and woodstoves) operated indoors must be properly vented to prevent potentially lethal exposure to carbon monoxide gas and other combustion byproducts. A gas-fired grill designed for use outdoors should never be operated inside the house.

2. Eliminate secondhand smoke. Don’t allow anyone to smoke in your house. Secondhand smoke causes 38,000 deaths every year.

3. Have your house tested for radon. This radioactive gas is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking tobacco. Radon gas is emitted by rocks and soil and can enter a building through any type of foundation. It’s invisible and odorless, so the only way to determine if radon concentrations are excessively high (above 4 picocuries per liter of indoor air) is to perform a test. Reliable radon test kits are available online, from some municipal heath agencies, and from local suppliers. You can also have a licensed radon abatement contractor perform a test for you.

4. Have a radon mitigation system installed if necessary. If your house shows a high level of radon as the result of a test, don’t panic. But don’t ignore the need for action. An experienced radon abatement contractor will be able use proven techniques to reduce radon exposure to acceptable levels.

5. Avoid storing paints, chemicals and solvents in the house. Water-based paints can be stored indoors, but the solvents used in some finishes and heavy-duty cleaning products can produce fumes that are irritating and harmful. Many of these compounds may also pose a fire hazard, so it’s better to store them in a garage or shed.

6. Have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed on each main living level. To ensure proper functionality, follow the manufacturer’s instructions about where to install each detector.

7. Control moisture in basement and crawl space areas. Waterproofing and/or dehumidifying measures may be necessary to keep moisture and humidity levels down in these areas. Doing so is your best opportunity to eliminate the harmful effects of mold, which spreads by means of airborne spores.

8. Get fresh air inside. As weather permits, open doors and windows to introduce fresh air to the interior. Operate vent fans in bathrooms during showering and at least once a day for 5-10 minutes.

9. Change air filters at least once per season. If your house has a forced-air system for heating and/or cooling, make sure to install a new air filter in each air handler unit at least once every season.

10. Purchase formaldehyde-free products for use in the home. This bad-smelling gas is emitted by certain textiles and building products. The particleboard used in some types of flooring, composite panels, cabinetry and furniture is the most common source today. Formaldehyde can cause respiratory ailments and irritate the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Most manufacturers have eliminated the use of formaldehyde in their products, but it’s wise to check labeling and ask about formaldehyde content when buying products for your home.

Radon Testing and Mitigation Expected to Increase During Winter Months Says Radon Expert

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:30:22 -0500

Omaha, NE – Curt Drew, president of National Radon Defense, anticipates an upheaval in radon testing and mitigation to follow the annual trends having been set in years past.

According to Drew, there are several reasons leading homeowners to testing during the winter. From National Radon Awareness week in October, Radon Action Month in January, and the fact that people are in their homes more during the cooler months—homeowners want to protect their family and friends from the effects of radon.

“Home’s are sealed up tight in the winter with the HVAC System working overtime. Radon levels are also typically elevated as compared to other times of the year,” Said Drew.

Prior years have shown the popularity of testing during the colder months.

“If you took a poll of the radon testing companies, they’d agree their most popular month for testing would be January, follow-ups in February, and mitigation in the spring from March through June,” said Drew.

While customers can buy radon test kits online through National Radon Defense, Drew encourages homeowners to take advantage of having an expert contractor perform the radon testing. Drew’s network uses a specialized monitor test- a highly reliable and reputable tool Drew’s experts all swear by.

Drew is the founder and president of National Radon Defense, a leader in the international arena of radon services. He is a trusted member of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, Indoor Air Quality Association, National Environmental Health Association Radon Speakers Bureau, and a licensed radon mitigation specialist and radon measurement and mitigation specialist in Nebraska.

National Radon Defense (NRD) is a national network of business professionals who acknowledge the need for radon mitigation in America, and maintain the standards, qualifications, and functions of a highly successful radon business system. Members of this network are proven radon experts who build their radon businesses by utilizing an exclusive right to the NRD business system.

Mapping Radon Risks

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:04:09 -0400

There’s no shortage of maps that tell you how much radon exposure you’re likely to face in different parts of the country. The map that’s most frequently cited is produced by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The U.S. Geological Survey has its own version of a national radon map, using a blue, yellow and pink theme instead of the EPA’s red, orange and yellow color scheme.

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory also has a map.

There are even maps that predict radon exposure levels by county. Keep in mind, the EPA has labeled an action level for concentrations at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter. In Fairfield County, Connecticut where I live, the county map tells me that 30% of buildings will show radon levels above 4pCi/L; 26% will have radon levels between 2 and 3.9 pCi/L; and 45% will be under 2 pCi/L.

Maps Just Tell Part of the Story

It’s good to know that radon is on the radar screen of at least several major government agencies and research organizations. The more we know about this radioactive, cancer-causing gas, the better. But it’s important not to let map details lull us into a false sense of security. Here’s the caveat published by the EPA about their map, right at the top of their web page:

“This map is not intended to be used to determine if a home in a given zone should be tested for radon. Homes with elevated levels of radon have been found in all three zones. All homes should be tested regardless of geographic location.”

The Lawrence Berkeley Lab echoes this concern:

“IMPORTANT: Radon concentrations are highly variable within a county, and in a given county some homes will have concentrations more than 5 times as high as the medians shown here!”

Many Factors Determine Radon Exposure Levels

Since radon gas is emitted from rocks and soil, geological conditions play a significant role in the potential for radon exposure. But other factors can be just as or even more important. Ongoing radon research has shown that construction details are very important in determining the concentration of radon gas in indoor air.

For example, a building that has a dirt crawl space will be especially susceptible to radon gas emissions. With nothing covering the soil, there are no barriers to radon emissions. Likewise, a basement with an open sump pit is also providing an unobstructed pathway for radon. Even when a basement has a concrete floor, radon concentrations can be high, thanks to cracks in walls and floors, gaps around access holes for utility and plumbing lines, and radon in the water supply.

Good News Can Follow Bad News

The bottom line is that no matter what it says on a radon map or what radon exposure levels are detected in neighboring houses, it’s crucial to have your own home and/or business tested. Since the test is inexpensive or even free in some areas (thanks to local promotions or programs), there’s no reason not to do it.

If you get news of some pretty high levels, don’t worry. There’s good news too: A licensed radon specialist will be able to install an abatement system that exhausts radon gas harmlessly into the atmosphere. Even high radon concentrations can be reduced to negligible levels using well-established radon mitigation techniques.

Radon Mitigation in Eau Claire on High Alert Says Local Health Department

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:52:37 -0400

Eau Claire, WI – The cooler weather draws more than just people indoors, as radon levels are notably higher when trapped inside homes during the winter months. The Eau Claire City County Health Department is urging homeowners to test and mitigate for radon and raise awareness of the effects of radon exposure—especially during this, National Radon Awareness Week.

The Eau Claire City County Health Department says 30 percent of homes that are tested for radon have dangerous levels. Though most specialists declare any interaction with radon seemingly dangerous, the Environmental Protection Agency has defined 4.0 picocuries per liter as the action zone.

Testing for radon can be very inexpensive and efficient. These systems will generally have a fan that will suck the concentrated radon out of the homeowner’s basement and disperse it outside where the levels are low enough to have much of any effect on humans.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. It occurs when uranium decays in the earth’s crust and makes its way up to the surface. Radon gas can be released through underground water sources and into the air, or it can seep into homes through the basement.

Classic Radon Services is the locally trusted resource for radon testing and radon mitigation in Eau Claire, WI and surrounding locations. Contact them today for free radon estimate and schedule an appointment and consultation with their radon specialists.

National Radon Awareness Week is October 17 through 24

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:45:14 -0400

Omaha, NE: National Radon Awareness Week, also known as Federal Radon Action Week, begins Monday October, 17 and lasts through October 24. In recognition of the estimated 21,000 victims of the fatal effects of radon exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General have declared this coming week to serve as a memorandum of motivation to test every home in the United States for radon.

Radon is utterly undetectable using human senses, which explains its success at contaminating thousands of homes and killing tens of thousands each year. The facts are alarming and yet the prevention is simple, inexpensive and accessible.

Radon testing can be done at home where test results are then sent and diagnosed at a lab. There are short-term and long-term tests available. For those who would prefer trusting the whole test process to an expert can certainly contact National Radon Defense.

National Radon Defense is rapidly growing with some of the nation’s most trusted and highly trained experts.

As the U.S. Government and all major health organizations promote radon testing and awareness at all times, the upcoming week is a time to upgrade efforts and push for testing and regulation.

Radon is the number one in-home killer in the United States claiming 21,000 lives of unsuspecting homeowners to lung cancer—most of whom have never even smoked. Though unnoticeable to human senses, National Radon Defense performs radon testing and mitigation to reduce homes to levels below the action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter.

About National Radon Defense

National Radon Defense is a professional network of radon contractors receiving training and certifications to better the lives of Americans by protecting against the effects of radon exposure. Contact a local National Radon Defense expert today for a free consultation or to purchase radon test kits online.

National Radon Awareness Week

Seismic Activity May Alter Radon Levels

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:18:16 -0400

The 5.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked the mid-Atlantic states this August has geologists and radon experts talking about the seismic activity’s effect on radon levels. Geologists involved in predicting seismic events have discovered that sudden spikes in radon emissions from the soil can indicate that an earthquake is about to occur. It’s also very likely that radon emissions may change following seismic events.

Uncommon Earthquake

When tectonic plates shift suddenly after being forced together for a period of time, causes a release of stored energy: an earthquake. Earthquakes are common in the west coast predominantly California and much rarer in the east coast. The east coast earthquake that took place this August was an unexpected occurrence that many people are still talking about today.

Although the epicenter of the quake was located near Louisa, VA between Charlottesville and Richmond, tremors were felt as far south as Chapel Hill, NC and north into New England.

Earthquakes Effect Radon

In the past, geologists have noted how seismic activity has affected wells by altering the flow of subterranean water. It’s also very possible that radon levels may be affected by seismic activity. Houses that tested with low levels of radon exposure may show hazardous levels of radon in response to seismic activity.

In a paper published in 2003, two Israeli researchers discovered that a surge in radon emissions in a certain area increased the chances that an earthquake would occur near that area within a few days. Other research revealed that radon gas concentration increased in water as well as in air prior to an earthquake.

These findings make sense when you consider that radon is an invisible, odorless and radioactive gas that is emitted naturally from rocks and soil. As the earth’s crust is crushed and strained prior to an earthquake, radon gas is released from trapped areas as new cracks and openings are made.

Importance of Retesting for Radon!

Radon is the leading cause of cancer after smoking, killing over 21,000 people in the U.S. each year. The U.S. Dept. of Environmental Protection (U.S. DEP) strongly recommends that every home and occupied building be tested and mitigated to avoid hazardous exposure levels.

Because seismic activity has been shown to alter radon levels, it’s wise to retest radon levels yearly, even after a radon abatement system has been installed. Affordable radon test kits are available from hardware stores, home centers and online sources.

National Radon Defense is proud to provide radon test kits for homeowners to use; they can also get a precise radon reading using their own specialized equipment. Some localities even provide free test kits through local health and safety programs.

Because radon testing is affordable, reliable and easy to perform, there’s no reason not to complete this test. The U.S. DEP recommends installing a radon abatement system if the radon test shows a concentration of 4 or more picocuries per liter. Fortunately, even high concentration levels can be lowered effectively, thanks to proven mitigation techniques that capture radon-laden air and exhaust it safely into the atmosphere.

High Percentage of Colorado Homeowners Aware But Not Checking for Radon

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:35:23 -0400

A study conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shows that 73 percent of Coloradoans are aware of the dangers of radon. Out of this group only 34 percent have tested their homes for radon.

Positive Statistics

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recently did a study that shows that 73 percent of Colorado residents are aware of the harmful dangers of radon. It is beneficial for residents to be aware of Radon’s effects as it is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that is only second to cigarettes as a leading cause of lung cancer.

Christine Kelley, radon program manager in the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division in Colorado says, “It’s encouraging that so many people are aware of radon because most Colorado counties are at high risk for it.”

Negative Statistics

Of those that understand the hazards of radon, only 34 percent affirmed having tested their homes.

“The only ways to know if radon is present in your home is to test for it,” says Kelley.

The state of Colorado gathered radon testing data showing that approximately 50 percent of Colorado homes have radon levels above the recommended action limit, which is 4 picocuries per liter of air.

The only way to rid your home of radon is to install a mitigation system. Radon finds its way into homes through decay of naturally occurring uranium in the soil. Radon is not harmful when dispersed freely into the atmosphere, but when it collects in homes it becomes very dangerous and endangers anyone living in the house.

What Does This Mean

These statistics show that there has been increased awareness of radon in Colorado but awareness isn’t enough to make homeowners test their homes.

This doesn’t just apply to Colorado. All homeowners need to realize that radon is a serious problem throughout the United States and has alarming consequences.

Kelley says, “The best way to protect your family is to test your home, and we recommend that every Colorado home be tested.”

Contact your local National Radon Defense affiliate for radon testing and radon mitigation services. Foundation Repair of Western Colorado, LLC offers radon testing in Colorado.

Radon Exposes People to Alzheimers and Parkinsons Diseases

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:29:21 -0400

Exposure to radioactive radon gas, which emanates naturally from soil and rock in most parts of the world, has long been known to cause lung cancer. But more recent research, performed at the University of North Dakota, indicates that radon may be a significant cause of two diseases of the brain: Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The radon gas emitted from soil and rock is not a hazard in the open air. But radon gas can accumulate in dangerous concentrations in the interior of a building. Crawl space foundations with dirt floors are especially prone to high radon concentration, but this potentially lethal gas can also accumulate in a basement or above a concrete slab foundation. It migrates easily to other parts of the house, especially in downstairs rooms. Since radon gas is odorless, invisible and noncombustible, the only way to detect its presence is by using special testing devices.

From the lungs to the brain

The most immediate effect of inhaled radon gas is lung tissue being exposed to radioactive particles –a known cause of lung cancer. But after being inhaled into the lungs, radon gas enters the bloodstream. Research has shown that radioactive byproducts of radon gas tend to accumulate in brain tissue, where they can do additional damage. Lab technicians at the University of North Dakota discovered that radioactive radon concentrations in the brains of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease patients were (on average) 10 times greater than in the brains of persons with no Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Given the findings above, it’s not surprising that the geographic distribution of people who die from Parkinson’s disease is higher in states with greater radon contamination potential. All of these statistics point to some very basic and affordable preventative measures: testing for radon and (if necessary) hiring a radon mitigation specialist to install a radon abatement system. Radon test kits are available from hardware stores, home centers and online sources. These low-priced kits (around $20 or so) will give reliable radon readings as long as the homeowner follows the manufacturer’s directions to the letter. Alternatively, it’s possible for a radon mitigation contractor to perform the radon test.

If radon levels are detected above or close to the EPA’s maximum exposure threshold of 4 picocuries per liter, you’ll want to install a radon abatement system to protect building occupants from potentially lethal exposure. The typical radon abatement system has a single moving part: the fan that pulls radon-rich air from the soil beneath the foundation floor and expels it outside where it dissipates into the air. When installed by an experienced radon specialist, such a system works effectively and reliably with minimum maintenance required. When you consider the statistics on radon’s harmful effects, radon testing and mitigation definitely qualify as “no-brainers.”

About the Author: Contact the experts at National Radon Defense for more information about radon testing and radon fans. Want to test your home for radon before discussing any further options?
Buy radon test kits online at our site.

Scientist Identifies New Ways to Detect Radon

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:08:23 -0400

A team led by Professor Ivan J. Dmochowski has recently discovered how the use of xenon gas can prevent the effects of radon exposure. Radon is an extremely dangerous radioactive gas that develops from uranium decay and can have drastic effects on a person’s health. This radioactive gas is only second to smoking for causing lung cancer related deaths.

Many homeowners are often unaware of their exposure to radon and how it can affect their household. This is why it is important to have your house checked regularly for radon exposure. More than 20,000 deaths each year are caused by radon gas exposure. Dmochowski’s research has made it easier for people to be safe from hazardous affects of caused by radon.

Their Discovery

Dmochowski recently conducted an experiment testing how radon reacts with other discrete molecules. Along with undergraduate and graduate students, Dmochowski discovered how xenon, a gas similar to radon, interacts with the organic molecule cryptophane. Their research has made them the first to measure how radon binds to discrete molecules.

Dmochowski’s team measured a solution of radon and a new water-soluble cryptophane. This measurement was important because it showed radon’s “affinity constant.” This is a measure of how much radon was bound to cryptophane at a given temperature.

Modern Day Use for the Experiment

Professor Dmochoski said, “Now that we have a robust method for measuring radon binding to discrete entities, we could apply it to things like proteins found in the lungs. If you know radon’s affinity for those proteins, you have a better idea of the concentration and timescale over which it will be dangerous.” Dmochowki’s team is planning on using their new discovery to better MRI contrast agents and to extract radon from groundwater.

What Does This Mean

This discovery advances technology that can be used to help detect radon and protect people from radon’s hazardous effects. Their findings can help protect homeowners from being unknowingly exposed to radon on a daily basis.

Advancements like these are making it easier for local radon mitigation contractors to develop new technologies to further assist homeowners in the fight against radon.

If you have any questions regarding radon mitigation or its potential hazardous health effects, contact your local radon mitigation experts today! They will be able to direct you on how to reduce your family’s radon exposure risk.

How Energy Upgrades Affect Radon Levels

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:25:14 -0400

The rising cost of energy --in the form of electricity, natural gas, propane, gasoline and fuel oil—has many people paying attention to the fuel efficiency of their vehicles and the energy performance of their homes. Many so-called “green” upgrades –from hybrid cars to new ENERGY STAR® appliances—offer the dual benefits of lowering harmful greenhouse gas emissions and saving people money. Different state and Federal incentives for energy-saving improvements make these green investments even more attractive.

The Home Energy Audit

Throughout the country, many homeowners are having energy audits performed on their houses. Although all energy audits are not the same, most provide at least a “snapshot” of a home’s energy profile and identify improvements that will help to reduce energy use and utility expenses.

Save Energy and Money

Most houses waste a significant amount of energy because they have too much air leakage and too little insulation. Many homeowners decide to invest in repairs once these defects are identified, saving hundreds of dollars per year. Sealing air leaks and upgrading insulation levels can cut heating and cooling expenses by as much as 30%.

Home Improvements Alter Radon Levels

The energy-saving strategies of “sealing the house tight and insulating right” can also impact the concentration of radioactive radon gas inside the house. With less air leaking into and out of a house, it’s possible for radon –an invisible, odorless gas—to accumulate in higher, more hazardous levels.

Radon is emitted by soil and rocks, so it typically enters the house through the foundation. But like any gas or vapor, it responds to variations in temperature and air pressure, so it can easily makes its way into living areas. The Department of Environmental Protection recommends that a radon abatement system be installed whenever radon concentration reaches 4 picocuries per liter.

Fortunately, radon mitigation contractors have effective, well-established techniques for removing radon-laden air from houses. But it’s the responsibility of the homeowner to get the house tested and to arrange for radon abatement if necessary. All houses should be tested for radon, but it’s especially important to test (or retest) radon levels if your house has had air-sealing and insulation upgrades.

Contact your local radon mitigation expert for more information about ways to lower the radon levels in your home.

EPA Radon Action Plan Increases Organization Involvement

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 15:16:44 -0400

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aiming to save thousands of lives through the implementation of a new action plan to coordinate the efforts of Federal agencies, non-profit associations and professional organizations. Together they hope to reduce exposure to radon across the broadest possible population, further reducing the influx of the lethal effects of this carcinogenic gas that emanates from soil and rock.

Radon Concentrations

In an unprotected building, radioactive radon gas can reach dangerous concentrations that building occupants are unaware of, since radon gas is invisible and odorless. Reliable mitigation techniques can eliminate highly hazardous radon exposure, but for this to happen, buildings must be tested and experienced radon mitigation contractors must be hired to install radon abatement systems.

Working Together

The Federal agencies participating in the action plan include the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of the Interior, Department of Veterans Affairs, and the General Services Administration.

A coalition of non-profit organizations will also be working to expand radon awareness and mitigation. These include the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, American Lung Association, American Society of Home Inspectors, Cancer Survivors Against Radon, Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, National Center for Healthy Housing, National Conference of State Legislatures, and the National Environmental Health Association. In addition, medical professionals, realtors and building professionals are being invited to join the coalition.

About Radon

Over 21,000 radon-related deaths occur in the U.S. every year. Reducing this statistic calls for awareness and action. Making more people aware of radon risks will prompt more testing in homes and other buildings. Action consists of hiring an experienced radon abatement contractor to install a system that reduces indoor levels of radon concentration to acceptable levels.

We at National Radon Defense work to test and mitigate homes in order to protect people everywhere from the harmful effects of radon poisoning.

Homemade Radon System Gains Student Recognition at International Engineering Fair

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:21:25 -0400

I remember my science fair. I developed an automatic fish feeder. The most important part was a light timer that my family had always used when we went on vacation. It was awesome, to a sixth grader.

My little fish feeder may have put up a good fight, but there proved to be some pretty amazing participants in this year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in LA.

Amongst the many participants, one young lady stuck out with her homemade radon tester. Even at 16 years old, Lois Gagnon understands the importance of radon testing and brought attention not only to the importance of radon testing but also to the affects of radon exposure.

Gagnon won the American Association of Physics Teachers and Physics Society Award and was one of 14 students invited to have lunch with attending Nobel laureates.
“And it works a lot faster than a lot of commercial radon tests,” said Gagnon.

It’s wonderful to hear about young people inventing products to test for radon.

With all the news about possible carcinogens, radon is a proven carcinogen and needs to be exposed!

Contact the experts at National Radon Defense for more information about radon testing and radon mitigation in your area.

More than 1,500 students from 443 affiliate fairs in 65 countries, regions and territories competed in 17 categories at the Los Angeles fair.

A Fresh Spin on Choosing A Radon Abatement Contractor

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:54:14 -0400

It may sound like a strange way to start a discussion with a radon abatement specialist, but you can learn a lot by making this simple request: “Tell me about the fan.”

Radon is a pretty mysterious element, and unbeknownst to many, this odorless, invisible and potentially lethal gas is infecting thousands! In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, causing over 21,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. So, before even talking to an expert you may want to have your home tested for radon. Buy radon test kits online at our site, and feel free to contact us with any questions!

While radon gas may be mysterious, there’s not much mystery behind a typical radon abatement system. A radon abatement specialist installs a system of plastic pipes to extract radon-rich air from the soil beneath the house, dependent upon the home’s foundation.

In a basement installation, the plastic pipes extend through the basement’s concrete slab. If a house has a crawl space foundation with a dirt floor, the contractor will cover the dirt with a continuous plastic sheet that’s sealed to the crawl space walls. The pipe extends into the soil beneath the sheet to extract radon-rich air.

The Fan

The suction to extract radon gas from beneath the house and blow it outdoors (where it can diffuse harmlessly into the atmosphere) is provided by a special fan. The fan blades are the only moving parts in the system. The fan plays a critical role in any radon abatement system, and not just because of the suction it supplies.

Location, Location, Location

An inline fan is used in radon abatement because it is mounted in-line with the plastic pipe’s vertical exhaust stack, as shown in the photo. The fan is always on, and because it operates continuously, a skilled radon mitigation specialist will install the fan where its noise will be least disruptive. Rubber couplings between the fan’s flanges and the pipe can help to minimize fan noise. These same couplings can also be used on an exterior exhaust stack to lessen noise.

If the pipe’s exhaust stack extends outside the house, it’s better for the fan to be outside a utility room, bathroom or hallway-- rather than next to a bedroom or family room.

Sometimes the homeowner elects to have the exhaust stack concealed from view, meaning it will be placed within a home’s closet or chase—most commonly the attic.

Selecting the Right Fan

Fans designed for radon mitigation come with different power and speed ratings. An experienced radon mitigation specialist will make sure to select a fan that’s best-suited to the number of pipe penetrations into the soil, the length of the pipe run, and the density of the soil. A quality fan should have a warranty of at least 5 years.

Contact the experts at National Radon Defense for more information about radon testing and radon fans. Want to test your home for radon before discussing any further options

Radon Gas in Virginia Gets Exposed By Ginger Collins

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:25:11 -0400

In a friendly Virginia town, one family tells the story of how close to home this radon gas can hit.

A mother, friend, faithful churchgoer, and life role model, Ginger Collins, has fought a tough battle with lung cancer; only to die a moth after learning the cause of this heinous disease—radon gas exposure.

Radon Comes from Where?

Radon originates in the soil and is released through the process of uranium decay. Once released with other toxins, radon can enter through tiny cracks and holes in a home's foundation. The radon proceeds to travel throughout the home, and depending upon the home’s sealing, the radon can either travel through and be released, or become trapped and condense within the home. In the latter, homeowners won’t even know—as Ginger Collins’ family can attest.

This gas is completely unrecognizable with human senses, so without a radon test, homeowners have no way of knowing their home is contaminated.

Radon Gas in Virginia

Unfortunately for the Collins’, the gas had already taken its first victim. But, family members are determined to help spread the word throughout Virginia, a state that has fallen prey to the effects of budget cuts—radon budget cuts.

Virginia isn’t alone. Maryland, Rhode Island and California have also been forced to lessen the radon awareness said Angel Price, executive director of the National Environmental Health Association's radon program.

"The potential consequences are obvious," Price said. "The consumers, the public, are not getting the information that radon can kill you. ... A lot of people are taking the position that it's been around since the 1980s, so we've solved that problem."

In Virginia, a whopping 670 people a year are estimated to die from the effects of radon exposure.

“Radon was 'the one thing weighing on her heart’ until the day she died,’” said Collins’ daughter about her mother.

Collins’ death can help save other Virginians. Contact Evergreen Basement Systems today for radon testing in Virginia. They are your local radon mitigation expert!

New England AARST Meeting Held May 16 and 17

Thu, 19 May 2011 10:32:34 -0400

This New England chapter of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, Inc. (AARST) held a successful meeting from May 16-17 at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Nearly 50 members were in attendance.

From superb guest speakers including those from the Environmental Protection Agency, CT State Radon Officer and more—the announcements, presentations, and classes provided a wealth of knowledge to all in attendance.

In addition, guests could attend CE courses and participate in a radon mitigation panel.

To close out this year’s spring meeting, legal and insurance topics were discussed as well as internet marketing, including social media topics.

Interested in having your home tested for radon? Contact National Radon Defense to talk with your local radon mitigation expert and know your home’s radon levels and how to maintain a healthier amount.

Interested in becoming more involved in your local AARST chapter? Visit the AARST website to locate your chapter and begin your journey on a path to help raise awareness and involvement in radon issues.

Researchers Find Molecules That May Lead to Blood Testing for Lung Cancer

Fri, 13 May 2011 16:52:35 -0400

Cancer, in any form, is the heart-stopping, fear birthing word of our lifetime. Doctors and patients alike are quickly trapped within, in most cases, a fatal battle. Lung cancer is one of the least funded and highly fatal forms of cancer. Unfortunately, because many lung cancer cases are caused by personal decisions to smoke, the treatment and research is limited. However, 21,000 people die from radon induced lung cancer every year. These are people who may have never been a smoker nor heavily influenced by a smoker. For these people, any research and medical help is necessary—as is for all unsuspecting cancer diagnoses.

A recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published an article regarding some researchers’ identification of blood molecules that could lead to a blood test for lung cancer!

Principal researcher, Dr. Carlo M. Croce; professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics; and director of the Human Cancer Genetics program; has helped in this recent discovery of the molecule called microRNA (MiRNA). This molecule appears in lung cancer patients’ blood in various patterns that may be able to indicate a future lung cancer tumor, the degree of illness, and risk.

"Our goal was to identify biomarkers that could predict tumor development and prognosis to improve lung-cancer diagnosis and treatment," Croce says. "Overall, these findings strengthen the observation that circulating miRNA in plasma is detectable well before clinical disease detection by spiral CT, indicating the possibility of identifying high-risk patients on the basis of miRNA profiling."

Radon induced lung cancer is very real, as are the affects of this heinous disease. Although this comes as a surprise to many and serves as a great advance in the cancer research, in no way does this molecule change the influence we can have over radon induced lung cancer. By simply testing our homes, work places, and schools, we too can affect the number of those falling prey to radon induced lung cancer.

Contact a radon contractor near you for radon testing and for radon abatement services. With the proper radon mitigation system and maintenance you can gain the peace of mind that you have done one of the most valuable preventive measures instated against the inception of radon induced lung cancer.

Radon Mitigation Systems Are Made To Fit Your Home

Tue, 03 May 2011 11:21:37 -0400

You’ve received some bad news, and for once, the words, “it depends,” aren’t actually all that bad.

Your house, or a house you’re thinking of buying, has dangerous concentrations of radioactive radon gas. It could be worse, this could be inoperable news. However, there are proven and reliable ways to reduce radon gas to the minimal exposure levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA recommends that radon gas concentration be kept at or below 4 picocuries per liter (4 pCi/L).

So, the building must be tested. This can be performed by a radon mitigation contractor or you can use an affordable radon test kit and test the levels yourself!

If test results indicate that a radon abatement system (aka “radon reduction” or “radon mitigation” system) is required, most homeowners will want to treat this home repair like any other and get bids from several qualified contractors. But since all radon mitigation specialists will guarantee radon reduction to recommended levels, how can you make sure you’re getting the best value from a given contractor?

Is This The Best Value?

Good question. In order to select the right contractor, you may have to do some research about the work you’re having done, this way you’ll be able to follow what is happening and decide your dollar’s worth. While the adage that “you get what you pay for” often applies in the field of radon abatement, it’s worth knowing a bit more about the qualifications, skills and priorities of the contractors you’re considering. Use the following information about systems and requirements when making your decision.

Each System is Unique

It’s logical to expect that as the size of the house increases, the size and price of the radon abatement system will also increase. But this isn’t always the case. The design and condition of the foundation as well as the permeability of the soil beneath the house will factor in the complexity and cost of the system. Radon mitigation typically involves extracting radon-rich air from beneath a foundation and exhausting it outdoors where it can disperse harmlessly into the atmosphere. If there’s permeable gravel or sand/gravel soil beneath the basement slab, fewer extraction points will be necessary than if the soil is dense clay.

Unfinished Basements

The runs of plastic pipe that convey air from beneath the house to the outdoors are much easier to install in an unfinished basement. If the basement is finished or if homeowners plan to finish it, it will be necessary for the contractor to design a more complicated piping run so that the radon system won’t be visible. This can add to the cost, but it is often a worthwhile expense given the final benefits: a fully functional radon system that doesn’t intrude on the home’s living space.

The Crawl Space Foundation

Narrow, cramped crawl space foundations can sometimes increase the cost of a radon system. Sometimes this is because of limited accessibility. Other times, it’s because a plastic vapor barrier must be installed over a dirt crawl space and sealed to the foundation wall so that radon-rich gas from the soil can be captured and exhausted outside the house.

System Visibility

A final factor in radon abatement cost has to do with the system’s visibility above and/or outside the house foundation. The riser pipe that extends from beneath the house to an exhaust point outside the house can either be mounted against an exterior wall or hidden inside the house.

Some homeowners prefer a concealed interior installation because of aesthetic considerations, but this makes for a pricier installation. The expert would need to run the pipe through the back of a closet, inside an interior wall or in a vertical chase. Then the pipe will be concealed and can then extend through the roof as its fan shroud is placed in the attic. In an exterior pipe installation, the fan is incorporated into the exterior pipe run.

Finalizing the Price

All of these choices and conditions factor in the final cost of a radon mitigation system. An experienced radon abatement contractor will have the skill and equipment to handle a wide range of different system requirements. And this well-versed contractor will be much more hesitant to provide a “one-size-fits-all” price because of a diverse installation experience. When investigating the cost of a radon abatement system, remember that “It depends…” isn’t a bad answer.

Ways You Can Raise Radon Awareness in Your Community

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:10:59 -0400

You’ve just realized the effects of radon gas exposure and you want to spread the word—that’s awesome! But, where should you start?

• Well, is there a committee that already works on such marketing efforts? What about cancer awareness programs? Try to get involved! Many people don’t understand how radon links to lung cancer—you could be the person to make this better understood!

• Write letters to the businesses that sell radon resources. Let them know you want to help spread the word. They just might have more financial resources and access to ways to spread the news about radon. You may be a great local advocate.

• One town used a banner in a heavy-traffic area to encourage radon testing. The banner was then put in another area of town a few weeks later. The town found through some analysis of questionnaires, that over the span of January to March, people requested more than 400 radon test kits! People have credited the banners even after the banners were taken down!

• Speak with a local newspaper about having an article written about how you learned about radon and how you had your home tested. This could really become a great human interest, local, or health story.

• Of course there’s always word of mouth! Buy a bumper sticker for your car. Write about it on a blog, on your social media pages, and send out emails to your friends. Be sure to let people know what you’ve learned. If anything, you’ll be more than satisfied to know you helped those closest to you.

Contact National Radon Defense today for more information about radon testing, radon mitigation, and for your local radon contractor. All of our dealers are trained and experienced in understanding the effects of radon exposure and how to personalize the prefect abatement system to lower radon levels in any building.

Why Worry About Radon in An Empty Crawl Space

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:29:35 -0400

“Nobody goes into the crawl space, and the crawl space isn’t connected to the house—so what’s the big deal if it has radon?”

A crawl space is empty and unused, so where’s the radon risk in that? It’s certainly true that the average crawl space isn’t visited very often. Who wants to spend time in a cramped, dark, dirt-floored foundation? I’d only do it if I were paid, like the plumber who comes to service the water heater once or twice a year. Can radon gas really accumulate in the crawl space? It sure can! Let’s learn about crawl spaces and how they affect our home environment.

Crawl Space or Foundation?

A crawl space foundation is popular in many parts of the country because it’s far easier and less expensive for builders to construct, in comparison to the excavation necessary for a basement. While materials and labor costs are also minimal, there aren’t any structural disadvantages! Some crawl spaces are left with dirt floors, while others have floors of poured concrete. And, the shorter crawl space walls can provide the same structural support as full-height basement walls. Sure, a basement and crawl space differ, but a crawl space isn’t a downgrade.

However, the main problem with many crawl space foundations is their “out of sight, out of mind” character. But here’s the truth: like it or not, what goes on in the crawl space can have an effect on the living space above and on the people who dwell there.

How A Crawl Space Affects Your Home

A stairway may not connect the crawl space to the main living space of the house, but the crawl space is connected by unintentional gaps, cracks and openings that exist in the first floor.

There are many intentional connections made, such as plumbing lines, electrical and cable wires, and ductwork that run in the crawl space all enter the above living space through holes made in the floor.

Combine these two types of openings and you’ve got plenty of potential for air movement between the crawl space and the living space. That’s why health hazards in the crawl space –most especially mold and radon—present a serious threat to homeowners.

Inspect Your Crawl Space for Radon

Regardless of how well you’ve separated your crawl space and home, it’s critical to have this sublevel inspected for mold and moisture damage. It’s also critical to have the crawl space and the first floor tested for radon.

This cancer-causing gas can easily make its way into the above living areas and pose a serious health hazard. Because radon can’t be recognized using any human senses, the only way to determine a home’s radon concentration level is through testing.

Radon Testing

You can buy radon test kits online, or have a licensed radon mitigation contractor perform a radon test on your home. If the results indicate that you and your family are being exposed to hazardous levels of radon, don’t worry. There are proven, well-established ways to reduce high radon concentrations down to more acceptable levels. What’s not acceptable is assuming that your crawl space isn’t connected to the rest of your house, thus leaving room for neglect.

Maintain your crawl space, test your home for radon, and enjoy a safe and healthy home environment.

Send Us Your Radon Stories

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:23:10 -0400

Everyone has a story about the shock of first hearing about how radon can be in any home-- radon isn't picky to say the least. Or, how the news about radon just didn’t make sense until it was too late—radon induced lung cancer had already taken over.

Perhaps your experience has been like mine. Although I didn’t know about radon until I came to work here, I reluctantly asked my father about the home I grew up in-- where he and my mother still live. Thankfully, I found out that my father had known about radon well before my childhood home had even been built. So, I felt much better!

But, there’s still the discomfort in knowing that there are people that just aren’t hearing the message, or not taking it seriously. Unfortunately, these people will have a rude awakening.

We all know that real life stories hit home. These are the stories that tug at our heart strings and cause a person to act, even after having spent years lying dormant.

Here at National Radon Defense, we want people to take action and save lives everywhere. How can we do that? Well, we want to hear your stories. How did you learn about radon, what was your response, and how do you want to help save lives?

Eliminating the Threat of Radiation Exposure

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:01:45 -0400

It’s easy to understand why Japan’s nuclear disaster continues to be the major item on nearly every TV broadcast. Even though experts have been called in from all over the world to control the rogue reactor; radioactive seawater and water vapor continue to leak into the environment, threatening the health and well-being of plants, animals and humans.

Here in the U.S. we’re extending our sympathy, support and technical assistance to the Japanese people. At the same time, we’re thankful that Japan’s radiation leakage is unlikely to cause dangerous radiation levels here at home. The basic explanation for our relative safety from this nuclear fallout was clearly voiced by a biology professor of mine:
“The solution to pollution is dilution.”

Whether we’re dealing with radiation, mold spores, carbon monoxide or any other environmental hazard, the concentration level determines how hazardous or harmless our exposure will be. By diluting a highly concentrated level of hazardous material, we limit its potential to cause damage. The radioactive steam and seawater that are being released from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant will become less hazardous as this radiation diffuses into the atmosphere and ocean.

The “pollution solution” rule that my professor offered up also applies to our own radiation conflict: exposure to radioactive radon gas. Radon gas isn’t a man-made hazard; it occurs naturally everywhere on earth, emanating from rock and soil. When the radioactive gas becomes concentrated beneath houses in basements and crawl spaces, it poses a serious cancer threat. Just like the radiation that’s leaking from Japan’s damaged power plant, radon gas is invisible and odorless, so it’s easy to overlook. But over 21,000 people die every year in the U.S. because of radon-induced cancer, so the threat is very real.

The good news is that a trained radon mitigation expert can safely, inexpensively and effectively reduce radon in buildings. The standard radon abatement strategy follows the “pollution solution” rule, using a fan and large-diameter plastic pipes to exhaust radon gas from beneath the house foundation and diffuse it harmlessly into the atmosphere. The solution to pollution is dilution. Let’s make sure to put this rule to work and eliminate radon as a cancer threat in our houses and buildings.

Radiation is Everywhere From Signs to Food and the Air We Breathe

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:16:32 -0400

Many people know about the radiation activity in nuclear plants, especially since the disaster in Japan has caused radiation problems in water, milk, air, and more. However, many experts have confirmed that the United States doesn’t have much to worry about regarding a direct correlation to our products, but we should, however, recognize the radiation we encounter on a daily basis.

Radiation is everywhere, from the signs we see to the food we eat and the air we breathe. So what does this mean exactly? Are we in dire need of protection? No. We’re perfectly fine, if we aren’t being exposed to high or consistent levels of radiation. Thankfully, we have experts measuring and identifying how much radiation can be endured without much affect.

Let’s look at all the good ways radiation is used in medicine and preservatives. You may already know about some of these, but others just might shock you.

Doctors utilize radiation in x-rays, computed tomography scans (CT) and other techniques such as tracers, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and position emission tomography (PET). In addition, doctors use radiation treatment against cancers and the sterilization of foods and male insects. Outside of the medical field, you’ll find radiation in glowing signs and the dials on watches and phones, smoke detectors, and tobacco. Of course, there’s also radiation in our nuclear power plants, which generates 20 percent of the energy in the U.S.

The highest concentration of naturally occurring radiation is radon gas. Rocks and soil contain three elements that are radioactive: potassium, thorium and uranium-- the third of which decays into radon gas. Unfortunately, we cannot recognize radon using any of our senses. So, radon is responsible for about 21,000 deaths from radon induced lung cancer each year in the U.S.

Let’s compare the medical use of x-rays to the radiation we find in radon. The amount of radiation in 4.0 pCi/L (the action level recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency) of radon is actually equivalent to the radiation in 100 chest X-rays. It gets worse. Most hospitals actually only allow patients to have four chest X-rays each year. Let's do the math. That converts to the equivalent of .16 pCi/L per X-ray and .64 pCi/L of radiation a year with four X-rays. So, you see, it's very important to have your home tested for radon. Although some radiation is beneficial in the form of medicinal techniques, radiation is deadly when concentrated inside a building.

Contact one of our radon mitigation contractors today for more information and to have your home tested for radon. You can also buy radon test kits online through our site.

American Concerns Rise After Nuclear Reactor Disaster in Japan

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:29:08 -0400

The aftermath of the devastating earth quake and tsunami that tore through northern Japan is still wreaking havoc on the Fukushina Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, and onlookers from around the world are evaluating their own risks from radiation.

Video clips showing Japanese citizens as well as American journalists being tested for radiation exposure provide a powerful reminder that exposure to radiation yields lethal consequences.

Yes, radiation from nuclear power plants can cause severe problems, but there are other forms of radiation that people are sometimes unknowingly being exposed to within their very own homes. What is this mysterious toxin—radon gas!!

Radon gas exposure causes more deaths every year than those caused by the radiation that emanates from nuclear power plants. In the U.S. alone, over 21,000 people die every year from radon exposure. Let’s compare this to nuclear power plants. It’s been noted that a full-time elementary schooler, in a classroom with 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of radon for eight hours over 180 days, withstands nearly ten times the radiation being exposed to at the edge of a nuclear power plant. This in NO WAY lessens the severity of the nuclear tragedies in Japan and elsewhere, but it does raise awareness to the less condensed and publicized effects of radon exposure.

Radon exists all over the planet. It comes from the natural decay of uranium in rocks and soil. This radioactive gas seeps between cracks and holes in foundations to then accumulate in high concentrations within a basement or crawl space. From there, the radon makes its way upstairs, into a home’s main living space.

Unfortunately, radon gas is invisible and odorless, so a building’s inhabitants may be unknowingly exposed to dangerous levels of radon gas at any time.

It’s not necessary to buy a Geiger Counter to measure a building’s possible radon levels. Nor do you have to wear a lead-lined “hazmat” suit in order to be sure you’re protected against any radon exposure.

Instead, we should test homes for radon before purchasing them or trying to sell them. This will determine whether the levels inside the home exceed the recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Radon test kits are inexpensive and reliable. In fact, you can buy radon test kits online right here on the NRD website. Whether you perform the test on your own, or ask for the help of one of our trained radon abatement experts-- either way, this is how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the effects of radiation from radon.

If a home’s radon levels are higher than 4piC/l, it’s time to call in one of our experienced radon mitigation contractors. We’ll send a skilled radon contractor to use proven techniques to extract hazardous radon gas from beneath the house and exhaust the radon out of the house where it can harmlessly dissipate into the air. Be certain the radon levels remain low by installing a radon abatement system. This will permanently remove the high risks of radioactive radon, and enabling family members to breathe easily. Of course, it’s always a good idea to have the system maintained every year to make sure it’s working properly and maintaining the appropriate levels.

The recent news about radiation exposure is still making headlines even today. It's a horrible occurrence and our hearts go out to those being exposed and hurt by the radiation from the nuclear power plant in Japan. But, as experts have expressed, Americans need not be as concerned about the possibility of radiation spreading from Japan to the U.S. Instead, Americans should support those struggling in Japan and also focus on our own immediate radiation issue that may be lurking within our very own homes. Make radon safety your #1 focus!

The Cost of Avoiding Radon Mitigation

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:27:54 -0400

Radon is present everywhere. Outside and inside, there are usually always some levels of radon present. The outdoor radon levels aren’t a huge concern because they aren’t concentrated. However, when radon is trapped inside a house, the levels can become quite dangerous.

Why it’s Important to Mitigate

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst nonsmokers, and is the second leading cause of cancer amongst smokers. It’s responsible for 20,000 deaths each year and the truth is, there isn’t much research or funds for fighting lung cancer. But, the effects of radon exposure can be avoided altogether by simply testing your home’s levels.

People spend much of there time indoors spread from living at home, going to work, working out at the gym, and the other habitual locations. Have your home tested, and inquire about the radon levels in those places where you spend the most time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends mitigation where levels are at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The only way to know is to test, and the only way to fix is to mitigate.

The Bottom Line

Concerned about the cost? Well, don’t be! Radon mitigation is affordable. Even though each reduction system is made unique to its location to provide only the utmost assurance of successful remediation, it’s well-worth the protection. Prices do vary and that’s a good thing.

The cost typically varies depending on the size and design of your home, and which radon reduction methods are needed. Systems that use fans are more effective in reducing radon levels; however, they may slightly increase your electric bill.

Your local National Radon Defense dealership can estimate the installation and average operating costs for different radon reduction systems. In addition, they’ll help you choose the best system for your home. Contact us today for information about ways to reduce radon levels in your home and radon mitigation systems.

Methods of Reducing the Radon Levels in Your Home

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:20:52 -0400

Besides the specific techniques used for basements or crawl spaces, there are several general radon reduction methods that work for any foundation: natural ventilation, sealing, house/room pressurization, and heat recovery ventilation.

Natural ventilation occurs in different amounts in all houses. Opening windows, doors, and vents on the lower floors can increase your home’s ventilation. This increase in ventilation mixes outdoor air with the indoor air that contains radon, and can reduce radon levels.

However, once windows, doors and vents are closed, radon concentrations most often resume their previous values within the next 12 hours. Natural ventilation should only be regarded as a temporary radon reduction approach because of several disadvantages: discomfort due to loss of conditioned air, increase in expenses for conditioning additional outside air, and concerns about security.

Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic way to reduce radon levels. By limiting the flow of radon into your home, you’re actually helping the other radon mitigation methods you’ve set in place—making them far more successful and cost effective.

Keeping cracks and openings tightly sealed also reduces the loss of conditioned air. However, the Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t recommend sealing as the dominant or sole radon reduction method, because it’s neither proven to significantly reduce levels of radon gas, nor provide consistent results. You may always be finding new places to seal and recurring cracks making sealing quite fickle.

House/room pressurization uses a fan to blow air into the basement or living area from either the upstairs rooms or outdoor areas. In doing so, enough pressure is hoped to build up in the basement to prevent radon from entering. Several factors contribute to this technique’s overall effectiveness: house construction, outdoor climate, and the occupants’ lifestyles. However, all doors and windows at the lowest level must remain closed in order to maintain enough pressure to keep the radon out.

This approach generally results in more outdoor air seeping into the home, which can cause moisture buildup and energy deficiency. Consequently, try more-common techniques before attempting this method.

A heat recovery ventilator (HRV), also called an air-to-air heat exchanger, reduces radon levels by increasing ventilation. If properly balanced and maintained, they can ensure a constant degree of ventilation throughout the year. HRVs can also improve air quality in houses that have other indoor pollutants. However, there could be a significant increase in the heating and cooling costs when using an HRV, but not as great as ventilation without heat recovery.

HRVs can be designed to ventilate all or a single portion of your home. For the utmost efficiency, ventilate the basement only.

Contact us today for more information about radon reduction in your home. We have radon contractors across the U.S. that are trained and ready to help.

Understanding What Makes a Radon Mitigation System Unique

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:14:06 -0400

If you’re considering installing a radon mitigation system in your home, but are unsure what makes your home different than all the rest-- it’s all about the foundation.

Houses are generally categorized according to their foundation design. For example, there’s the:

Basement
Slab-on-grade (concrete poured at ground level)
Crawl space (a shallow unfinished space under the first floor).

Not every house, however, has just one foundation design to worry about—it’s quite common to have a basement under one part of the house and a slab-on-grade or crawl space under another part. In order to reduce the radon levels to a healthy level, a combination of radon abatement methods may be required.

Regardless of the foundation type, your local National Radon Defense contractor can help you! Contact us today for a free estimate for radon mitigation in your state!

Radon Reduction for Homes With Basements or Slab-on-Grade Foundations

Radon is usually reduced in houses that have a basement or a slab-on-grade foundation by using one of these four types of soil suction: subslab suction, drain tile suction, sump hole suction, or block wall suction. In some cases, radon levels can be lowered passively without the use of a fan or actively with the use of a fan.

Active subslab suction (also called subslab depressurization) is the most common and tends to be the most reliable radon reduction method. Insert one or more suction pipes through the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil underneath. Or, insert them below the concrete slab from outside the house. The number and location of suction pipes depends on how easily the air moves in the crushed rock or soil under the slab, and depends on the strength of the radon source. Usually, only a single suction point is needed.

Here’s how it works: A radon vent fan connected to the suction pipe(s) draws the radon gas from below the house and releases it into the outdoor air simultaneously creating a negative pressure (vacuum) beneath the slab. Unconditioned spaces in houses or garages are perfect fan locations, especially the attic and exterior of the house.

Passive subslab suction is the same as active subslab suction relies on natural pressure differentials and air currents instead of a fan to redirect the radon from beneath the house. This technique is usually associated with radon-resistant features installed in newly constructed homes. Unfortunately, it’s not as effective in reducing high radon levels as active subslab suction.

Some houses have drain tiles or perforated pipes to direct water away from the foundation of the house. The suction on these tiles or pipes is often effective in reducing radon levels.

One variation of subslab and drain tile suction is sump hole suction. Since Basements usually have a sump pump to remove unwanted water, it can also be used for a radon suction pipe. The sump is capped so that it can continue to drain water, but now it also lowers the radon levels.

Block wall suction can be used in basements with hollow block foundation walls. This method removes radon and depressurizes the block wall, similar to subslab suction. Oftentimes, it’s used in combination with subslab suction.

Reduce Radon in Homes with Crawl Spaces

Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels by reducing the home's suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the house.

Submembrane suction is the most effective radon reduction system being used in homes with crawl spaces. If your home has a crawl space, your radon mitigation system will cover the earth floor with a high-density plastic sheet. Then, a vent pipe will direct the radon from beneath the sheet and then a pushes it outside.

Active crawlspace depressurization is another, though less-favorable, option that directly draws air from the crawlspace using a fan. This technique requires special attention to several items: combustion appliance back-drafting, crawl space sealing, and the possible increase in energy costs-- due to loss of conditioned air from the house.

Radon levels can also be lowered in crawl spaces by passive ventilation or active ventilation. By opening the vents or by installing additional vents, you’re actually passively ventilating the crawl space—without using a fan. However, active ventilation uses a fan to blow air through the crawlspace instead of relying on natural air circulation.

Ventilating a crawl space in the colder climates requires proper insulation for water pipes, sewer lines and appliances. Bear in mind, some of these methods could increase your home’s energy costs.

Student Poster Contest Helps Raise Radon Awareness

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:30:06 -0500

Can youngsters between the ages of 9 and 14 years old play a leading role in increasing our nation’s awareness of radon's contribution to indoor air toxicity? You bet they can—proves the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the folks at National Radon Program Services, a program based at Kansas State University (KSU). For the last five years, the EPA and KSU have jointly sponsored the National Radon Poster Contest; a nationwide competition that's drawn over 4,000 entries from 33 states, six tribal nations and a military installation.

This year's contest winner, Logan, is a 14-year-old eighth grader at Hollywood Academy of Arts and Science, in Hollywood, FL. Her winning poster features a stylized X-ray view of a father and son that highlights their lungs. The text warns, "Radon can cause Lung Cancer," and advises people to "keep your family safe."

Darwin, age 9 from Virginia Beach, VA, was the second-place winner, with a poster that asks; "Do you test your home for Radon?" Both first and second place winners were invited to Washington, DC for the awards presentation, where they were accompanied by a teacher and parent. The presentation took place during the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst nonsmokers and is the cause of an estimated 21,000 deaths each year. The radon experts at National Radon Defense increase radon awareness each day and offer radon testing and radon mitigation to help prevent and fight against the effects of radon exposure.

Poster entries are accepted from March through October. If you'd like the schools in your community to get involved, visit the National Radon Poster Contest website for more information.

Here are the 2nd and 3rd place posters, and an honorable mention.

Even Amidst A Decreasing EPA Budget Radon Protection Must Continue

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:56:26 -0500

Lisa P. Jackson, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is speaking about the President’s recent plan to cut 13% of the EPA’s funds. However, we must keep in mind it’s up to each individual to protect against the effects of radon exposure. Is lung cancer in your proposed budget? Can an individual’s actions toward radon testing and radon abatement make the EPA’s efforts less effective? Let’s hope not.

On February 15 of this year, Jackson voiced her opinion of the newly proposed budget saying, “He’s [Obama’s] made sure that EPA can continue to safeguard the air we breathe, the water we drink and the places where we build our homes, and that the American people will continue to get the protections they deserve.”

Although on March 3 she said that the current budget cut, though severe, still allows for the EPA to perform its major responsibilities, and at this point the EPA cannot endure further cuts.
So if Congress slashed EPA’s funding, concentrations of harmful pollution would increase from current levels in the places Americans live, work, go to school, fish, hike, and hunt. The result would be more asthma attacks, more missed school and work days, more heart attacks, more cancer cases, more premature deaths, and more polluted waters.

With that being said, can you imagine what the world would be like without the help and protection of the EPA? The EPA has been the major contributor toward raising awareness about the dangers of radon exposure. Jackson isn’t exaggerating when she says the overall health across the U.S. would plummet without the EPA’s fulfillment of its responsibilities—which unfortunately does cost money.

Just as the EPA has a responsibility to the citizens of this country, we each have a responsibility to those living within our homes—and this responsibility is ours, the EPA has done their part in regards to radon.

The EPA cannot remove radon from each grain of uranium in soil. So it’s up to us to test our homes, contact radon abatement experts to evaluate the levels, and notify our friends, our bosses, our co-workers, and anyone else about the importance of radon testing. The information is available, but it’s up to us make the decision.

Do you need to re-evaluate your budget? If you don’t want an expert to come out to your home, purchase a do-it-yourself test kit. If the results come back at or above the EPA’s recommended action level, you have a choice to make. If you choose against mitigation, you’ve chosen that the efforts of the EPA aren’t in fact as necessary as they feel and express to our government. You’ve chosen to make a potential investment in treating instead of preventing lung cancer.

Can the EPA withstand further budget cuts?—of course not. Now let’s not give the wrong impression. Radon is a serious problem and the EPA works very hard to inform homeowners of its dangers. The EPA is a wonderful lifeline we’re all thankful to have, let’s hope their budget remains in tact.

The Most Important Way To Test A Home and Its Health

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:00:57 -0500

Most of us are familiar with the analogy that compares a house to the human body. Houses need to breathe just like humans do, so their ventilation is analogous to a body’s respiration. Houses and humans rely on protective skins to shed moisture and keep out germs, and right beneath that skin we’ve got varying levels of insulation (too much in many humans; too little in many houses). Humans have ways of cooling off and keeping warm, just like houses do.

We humans go to the doctors for our checkups and put into action their recommendations in order to alleviate any issues and correct the imbalance. Similarly, it takes several experts to perform the regular checkups on our houses. From the help of energy auditors, pest control experts, and radon mitigation contractors—homeowners have ample ways to keep their homes healthy and safe.

Of all the tests and inspections a house can undergo, none is more important than a radon test. Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that comes from rocks and soil. Exposure to radon can cause cancer –especially lung cancer. In fact, radon is responsible for at least 21,000 deaths in the U.S. every year.

Testing a house for high radon concentrations is an absolute necessity when protecting family members from radon’s potentially lethal exposure. There is good news-- testing is inexpensive and easy, and radon levels can be almost always be reduced to acceptable levels.

Using proven and reliable techniques, an experienced radon contractor can design an abatement system that eliminates all but tiny amounts of radon gas from indoor air.

When a radon abatement system is installed, it’s a “once-and-done” repair that will perform perfectly as long as the system’s fan can operate. In a typical system, the fan is the only item that can wear out, which is why maintenance is always a good idea.

Not all human ailments can be permanently cured, no matter what medicines and therapies are administered. But dangerous radon exposure does have a permanent cure. That’s why it’s critical to have your house tested, and to enlist the services of an experienced radon mitigation contractor if hazardous exposure levels are detected.

Every Year 21000 People Share the Same Nightmare Will You Wake Up

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:53:00 -0500

It's strange enough sharing a nightmare with one other person, but it's even stranger when 21,000 people become destined to never wake up again after having shared that same nightmare—the radon nightmare.

There aren't any symptoms—until it's too late. And up until recently, the severity of such a nigh stalker had otherwise been detained. The word is out and the news is spreading.

Radon is a silent killer, but only to those not on the offensive. It's up to all of us to spread the word and test our homes, jobs, gyms, schools, and everywhere else we spend the majority of our time.

Here's an example of one family waking up during the nightmare, before it was too late.

The Morgans built a home about 20 years ago in a safe and quiet area that was seemingly perfect for raising their four children—but what they hadn't known about their new home could have killed them.

It was only by chance, they said, that they even tested their home for radon—not everyone is so lucky. But there's more. The Morgans received the results of their home's radon test, and the air within their basement walls measured a dangerous 87 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). This is nearly 22 times the action level set by the Environmental Protection Agency-- 4.0 pCi/L

Thankfully, this is a story with a happy ending. But, not many are so lucky because radon exposure can lead to lung cancer. In fact, it's the leading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers, killing one person every 25 minutes; 21,000 a year.

What's wild is that, at those levels, the Morgans were potentially being exposed to dangers equivalent to smoking 217 cigarettes a day. 1 pCi/L of radon is equal to 2.5 cigarettes a day, and 2.5 times their radon level of 87 is 217! It’s a miracle the Morgans were spared!

How many people are willing to test their chances? Are you?

Contact a trusted member of the National Radon Defense network to have your home tested today! We are the radon experts that can help. We provide radon testing and radon abatement near you.

A Life Saving Test That is Only 20 Dollars

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:23:49 -0500

Regular medical checkups are important, along with standard tests to check blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and screen for prostate cancer and diabetes. Doctors and patients alike appreciate the value of detecting potential health risks in advance so that preventative medicine and proper therapies can be applied.

There's one life-saving test that any homeowner can perform without a doctor's appointment. Although it's not covered by health insurance policies, it only costs about $20. If you haven’t already guessed, we're talking about the radon test kit that can be used on any house.

What is Radon Exactly?

Radon is a major health hazard just like heart disease, but it's not as immediately lethal as carbon monoxide-- another indoor air pollutant. It is however radioactive, which makes radon take a bit more time to damage human tissue making it the leading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers. Every year, radon exposure causes an estimated 21,000 deaths in the U.S.

Not only is radon a major health hazard, it's also nearly impossible to detect without a tester and its home-specific meaning the radon levels within your neighbors' homes have no bearing on the exposure levels that might be existing in your own house. That's why living in a house and not knowing its radon levels is similar to playing Russian roulette-- you've got no idea to what degree you're being exposed to this invisible, odorless, toxic gas. All this stress being put on your mind and body can be prevented, you just need to have your house tested for radon.

Radon Testing

Yes, you can certainly schedule an appointment with a radon mitigation expert to perform a radon test, but it's also possible to purchase your own radon test kit and test your home yourself. This is a great option for some homeowners not wanting to make an appointment or having to worry about a contractor. Be sure to let family members know about this in-home test, because it could save their lives. Simply review the basic testing instructions to ensure accurate results.

After Testing

Once you've tested your home, a lab will be responsible for sending you the results. If the test results come in above the Environmental Protection Agency's acceptable threshold of 4.0 pCi/L-- DON'T panic. This is when you have to contact an expert install a radon abatement system. An experienced radon contractor, like those affiliated with National Radon Defense, will design and install an effective system.

The whole radon abatement process is quite basic: A small fan attached to a network of plastic pipes sucks radon-rich air from the basement or crawl space and exhausts it to the outside of the house. Experienced radon contractors will know how many suction points are required, where they need to be located, and what size fan should be used.

If you haven't had your house tested for radon, don't put yourself or your family at risk any longer. A $20 test can save lives-- order one today.

Healthy Housing Expert Exposes The Truth About Radon and Lung Cancer to Dr Oz

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:14:36 -0500

Omaha, NE – Dr. Oz is welcoming Rebecca Morley, a healthy home expert, and a family affected by radon induced lung cancer, to his show on February 10, 2011 to discuss the facts about radon and lung cancer. Facts that experts at National Radon Defense expose on a daily basis. Radon induced lung cancer kills 21,000 people each year and is virtually unnoticeable before having a home tested.

President of National Radon Defense, Curt Drew says; “This is the kind of awareness we need to keep spreading the facts about radon exposure.”

On NBC at 3 p.m. EST, Rebecca Morley the executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) will be on the Dr. Oz show alongside a family that has been affected by radon induced lung cancer. They will be speaking about the hazards of radon exposure. Although radon induced lung cancer kills thousands each year, many people are still unaware of the facts about radon.

National Radon Defense is a nationally recognized network of radon experts who test for and mitigate homes of high radon levels. Unfortunately, it is still difficult to make the world aware of how simple it is to test and reduce the radon. It is equally difficult to convey the severe repercussions to neglecting radon testing, which is why so many people are still dying from radon exposure.

Rebecca Morley, MSPP helps make homes healthy and safe. She has lead recovery initiatives after Hurricanes Katrina and is a published author of housing hazard articles.

Contact National Radon Defense today and find a local radon mitigator to test for and reduce radon levels in homes, schools, at work and other buildings.

The Best Time To Test For Radon

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:06:52 -0500

It’s now!

If you’ve been hearing about how the indoor air quality is continuing to diminish, then you’ve also been hearing about radon.

Radon testing becomes all the more important since radon is seemingly undetectable by any of the human senses. Once you hear about radon and develop some questions about the radon levels in your home, at your job or in your children’s school, it’s probably about the time you had those places tested.

The winter is the most ideal time of year for radon testing. Most buildings are tightly sealed, trapping the radon inside. By testing during the winter, you’ll see radon at its worst. Unfortunately, this is how much radon your family has potentially been exposed to in winter’s past.

Many homeowners run air conditioners during the summer, also making these months pretty ideal for radon testing.

Whether winter, summer, spring, or fall, radon is present during them all!

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smoker and kills an estimated 21,000 people each year. It's an odorless, colorless, tasteless, gas that is the result of uranium decay in soil. It enters into buildings through cracks and small entryways and can accumulate to unhealthy levels. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action once the radon levels reach 4.0 picoCuries per Liter-- though it's been said that most levels of radon are unsafe.

Contact one of National Radon Defense's radon mitigation experts and we’ll have your home well on its way to being healthy and comfortable in no time.

Radon and the Academy Awards

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:09:00 -0500

Are you leaning toward “True Grit” or “The King’s Speech” for best picture? Or maybe you’re a big fan of “The Fighter.” Regardless of your favorite 2010 movie and your level of interest in the Academy Awards, you know that this Hollywood fanfare will be hard to escape over the next few weeks.

So what does radon have to do with the movies? I’m glad you asked. In the movie script I’m talking about, radon is a mysterious villain threatening the health and well-being of an unsuspecting family. That’s right: The bad guy in this story is a hidden killer, a biohazard that you can’t see, smell or hear. Unknowingly, family members are sharing their home with an invisible gas that is slowly and secretly degrading their bodies, cell by cell.

OK, this probably sounds like the script for a 3rd-rate horror movie. But it’s a true story that can apply to communities across the country, wherever there’s a family that hasn’t yet tested their house for radon. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over 21,000 people die every year in the U.S. from exposure to radon, the leading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers. And true to the horror movie genre, radon exposure can be surprisingly random. Your neighbor’s house may test out at very low levels, while your house shows much higher and more hazardous concentrations. Radon gas comes from the soil and from rocks, and is found all over the world.

Fortunately, this movie can have a happy ending. It’s easy to test your house for radon or call in a radon mitigation specialist who can test it for you. Either way, test results are usually very accurate provided that basic testing instructions are followed. If testing reveals an exposure level above 4 picocuries per liter, (4pCi/L), the EPA recommends installing a radon abatement system; however, some families are adhering to the lower exposure threshold of 2.7pCi/L recommended by the World Health Organization.

Sticking with our happy ending theme, it’s important to note that this killer can be forever banished from the house using proven, well-established abatement techniques. Regardless of the “action threshold” you choose, protecting family members and friends from harmful radon exposure can be done affordably and effectively by an experienced radon specialist. The contractor will design and install an abatement system that sucks radon-laden air from beneath your home’s foundation and exhausts it into the atmosphere where it can’t do any harm.

A radon reduction system just has a single moving part –the exhaust fan—so it works continuously and reliably. If you haven’t had your home tested for radon, do it now so that the movie you’re starring in can have a happy ending. Encourage your friends to do the same.

Tell Your Friends About Radon

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:31:32 -0500

Look there’s a sale! And, how bout that new Mustang? Sure, the sales save some green and the Mustang is just all around a vehicular work of art…but do we spend enough time raising awareness about health tips and warnings?

Maybe you think everything causes cancer so pick your poison, or perhaps you’re a skeptic and need more proof before you tag your name to the next health alert. You believe life shouldn’t be experienced with fear so when it comes to the health warnings, you just can’t handle talking about them all.

Well, as understandable as each of the above statements may be, they’re also the reasons why thousands of people unknowingly live in homes with radon that’s slowly killing them.

Reality

When we don’t share with our friends, family, coworkers, and anyone else for that matter, they may never hear the truth and may die because someone chose not to share. This isn’t meant to offend or start a scare, but it’s the truth. Just like we will have to face all the other grim facts of life, we have to take the facts and boldly share.

Facts

Radon gas exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst nonsmokers killing 21,000 people each year. This toxic gas is virtually unrecognizable and even exposure in small amounts can pollute your body. Unfortunately, lung cancer is the leading killing cancer as well as the least funded cancer. So, for all of those people getting lung cancer from radon, the likelihood of survival is quite minimal.

Solution

The good news is that there are radon contractors across the nation helping homeowners like you. These radon mitigation experts come and test your home’s radon levels and then provide repairs to your home and install a radon mitigation system so that your home’s radon levels are as low as possible.

Radon enters into homes through tiny cracks and crevices and because homes are tightly sealed during the winter, the radon that’s already been accumulating in your home is now being trapped.

Contact a radon specialist in your area to learn more about radon and to have your home tested and mitigated. The experts at National Radon Defense care about raising radon awareness all throughout the year and are ecstatic that the Environmental protection Agency has declared January as radon action awareness month.

Spread the word, it could save a life.

January is National Radon Action Month

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:20:39 -0500

Cold winter temperatures in many parts of the country have families hunkered down in their homes, keeping windows and doors closed so that living spaces can stay as warm as possible. This protracted indoor time has predictable consequences that we’re well aware of: more hours devoted to TV and home computer use, greater popcorn consumption, and plenty of time to connect with friends by phone or Facebook.

One potentially hazardous effect of spending more time indoors is greater exposure to radon gas that seeps out of soil and rocks beneath a house and then accumulates in a tightly closed house. That’s why it’s fitting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared January as National Radon Action Month.

Now more than ever, it’s important to have your house tested to find out if remediation strategies are necessary to protect family members from dangerous exposure levels. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, causing over 21,000 cancer deaths per year.

Since radon gas is invisible and odorless, it’s easy to overlook. But it’s estimated that at least one in 15 homes in the U.S. has dangerously high radon levels. Millions of Americans are being exposed to this cancer-causing gas without knowing it. The EPA recommends that radon gas concentration greater than 4 picocuries per liter (4 pCi/L) present a serious health hazard and should be reduced using established ventilation strategies.

To push for greater safety across the country, the EPA and eight other federal agencies are cooperating to strengthen the fight against radon exposure. This broad-based initiative involves the General Services Administration, and the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, and Veterans Affairs. Throughout the country, special attention will be focused on low-income families who may not have the resources to make radon mitigation repairs.

You can take part in this nation wide initiative. Make sure to have your house tested for radon if it hasn’t been tested before, or if it's been two years since the last testing. It’s also good to encourage your neighbors to do the same. The good news about radon is that testing can be done accurately and inexpensively to ascertain a home’s radon risk. If your home's radon levels are high, an experienced radon mitigation contractor will be able to utilize proven techniques to reduce radon exposure below the 4.0 pCi/L threshold.

Radon is Identified as a Major Environmental Hazard in Presidents Cancer Panel Report

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:50:35 -0500

The President’s Cancer Panel Report was completed in 2010 and continues to motivate health professionals, public officials and homeowners to take a closer look at the many environmental factors that are linked to cancer-related illnesses and deaths throughout the country. Among these many factors, radon gas is recognized as major cause of cancer, directly linked to over 21,000 deaths per year.

Health experts as well as public officials praised the Cancer Panel Report as the most comprehensive overview of the environmental factors that can cause cancer. Although panel members (doctors, scientists and other cancer experts) stress that the report is not meant to scare people, their findings clearly point out that environmental contaminants and conditions have been grossly underestimated as causes of cancer. For example, of the approximate 80,000 chemicals currently in use in the United States today, only about 200 of these have been evaluated for health and safety. As another example, very little is known about the long-term effects of cell phone use. Even though a typical cell phone produces only minute amounts of electromagnetic radiation, many parents worry about having children exposed to this radiation from such an early age.

The need for further research looms large if we are to reduce cancer deaths attributable to environmental factors. But radon is an environmental carcinogen about which a great deal of useful information is known. This naturally occurring radioactive gas is emitted by the soil and rocks throughout the U.S. and around the world. In the confined area of a crawl space or basement, radon gas can reach dangerous concentrations that permeate into the living space above. Exposure to this radioactive gas poses a serious cancer risk. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke.

Since it’s invisible and odorless, radon gas is often overlooked as a health hazard. But it’s estimated that nearly 8 million homes in the U.S. (1 out of every 15), have radon levels above the 4 pCi/L (4 picocuries per liter) "action" limit recommended by the Environmental Protection agency. A simple, reliable, inexpensive test (performed by the homeowner or by a radon mitigation contractor) can determine a home’s radon level. If your house hasn’t been tested for radon, get it tested as soon as possible. If the test shows radon levels above 4 pCi/L, contact an experienced radon mitigation contractor right away. The contractor will be able to use proven abatement techniques to lower exposure levels and protect your family from this cancer-causing gas.

A Short Radon History Lesson

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:34:04 -0500

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a forerunner in the radon industry leading the way for researchers and awareness initiatives regarding the effects of radon exposure.

Knowledge is power and the EPA wants everyone to have the power over their health. Although we cannot distinguish radon by using any of our senses, we can have the power. We don't have to feel helpless.

First, test your home's radon levels. The EPA recommends mitigating any home with levels at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter. Although any amount of radon could cause cancer, the lower the better. The EPA estimates that 1 in 15 homes across the U.S. have 4.0 pCi/L of radon. In fact, they've also had some homes with more than 2,000 pCi/L! Can you imagine?

So let's investigate the history of radon.

In 1899 Ernest Rutherford and R.B. Owens founded radon-220 a rare isotope of the more common radon-222, which would later be discovered by Friedrich E. Dorn the next year. This radon-222 is radioactive and the natural result of radium-226, which is in most rock and soil compositions.

The scientists had been studying the decay of radium only to discover that radioactive elements actually become lighter elements, since radon decays into polonium.

Radon is the heaviest of all gases and is considered a noble gas on the periodic chart. This means it is one of six gases all with very similar characteristics and considerably low chemical reactivity. All the noble gasses are odorless and colorless. Radon, however, became recognized as a serious problem in 1984 after radon decay particulates were discovered on a nuclear plant worker's clothing. He entered the plant and set off an alarm for having a noticeable radioactive charge-- before even entering the plant! The particulates were thought to have been originating in his home.

This man's encounter is very similar to us all. We don't know radon is present within our very own home, job or school! Although radon is outside as well, its concentration is quite low at about.4 pCi/L. The problem arises when radon seeps into homes from the soil and through cracks. Once inside, the radon volumes intensify because of the confined space.

We inhale radon and the particles stick to the lining in our lungs. Being toxic, radon actually causes lung cancer. It's the leading cause of lung cancer amongst nonsmokers. Radon induced lung cancer actually kills more people annually than colon, prostate and breast cancer combined. Unfortunately, people are unaware of the severity of radon and lung cancer in general, which leads to the uncanny number of cases and low number of research dollars. The amount of money per death is about 5-18 times less than other cancers.

Contact the radon experts at National Radon Defense and we'll test your home's radon levels and provide the perfect radon mitigation system for your home. We want you to be happy and healthy. Knowledge is power and we're proud to be the messengers.

How Your Radon System Will Look

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:53:35 -0500

The first concern for homeowners who learn that their house has high levels of radon is simple: “How soon can we get a radon mitigation system installed to make the house safer?” The good news here is the goal of lowering radon exposure to EPA-recommended levels can usually be achieved with a high degree of certainty. Most communities have access to a number of radon mitigation experts who have been trained to utilize well-established radon reduction techniques.

In Image: Valuable options. The exhaust stack for this radon system extends through the soffit rather than running around the eave. The fan motor is protected and concealed behind a cover. Once paint is applied to match the siding color, this system will blend in well with the rest of the house.

So what’s the second concern when having a radon abatement system installed? Many homeowners who have had systems installed will tell you that the appearance of the finished system is very important. Inside and outside the house, the large plastic pipe that carries radon gas away from the house can be an eyesore if the contractor and homeowner aren’t attentive to aesthetic considerations.

Attention to appearance-related details is frequently the factor that separates a low-priced bid for an abatement system from a higher-priced bid. Saving a few hundred dollars isn’t worth it if your radon system sticks out like a sore thumb and detracts from your home’s curb appeal. Here are a few aesthetic considerations to discuss with the contractor before you decide to have a radon abatement system installed.

•    Plan ahead in the basement. If part of the basement has been finished or will be in the future, the contractor can try to route pipe runs in unfinished areas. This may add to the system cost because more labor and materials will be required, but many homeowners prefer to spend a little more so that large plastic pipe won’t be visible in a finished room.

•    Exterior pipe runs can be camouflaged. The standard installation strategy is to run the radon system’s vertical exhaust stack outside the house, secured to the exterior siding. Locating the exhaust stack against a back wall or behind a bush that’s close to the house will make it less noticeable than installing the stack on the front of the house. A skilled radon gas contractor can run the stack through the exterior soffit rather than around it –another option that enhances appearance. The stack should also be painted to match the color of the siding. For an outside installation, it’s worth asking about a cover that will conceal the fan shroud and base of the stack. National Radon Defense contractors offer all of these aesthetic options.

•    Interior-routed systems usually cost more. To minimize the visual impact of a radon system, the exhaust stack can run inside the house, providing that the contractor can keep the pipe run concealed in closets, duct chases, or in other unobtrusive areas. The fan motor is typically located in the attic, and the only visible evidence of a radon system outside the house will be the short pipe stack that extends through the roof. Keeping the vent stack inside the house is usually more expensive than outside installations.

•    Bottom line: Extra care is worth extra investment. Once your radon system is installed, you’ll have to live with it for as long as you own the house. A contractor who takes the time and trouble to make the installation attractive and unobtrusive will probably charge more, but the result will be a feature that increases, rather than decreases the value of your home.

What You Think When You Read the Facts about Radon

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 11:23:20 -0500

It could be a bit overwhelming reading about radon. It's not the friendliest gas around and it's not exactly comforting to be around either. So, what really goes on inside your mind when you're reading about this silent killer? There are several kinds of natural responses out there, despite what you're thinking-- what do you do? Can we do something more to help? Let us know!

The members of National Radon Defense are no different from you, we all want to be protected against the effects of radon exposure and we want to help others from suffering unnecessary pain. Radon was a new concept once to us as well. We know what it's like and we want to help you understand what radon is and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

There are the people who read the tragic facts about radon and they get scared, anxious, worried, and in a sense-- they freak out. What if my house has high levels? What if I have lung cancer? What if, what if, what if…

You could drive yourself crazy living in a world of what ifs. Don't torture yourself even more by creating the worst scenario in your mind. We were all scared upon first hearing about radon. It's not that you're being unreasonable, we just want you to get some answers and put the what ifs to rest.

While some people are scared when they read about radon, others just ignore the facts and don't respond at all. If you look at the Environmental Protection Agency's radon zone map and you feel as though you live in a low risk area, please don't think this means that every house is safe. Even in high risk zones there will be some safe homes. So please do something when you hear about radon. Don't compare your home to anyone else's. We care about your home's radon levels and we want to do everything in our power to protect you against the harmful effects of radon exposure.

Although there may be differing responses to radon, our results are consistent and successful. Let us relieve your concerns. We know we can reduce your home's radon levels to a healthy amount.

When you contact the National Radon Defense member near you, they can answer any of your questions, test your home's radon levels, provide a radon mitigation estimate, and explain how to maintain low levels of radon within your home.

Contact us today and schedule to have one of our radon mitigation experts come and test your home and provide radon mitigation services.

Understanding the Cost of a Radon Abatement System

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:43:36 -0500

If you find out that your house needs a radon abatement system, it’s understandable that you’d want to get bids from different radon mitigation contractors. Once those bids come in, it will be tempting to go with the lowest number, especially if the bids vary by several hundred dollars. After all, the typical radon reduction system is just a network of plastic pipe, connected to a fan that sucks radon gas from below the house and expels it outside. What explains the difference between high and low bids, and why is your system projected to cost more than the one your neighbor put in?

While it’s true that the components and function of a radon mitigation system are pretty basic, there are a number of factors that can make one system more expensive than another. As with other home improvements, you often get what you pay for. Here’s a brief summary of what an experienced radon mitigation specialist considers when designing a system.

•    House size and design. As the area covered by the foundation increases, you can expect the cost of a radon system to increase as well. When a house has a basement that is connected to one or more crawl space foundations, this usually makes the radon system more complex and more expensive.

•    Sub-slab soil conditions. Many building codes require concrete slabs to be poured over a base of compacted gravel, and this is a good thing for radon abatement. Air spaces throughout the gravel base provide good airflow, allowing a single penetration through the slab to exert radon-extracting suction over a broad area. If the slab was poured directly on dense, compacted soil, more slab penetrations will be necessary to achieve the same suction coverage.

•    Existing foundation conditions. Cracks in foundation walls and floors can allow large amounts of radon gas to leak inside a foundation. The same is true for sump pits. To effectively extract radon gas from below the house, a contractor will need to seal most of these leakage points. It may be necessary to fit an airtight cover over a sump pit or install a new sump pump that comes with one. Since the same cracks that admit radon gas often admit water, some homeowners choose to combine waterproofing with radon mitigation. Although this adds to the expense, it’s often a wise choice. In either case, sealing a leaky foundation adds to the expense of a radon system.

•    Obstacles. An open, unfinished basement will make it easy for the contractor to install the plastic pipe that brings radon gas outside the house. When there are obstructions like finished partition walls, HVAC equipment and shelving or closet space, pipe installation will be more time-consuming and longer pipe runs may be necessary.

•    Aesthetics. Will the pipe be exposed outside the house, mounted against an exterior wall? Perhaps the homeowner prefers to have an interior installation, keeping the pipe’s exhaust stack concealed inside closets or chases, then exiting through the roof. An interior installation usually looks better, but will cost more because the contractor must run the pipe through finished parts of the house.

The Faces of Radon Induced Lung Cancer

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:21:33 -0500

Maybe you've heard about the prevalence of lung cancer. I'm almost certain you've heard of the presence cancer has across the globe. Although we hear about the victims and the miraculous survivor stories, we don't always understand the causes and preventative measures. We may not even believe cancer can happen to anyone because we haven't experienced this heinous disease first-hand.

Battling any illness is hard enough, but the worst part may just be the ambiguity of not knowing where it came from or how to protect others from experiencing the same pain. When it comes to lung cancer, most cases are deemed the result of smoking or exposure to second hand smoke-- but this isn't the case for everyone.

When a person is diagnosed with lung cancer and claims to have never smoked and has never lived with a smoker, the cause of lung cancer becomes a bit more of a mystery.

About 20,000 people die each year from radon induced lung cancer and the stories may have differing details, but the underlying cause remains the same-- radon.

Each story is heart wrenching. Each story hits closer and closer to home. Each story is told to show the reality that normal every day people have died because their home had high levels of radon. The worst part is that there is a way to prevent radon induced lung cancer. By contacting a local radon mitigation contractor and having radon testing done in your home, you can reduce the radon levels in your home. In addition, limit smoking or the presence of smoke in your home; you can reduce the likelihood of acquiring radon induced lung cancer.

Radon has a face now-- it isn't this thing we can't see. We can see its impact on the lives of thousands. Read the stories of those who courageously fought and chose to share their experience with radon. Visit CanSAR's website and read more about these courageous radon stories.

Dont Try This at Home Radon Mitigation Is Not for Do it Yourselfers

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:26:56 -0500

It’s understandable for a homeowner with above-average do it yourself (DIY) experience to contemplate saving some money by tackling radon mitigation on his or her own. After all, the white plastic “PVC” pipe used to carry radon gas outside the house is available at any home center or building supply outlet. Plastic fittings and pipe sections can be easily welded together with pipe solvent, and the in-line fans used to pull radon gas up and away from the house can be purchased online.

So why not bypass the radon abatement contractor and do the job yourself? The main rewards are obvious: you save some money and gain the satisfaction of ridding your house of a major health hazard all on your own. But there are some fairly major disadvantages to DIY radon mitigation, so make sure to consider the following factors:

•    Special tools are required. If you don’t own a heavy duty hammer drill, jack hammer and hole saw, you’ll have to rent these tools to do the work. This isn’t just an added expense; it’s also risky if you’re not experienced in using this kind of heavy equipment.

•    How many penetrations, and where? Effectively reducing radon levels in a basement or crawlspace depends on knowing where to penetrate the concrete slab and reach into the soil, and on knowing how many extraction points are necessary. While it’s possible to make an educated guess about these factors, a radon mitigation contractor with hundreds of installations under his belt will have jobsite knowledge a DIYer can’t match.

•    It’s risky to make holes in your house. To bring a radon system’s plastic pipe outside, it’s usually necessary to drill big holes through the side of the house and through the roof. If you make a mistake when drilling, you could hit an electrical wire or plumbing pipe. If you don’t flash the roof penetration correctly, you’ll have a leak that will cause interior damage.

•    Where’s your warranty? If something goes wrong with a DIY radon system, you don’t have anyone to call. A reputable radon mitigation contractor will offer a standard warranty as well as a maintenance plan that ensures proper system performance over time.

•    How much are you REALLY saving? When you subtract the cost of materials and renting tools, a DIY solution to a radon problem may not save much money. Remember that a radon specialist gets lower prices that you do on all the necessary materials.

If you’re an avid DIYer, don’t put away your tools yet. You can still have a hand in radon mitigation, even if you hire an experienced radon mitigation contractor to do the work. Talk with your contractor about options for routing the pipe to minimize fan noise and visual impact. When the job is done, you may want to paint the plastic pipe or box it in to make it less visible in your house.

Radon in Nebraska Is A Growing Concern

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:04:12 -0500

A few years ago, some of the world's leading organizations conducted testing and research on radon gas, in order to provide an authoritative idea of the threat this gas poses. The World Health Organization, Environmental Protection Agency, National Radon Defense, and Air Chek, Inc. all acknowledge that radon is a group A carcinogen. They also recommend testing and mitigation.

Background Information

This infamous gas is peering into homes around the world, wreaking havoc on homeowners. It goes unnoticed because it's virtually undetectable by human senses. Radon doesn't have a smell, color, form, or taste. This is precisely why so many people have reported living in homes their entire lives that are harboring high levels of radon, or even moderate or low levels.

Whether you live in Nebraska or India, radon is everywhere because it results from the decay of uranium in soil. During this process, polonium is released and the gas' toxicity rises through the roof.

In addition, radon is measured by picocuries per liter, pCi/L. Here are two very real and very relatable statistics about this gas.

1 pCi/L of radon is equal to 2.5 cigarettes a day. Also, 4.0 pCi/L is equal to the radiation being projected by 100 chest x-rays, when the average hospital allows only four per year for a total of.64 pCi/L. Unfortunately, the action level for radon is 4.0 pCi/L and many people don't realize the harmful effects that lower levels are still capable of having on homeowners.

Radon in Nebraska...

Visit Thrasher Basement Systems for this entire article about the growing need for radon mitigation in Nebraska and click here for radon contractors in Nebraska.

Radon Mitigation May Reduce Lung Cancer Cases

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:15:00 -0500

As lung cancer cases are on the rise, there becomes a growing concern regarding the appropriate preventative measures beyond not smoking. Although most cancers come as a shocking diagnosis, there are many people searching for ways to prevent getting cancer.

The first statement out of the mouths of most doctors or even a concerned friend upon hearing the diagnosis is: "did you smoke?" As many lung cancer victims and survivors could attest, not everyone with lung cancer smokes. In fact, there's a gap of about 10-15 percent of lung cancer patients who have never smoked. So, what's the deal?

It's been estimated that about 3,000 Americans die from lung cancer induced by secondhand smoke. However, as leaders in the radon testing and radon mitigation industries, National Radon Defense is an avid believer in the dangers that radon exposure presents to any and all people around the world-- the highest concern being lung cancer.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 20,000 people die each year from radon-induced cancer. If you combine the victims from lung cancer induced by radon and secondhand smoke, you'll find 23,000 people-- this is 14.375 percent of the 160,000 lung cancer victims per year. That gap we talked about before may have just been filled.

Although there's been an increase in the awareness and research funding for other cancers, that's unfortunately not the case for lung cancer. Despite the fact that lung cancer kills more people each year than the top four other cancers combined, it has the least amount of funding for research and the lowest survival rate amongst other cancers-- at about 15 percent.

True, 90 percent of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, but 23,000 people die each year of lung cancer induced by radon exposure, secondhand smoke or other causes. They all need help finding a cure and it seems that many don't want to help treat those with a "self-induced" disease. Fortunately, Canada has recently released studies suggesting that lung cancer induced by smoking may be a completely different disease than the lung cancer amongst non-smokers and thus each disease deserves a unique treatment. Perhaps this will improve some funding and research for the non-smoking group of cancer patients.

National Radon Defense wants to prevent radon from entering your home. We do this by encouraging builders to install radon prevention systems at the initial building of a home. We also want to find the radon and reduce it before it causes any problem. So, we test and mitigate homes until their radon levels are as low as possible. Radon is invisible, unscented, and tasteless. Please have your home tested and mitigated. We want to help lower the number of radon-induced lung cancer cases, and the best part is-- we believe we can!

Radon Mitigation System Buying Tips

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:26:15 -0500

Your radon test results are in, and there’s some bad news as well as some good news. Let’s deal with the bad news first: The test shows that radon levels in your house are well above 4pCi/l (4 picocuries per liter), the EPA’s threshold for acceptable exposure levels. To protect family members from the cancer-causing effects of radon exposure, you need to have a radon mitigation system installed.

Now for the good news: Thanks to proven, well-established techniques, it’s a sure bet that an experienced radon mitigation contractor will be able to lower the radon levels in your house to 4pCi/l or less. Having a radon reduction system installed will not only protect your family’s health; it will also make your house more marketable when it’s time to sell your property.

Next step: Choose a radon mitigation contractor. Since radon is such a prevalent problem, it’s usually not all that difficult to find a number of different radon removal experts in your area. But how much should you be willing to pay, and what considerations are most important when choosing a radon mitigation contractor? The following factors can help you decide.

•    Cost. If you have to choose between the prices of different contractors' radon reduction systems, don’t be surprised if the estimates vary by several hundred dollars or more. As with many other goods and services, the lowest price is often not the bargain that it seems to be.

•    Experience and technical support. A contractor who belongs to a national network or franchise will have access to special products, training and technical support. These resources (which independent contractors lack) provide a significant advantage in designing and installing radon systems. Although a franchise –like National Radon Defense, for example—may charge a bit more than an independent local contractor, the quality and dependability of the work could potentially be better.

•    Appearance. Large-diameter plastic pipe and a large in-line fan are essential elements of a typical radon mitigation system, but they don’t have to create an eyesore on the outside of your house. When you opt for the least expensive radon system, you often don’t get a choice of where the pipe and fan will be located. To keep costs low, the contractor may install the pipe and fan in a very visible location. The most cost-effective location may also put the fan right next to a bedroom, which most people don’t appreciate. A more experienced, better-trained radon mitigation contractor will give you options for running the pipe inside the house and up through the roof, or in less visible locations outside the house. The cost may be slightly higher because of longer pipe runs, but you’ll definitely appreciate the better appearance and lower noise levels.

•    Follow-up service. The typical radon mitigation system is simple and reliable. The fan is the only item that has potential to experience a little wear-and-tear. But it’s important for a radon mitigation contractor to offer follow-up services like replacing a worn-out fan or retesting a house after improvements or alterations have already been made.

Radon Mitigation Experts Agree With EPAs Multi Million Dollar Funding to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:29:50 -0400

The Environmental Protection Agency has recently provided $2.4 million to 17 nonprofit organizations and a university in order to spike these organization's research capabilities and additional efforts toward improving indoor air quality-- especially the effects of radon exposure. As a leader for radon testing and radon mitigation, National Radon Defense is supporting the EPA's decision and is continuing to implement all obtainable resources toward the provision of radon home tests and radon mitigation.

The EPA hopes that demonstrations, education projects, trainings, and outreach efforts will be put together to better inform the public of the risks that radon gas exposure poses to people around the world. National Radon Defense couldn't agree more with the importance of such resources.

Gina McCarthy, the assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, is greatly anticipating the benefits of the recent funding initiative and has seen huge value and immediacy in improving indoor air quality.

“American communities face serious health and environmental challenges from air pollution. This effort gives us an opportunity to improve indoor air quality by increasing awareness of environmental health risks,” said Gina McCarthy, the assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.

Radon gas itself is not the carcinogen, but as uranium decays within the soil, polonium and other elements are released and radon gas is produced. This polonium is what collects on the lung and causes cancer. Radon is considered a Group A Carcinogen and is projected to cause one death every 25 minutes.

The EPA hopes that these initiatives will lead to more homes getting tested and mitigated for radon, and that all new homes will be made with radon-resistant features.

National Radon Defense wants every home across the world to be healthy and wants to see a huge drop in the number of radon induced lung cancer cases. If you're interested in having your home tested for radon please contact us today! We want to help you to maintain a safe and healthy home. Contact us today and we'll find a radon mitigation contractor near you. For radon testing and radon mitigation contact us today!

The Good News About Radon

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:56:48 -0400

Most discussions about radon begin with serious and often scary language: “Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the silent killer. Radon gas is a serious health problem that many people don’t know about.”

But as you’ve often heard, there are two sides to every coin. So if you’re worried about the serious health risks of radon exposure in your house, you can stop losing sleep. Here’s some good news about radon that will put your mind at ease.

Radon is easy to detect. Even though it’s invisible and odorless, radon gas can be detected with a high degree of accuracy. DIY kits are available, or you can have a radon mitigation contractor perform a test. As long as basic testing guidelines are followed, you can count on an accurate radon reading.
High radon levels can always be lowered. Even when a house tests out with a very high radon concentration, an experienced radon abatement specialist can use proven techniques to reduce radon concentrations to acceptable levels. In fact, reputable radon specialists will guarantee this reduction following the installation of a radon abatement system.

A well-installed radon mitigation system is foolproof, reliable and affordable. A typical system is designed to extract radon-laden air from soil beneath the house and disperse it into the air outside the house. Maintaining this negative pressure captures and extracts radon before it can make its way into the basement or crawl space. When properly installed, the plastic pipe that transports radon outside is airtight and durable enough to last as long as your house. The only moving parts in a typical system are the blades of a specially designed in-line fan that sucks air from the soil and pushes it through the piping system to the outside. Fans typically last 5-10 years before they need to be replaced.

National Radon Defense will reduce your radon! After the mitigation process performed by any of our trained radon mitigation specialists, you can expect your home to have a lower level of radon at no expense to your comfort. Our dealers offer the utmost respect to your family and property.

Now that’s more than just good news-- it's great! Even though this radioactive gas is the leading cause of cancer among non-smokers, it’s easy to detect and reduce even in a house with high levels of radon.

In fact, Thrasher Basement Systems has mitigated a home that had radon levels around 26-27 pCi/L, which is about seven times the FDA's action level of 4.0 pCi/L. After Thrasher's mitigation, the levels dropped to 1.0pCi/L. So, regardless the amount of radon in your home, National Radon Defense will work to reduce your home's radon levels.

Contact us at National Radon Defense today to find a radon mitigation expert in your area. We'll find a specialist to reduce your home's radon levels and provide you with the perfect radon mitigation resources

Radon Mitigation Experts Remind Homeowners of Radon Awareness This October

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:05:54 -0400

Omaha, NE - This month is being dedicated to radon awareness by one radon mitigation expert, National Radon Defense. October is healthy lungs month, indoor air quality month and the third week in October marks radon action week.

Radon is a hazardous gas that has been invading homes since the dawn of time, but with the increase in scientific research, awareness groups and radon mitigation experts such as National Radon Defense-- homeowners have access to radon information and resources for maintaining a healthy home environment.

Radon is a toxic gas that results from uranium decay in soil found throughout the world. It can easily enter into a home through cracks, crawl spaces and basements. When the gas accumulates in a home it goes unnoticed because of its stealthy characteristics. It's invisible, odorless and tasteless. In other words-- a homeowner will not know about the radon levels in a home without performing a radon test.

This month is being dedicated to radon awareness by one radon mitigation expert, National Radon Defense. As October is healthy lungs month, National Radon Defense is reminding homeowners that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and kills 20,000 people each year. The symptoms can remain latent for 10 to 20 years, which is why it is highly recommended that homeowners have their home tested immediately.

October is also indoor air quality month and according to the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency, the indoor air quality can be significantly worse than the outdoor air quality. When radon enters into a home, one can imagine the air quality will significantly deplete because of the toxicity of this gas.

As October 17 is quickly approaching, it marks the third week in October as radon action week. National Radon Defense urges homeowners, businesses and any other individuals to raise the awareness in their local areas and help to reduce the radon levels inside homes across the United States.

According to leading authorities, 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) is known as a dangerous level of the gas and requires immediate attention. However, some working with the World Health Organization have made it clear that even lower levels of radon are dangerous.

National Radon Defense is the radon mitigation expert in the United States that is fully trained and certified to test homes and conduct radon removal. For more information and resources about radon and its effects, contact National Radon Defense today.

Radon Venting New Requirement In Some TN Cities

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:44:20 -0400

As the effects of extensive radon exposure are becoming more and more apparent, some state authorities are taking the initiative toward preventative measures-- before it's too late. In Mount Juliet, TN the Public Works Department has just required that all newly constructed homes have radon venting.

It's been estimated that 24 percent of Wilson County has an indoor radon level between 2.1 and 3.9 pCi/L, which 18 percent has a level at 4.0 pCi/L or above.

Radon is proven as the second leading cause of lung cancer killing 20,000 people each year. It originates from decaying rock and can be found throughout the world. Radon is radioactive, odorless, colorless, and invisible. Although a severe threat, radon goes unnoticed more often than not because of its allusiveness.

"We have a lot of course features, drop outs, sink holes, fissures in the rock, there is a lot of rock base here," said Marvin Keel, director of Mount Juliet's public works department.

Keel's decision follows suit with neighboring areas of Lebanon, Brentwood, Smyrna and Nolensville. The Public Works Department also estimates the radon venting systems will add $1,000 to $2,000 to each home's price.

Radon testing and radon mitigation are very important to sustaining a healthy and happy home. Be sure to contact us at National Radon Defense and we'll help find a radon mitigation contractor in Tennessee to lower your home's radon levels. Although new homes in these areas are requiring radon venting, there are plenty of homes that have unhealthy radon levels that need to be reduced. Contact us today and we'll find a local radon dealer to come to your assistance.

This information has been made available by WSMV- TV NBC 4. Feel free to view a video of this radon story right here.

Making Your House More Energy Efficient May Affect Radon Levels

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 15:16:31 -0400

Home energy upgrades are more and more popular these days. Tax credits and other incentives help offset the cost of many energy-efficiency upgrades, and people everywhere are interested in making their homes greener by reducing the amount of electricity they use and the quantity of fossil fuel they burn.

One important detail that should not be overlooked when improving energy efficiency is the effect that certain upgrades have on radon levels in the house. Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally and emanates from rock and soil. Because radon exposure can cause cancer, all houses should be tested to make sure radon levels fall below the maximum acceptable level established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

A house with an acceptable radon level --below 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L)—can see radon levels rise to dangerous levels after it has been air-sealed. Air-sealing is a common first step in making a house more energy efficient, because it eliminates most of the air leaks that allow conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to enter the house. A tighter house will be more energy efficient than a leaky house, but it can also enable radon gas to accumulate in higher concentrations. That’s why it’s important to retest for radon after a house is air-sealed and/or after new insulation is added. If a new radon test shows hazardous levels of radon, don’t worry. There are effective, well-established techniques for reducing radon levels, so all you need to do is contact an experienced radon mitigation contractor in your area.

Don’t let the potential for higher radon levels deter you from making a leaky, inefficient house tighter and more energy efficient. Energy upgrades like air sealing, insulation, duct sealing and new HVAC equipment will not only reduce energy use and save money; they’ll also improve interior comfort and air quality. But make sure to perform a new radon test after home energy upgrades so you can be sure your family won’t be exposed to hazardous radon levels.

Radon Isnt a New Fad, Its Old as Dirt

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:48:55 -0400

I tend to notify my family and friends when I learn something new at work, and just last week I thought I'd shoot my dad an email about radon. Prior to working with National Radon Defense, I don't think I ever heard or truly acknowledged radon.

Since it was news to me, I'd figured it must be news to everyone else. I didn't want to think it, but maybe it was just the new fad or bandwagon for businesses to jump on to convince people of the newest problem.

I'm happy to announce that radon is definitely not a new fad. It's literally as old as dirt-- and it's not going anywhere. But, with the new forms of media and the influence of radon experts, the knowledge is finally spreading.

Unfortunately, this gas means serious business, but there are experts who have known about its intentions and been devising the best solutions to rid homes of high radon levels. That's exactly what we do here at National Radon Defense.

Here's a quick story. My father responded to my radon email. He still owns and lives in the home I grew up in and it's been radon-free ever since the home was built some thirty years ago. My father actually said that he has checkups done to the system to be sure its working properly. He even said I used to scan the walls when I was a child trying to locate possible leaks. One way anyone can check for leaks in pipes or joints is by lighting a match and holding it near the pipe or joint. If the flame gets sucked in or blown away then you've found a leak and radon could enter your home. (This isn’t the safest method, and a smoke pencil will safely show you the same.)

Radon isn't the new-found thing that causes cancer, it's always been around. Since it's naturally occurring within the decaying uranium in soil, it's likely to be sticking around for some time. We at National Radon Defense want to help your home stay radon-free. Contact us today and we'll answer your questions and inspect your home to make any necessary repairs to keep out the radon and keep in the pure air.

It surely can be a difficult and scary topic, but the stories can become far more pleasant when radon reduction systems are utilized and knowledge is obtained. As I recently experienced with my father. If you're considering radon mitigation and would like more information, contact National Radon Defense today!

Radon is

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:10:03 -0400

Sneaky. You can’t see it or smell it, so unless you test for it, there’s no telling what your exposure level is. What you can’t see CAN hurt you.

Deadly. In the U.S. about 21,000 deaths per year are attributed to radon gas exposure. Radon is the greatest cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.

Selective. Children and smokers are at much greater risk of developing lung cancer as a result of exposure to radon, but anyone is susceptible.

Everywhere. Elevated radon levels are found in all 50 states in the U.S., all across Canada and around the world. Surveys show that 1 out of 5 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels.

Unpredictable. Neighboring houses may have vastly different radon levels. A new home may have a higher level of radon than an older home. It’s almost always impossible to predict radon levels based on house age and location.

A deal breaker. Selling a house with high radon levels can be difficult or impossible. Most home sales require a radon test to be done before the sale is completed.

Globally recognized. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends reducing radon levels to below 4pCi/L (4 picocuries per liter of air). But the World Health Organization recommends a maximum exposure level of 2.7pCi/L.

Easy and affordable to detect. Radon test kits for homeowners are widely available and easy to use. Alternatively, homeowners can contact a radon mitigation contractor to have a radon test performed.

Not difficult or expensive to remove. Established techniques for radon mitigation have proven to be extremely effective in reducing radon concentrations to recommended levels.

Never going away. If your home hasn’t been tested for radon, the U.S. Surgeon General, EPA, American Lung Association, American Medical Association and National Safety Council all recommend having this test performed right away so that mitigation work can be performed if necessary.

Contact National Radon Defense for Radon Mitigation and Radon Gas Removal!

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:39:34 -0400

The news is spreading about the potential harm radon exposure in a home can cause homeowners and their family members. We at National Radon Defense want to inform you of these risks and provide you with the proper resources for a radon test, the necessary home repairs and removal.

If you're curious about the radon levels in your hometown or state, here are two sites you can visit:

http://state-radon.info/statelist.html
http://www.epa.gov/radon/

REMEMBER: Don't assume that these projected levels are accurate for your particular home's levels. However, the information is an indication of the severity of radon issues throughout the U.S.

Radon would be even scarier if there weren't any way to test for it or to remove the radon from your home.

National Radon Defense has you covered! We'll send a certified radon mitigation expert to your home to perform a radon test. Once the results come in, we can then identify and help repair those areas in your home that could be enabling the high radon levels. Once the repairs are made and the radon levels have been lowered to a healthy amount, you'll be safe from the harmful effects of radon exposure.

We also want to be sure that the radon levels remain at a safe level, so we'd love to conduct maintenance visits throughout the year. This is just another way we can better serve you.

Contact us today with any of your questions regarding radon and radon mitigation. To schedule an appointment for radon mitigation in your home, contact us today!

Radon and Real Estate

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:04:12 -0400

COUNT ON IT: Radon is an important issue for home buyers, home sellers and real estate agents.
Today it's more challenging to buy and sell houses than ever before. Radon is one of many issues that can slow down a real estate transaction if interested parties aren't properly informed and prepared. Here are a few basic guidelines that can help avoid missteps and misunderstandings.

SELLERS should test for radon before putting a house on the market.
Perform a new test if it's been more than two years since the last radon test, or if the house has undergone any major remodeling work that could affect radon levels. If a radon test shows levels above 4.0 picoCuries/liter (pCi/L), radon mitigation is recommended so that the house can go on the market with an effective radon reduction system in place and reduced radon levels.

BUYERS AND BANKS need to know radon levels.
State and/or local regulations may require disclosure of radon information to home buyers, and this information may also be required as a part of a mortgage application. It's especially important for home buyers to know radon levels if there are young children in the family and if all or part of the basement will be used as a major living space.

LOCAL RADON READINGS aren't relevant.
While it's true that certain parts of the country record higher radon levels than others, it's not possible to predict radon levels based on state, local, and even neighborhood test results. Adjacent houses can have different radon levels, so low levels in neighboring houses doesn't justify skipping a radon test.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS should be radon experts.
Although real estate agents are not supposed to offer technical advice regarding radon and health issues unless they are qualified to do so, an agent should be up to date on the basic details that relate to radon in homes. Main points include:

Basic guidelines for proper radon testing.
A basic understanding of how a radon mitigation system works.
Approximate costs for radon testing and radon remediation.
How buyers and sellers can get in touch with local radon remediation contractors.
Proper protocol for sharing test results with interested parties.

HIGH RADON LEVELS don't have to be a deal breaker.
While the health risks of radon exposure are well-documented, so are effective radon mitigation techniques. Radon is, after all, a gas, and radon mitigation systems are designed to safely vent radon gas outside the house. When proven radon reduction techniques are used by experienced radon remediation contractors, it's a sure bet that radon problems can be eliminated.

Radon and Granite Countertops

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:02:29 -0400

Some people have expressed concern that granite countertops may be emitting radon gas and endangering the health of homeowners. While it's true that granite can emit radon gas, the amount of radon exposure that results is negligible. According to Donald Langmuir, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Geochemistry at the Colorado School of Mines, scientific analysis has shown that "the radon release from a granite countertop is orders of magnitude below detection by any known analytical method."

Langmuir goes on to point out that some varieties of granite may emit more radon than others because of unusual porosity, also known as the cracks and fissures that expose interior portions of the rock. But granite or any other stone with these properties, would not be a suitable countertop material unless it was filled and sealed, thus eliminating any radon release problems.