Archive for the "Radon" Category
Is Radon Harmfull to your Lungs?
Radon has been under the microscope for its effects to our health sense it was brought to our attention as home owners. Up untile recently there has been many skeptics that have always argued radon effects on our lungs, stating there has never been conclusive data that has proven the true effects of radon. A recent study done by chemist at the University of Pennsylvania, has shown that Radon does bond with discrete molecules ( such as lung tissue). As well the study shows what higher levels can cause as more molecule binding is seen at higher rates of Radon. This was a big step for the education on Radon and the community. The team of Chemist lead by a Professor Ivan J. Dmochowski used a process that came from xenon gas. Xenon Gas is a noble gas like Radon. With this test they can now use this to test Radon binding on Proteins in our lungs, and if we know Radon’s affinity for those proteins, you can get a better idea of the concentrations and timescale over which it is dangerous.
To read more on this recent breakthrough Click Here
Cooler Weather, Best time to perform radon testing
With the summer heat wave winding down and the kids back in school, we know fall is surely on its way. The Fall and Winter Seasons are the best time to perform your radon testing.
When performing a short term radon test, you have to maintain closed house conditions 12 hours prior to the onset of the testing and during the 48 hours. This means all windows and doors leading to the exterior. Normal entry and exit is fine, just no open windows or doors to the exterior.
Doing so during the summer months when a home does not have A/C; is almost unbearable for the occupants. Testing during Fall and Winter allow the occupants to maintain closed house conditions and yet stay comfortable not opening their windows, thus providing a more accurate average radon concentration for that testing duration.
When performing long term radon testing, closed house conditions do not need to be maintained. Long-term testing is a period of 91 days up to a full year. The long-term testing is the best testing available to obtain your overall radon exposure levels. The long-term testing allows the occupants to live in the home as they normally would through the seasons. No matter which test you are performing the cooler weather is often the best time to do your radon testing. RDS Environmental provides test kits for both short term and long term testing. Contact us today to order your test kit or have one of our radon technicians perform your testing.
303-444-5253.Mold Growth
Mold, its not just something that grows on your bread after sitting for to long or what grows on cheese. Mold is important in our world but only if its outside of our home. Mold can be found in many places and can grow virtually any were. Mold can be feed through many was but its main ingredients are moisture, heat (approximately Between 60-80 degrees). It doesn’t take long for it to grow, any where from 24-48 hours mold can grow. All mold isn’t bad, it is crucial for decomposition of many natural things in our world. Mold plays a role in our lives as a decomposer but its nice to have mold outside of your homes, instead of in your home. When Mold enters your home it can bring a laundry list of health problems. Its important to know that keeping your house mold safe can keep you and your family healthy.
Mold can grow in our homes on any surface. It can do this buy feeding from the moisture in the air and the temperature of your house. Molds like damp warm places. Such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Attics can be effected to because of the exposer that they have to the environments. To keep humidity down in our homes its important to have good ventilation that vents to the outside of the home, in these “problem areas”. Mositure controle is the key to keeping molds from growing in our homes.
Molds can bring serious health risk in to your living areas. many homes these days have finished basements were the have play areas setup for there children. Symptoms of Mold can be the same as allergies or as a common cold. Such as follows running nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and wheezing. Though these symptoms may seem harmless what can be caused from long term exposure can be serious cause for alarm. Heavy exposure to some molds can cause asthma, short term memory loss, Shortness of breath, and head achs.
Mold may play a vital role in nature as a natural recyler, but its better to keep it out of our homes. Mold intrusion in your home can be costly and bring high health risk to you and your family. To learn about Mold and how it can get into your home and were it will grow. Go to http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html. Or click here to see mold intrusion video.
National Radon Action Month
January, is National Radon Action Month, and in the State of Colorado, Governor Hickenlooper has proclaimed January as Radon Action Month. On January 25th, 2011 all across the country, individual states will be arriving to their Capital Steps to help promote Radon Awareness in conjunction with Cansar a non-profit who’s main focus is to provide education and awareness to the general population as to the seriousness health impacts of Radon. RDS along with CanSar, EPA and Governor Hickenlooper urge all Coloradans to test their homes for Radon, and to have a radon system installed should the results of their testing, be above the EPA’ s action guideline of 4.0 pCi/L (piccocurries per liter of air).
Radon is the leading cause of lung-cancer in non-smokers, and claims more than 20,000 life’s a year. Radon is a natural occurring gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas. So you can’t see it or smell it like Natural Gas.
When radon enters a home and is trapped, the levels become a health concern, as the gas cannot dissipate as it would naturally outside. When you breath in radon, radon particles can attach themselves to the linings of your lungs and disturb the cells, thus potentially causing lung-cancer. To learn more about radon you can find more information on the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/
In Colorado 1 out of every 2 homes has elevated radon, 95% of Colorado counties are listed in EPA’s Zone 1- levels greater than 4.0 pCi/L. With the makeup of the geology of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, nearly all of the state is at risk to have elevated radon levels in their home.
