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Know the Risks of High Radon Exposure

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What is radon?

Radon is an odorless, tasteless gas which cannot be seen. Uranium in soils decays creating a radioactive gas – radon – that is said to cause over 20,000 deaths per year (according to the EPA). Radon gas is noxious throughout the U.S.A.
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How does radon get into a home?

Your home acts as a trap for radon gas, allowing it to build up and preventing it from dissipating into the air naturally. Radon can enter through unsealed crawl spaces, cracks in floors and foundation, and the water supply.
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I have a brand new house, can I still have elevated radon levels?

Yes. No matter the age of your home, you can have high radon levels.  “This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements [are at risk for elevated radon levels].” – EPA “A Citizens Guide to Radon.”

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Is radon really that serious of an issue?

Yes. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. 

The Surgeon General Health Advisory in 2005 says: “Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It’s important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques.”

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Are my children at risk?

There is no conclusive data on this matter, but children have been said to be more susceptible to certain types of cancer. If you don’t test your home, you could be putting your children’s safety and life at risk.
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What are my chances of getting lung cancer?

The chances of you getting lung cancer from radon worsen the higher the levels in your home are, when you spend more time in your home (e.g., if you work from home), and when you are a smoker or have ever smoked.
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How do I know if my radon levels are high?

The only way to know is to test. Even when you have a system, it is recommended by the EPA that you test every 2 years to ensure your system is properly working.

Axium offers NRPP certified radon testing utilizing third-party machines for a better price than our competitor’s. Visit our pricing page or call us at 720-597-7778.

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What does a radon mitigation system do?

Radon mitigation or abatement systems are vent pip systems with a fan. This type of system sucks the radon from underneath your home and discharges it outside. When crawl-spaces are present, they must be sealed with a vapor-barrier to ensure that radon levels are brought down as much as possible.
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Do I need both the fan system and the vapor barrier?

Some companies will install only “passive” systems – meaning they only seal the crawl-space with a vapor-barrier. This helps bring down the levels caused by the exposed dirt, which is a large factor in the radon in your home. However, there is no guarantee that this will reduce your level below 4.0pCi/L.

Axium suggests that you install both components of the system, though we will do a two-phase install first if you prefer.

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What is a manometer?

A manometer is a U-shaped tube filled with either mercury or liquid used to measure the pressure difference between the atmosphere and radon. The long sides of the tube have a measuring scale marked off in millimeters. When a gas line is connected to one side of the manometer it shifts and the difference in the height of the liquid in each side is used to calculate the pressure of the gas line. As long as the liquid levels are a skew, the radon fan is working.

Additional Questions?  Give us a call at 720-799-2094.