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Radon Testing & Mitigation
(616) 952-1209
"In Michigan, one in four homes is expected to have a radon problem, and in some counties as many as 40-50% of the homes could have problems."
GREENCO2® offers laboratory testing services for radon. Testing is the only way to establish what levels of radon are in your home. We recommend that if you are purchasing a home or commercial building, given the high levels of radon in our area, test before you buy. That way, you can factor in the cost of the radon mitigation into your transaction. If you are doing a radon test as part of a real estate transaction, you must have the test carried out by a certified tester.
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It’s produced when uranium, thorium, and radium break down in soil, rock, and water. It’s then released into the air. Radon is odorless, tasteless, and invisible.
Radon can accumulate in some places where ventilation is inadequate, such as in an underground mine. It can also build up inside buildings. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can be dangerous to your health.
Radon can accumulate in some places where ventilation is inadequate, such as in an underground mine. It can also build up inside buildings. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can be dangerous to your health.
How do you get exposed to it?
You’re exposed to radon when you breathe it in. High amounts of radon may be found in the workplace, a school, or any building. You spend the most time in your home, so that’s where radon exposure is most likely.
Radon can come up through the ground and into your home through cracks in the foundation. Once it’s through the cracks, it can get trapped inside, where it builds up. It can also get into your home through well water. Rarely, building materials have been found to release radon into buildings.
Radon exposure can happen in any type of home, whether it has a basement, a crawl space, or is built on a slab. But it’s more likely to accumulate in homes that are:
About one in every 15 homes is thought to have high levels of radon. The highest concentration of radon tends to be found in the basement or on the first floor.
Radon poisoning can give you cancer?
Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop.
Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:
Over time, you may also experience loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.
According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Radon comes in second. About 10 percent of radon-related cancer deaths involve people who don’t smoke. People who do smoke and are exposed to high levels of radon are at even greater risk.
It’s estimated that lowering radon levels below 4 pCi/L could reduce lung cancer deaths by 2 to 4 percent, which could save about 5,000 lives.
GREENCO2® Independent Laboratory is inspected, licensed, recognized, accredited, certified, affiliated with, endorsed by and/or proficiency tested by a number of governmental agencies and independent associations, including but not limited to the following:
You’re exposed to radon when you breathe it in. High amounts of radon may be found in the workplace, a school, or any building. You spend the most time in your home, so that’s where radon exposure is most likely.
Radon can come up through the ground and into your home through cracks in the foundation. Once it’s through the cracks, it can get trapped inside, where it builds up. It can also get into your home through well water. Rarely, building materials have been found to release radon into buildings.
Radon exposure can happen in any type of home, whether it has a basement, a crawl space, or is built on a slab. But it’s more likely to accumulate in homes that are:
- very well insulated
- tightly sealed
- located where the soil contains a lot of uranium, thorium, and radium
About one in every 15 homes is thought to have high levels of radon. The highest concentration of radon tends to be found in the basement or on the first floor.
Radon poisoning can give you cancer?
Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop.
Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:
- persistent cough
- coughing up blood
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- hoarseness
- chest pain, especially when you cough or laugh
- frequent infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia
Over time, you may also experience loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.
According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Radon comes in second. About 10 percent of radon-related cancer deaths involve people who don’t smoke. People who do smoke and are exposed to high levels of radon are at even greater risk.
It’s estimated that lowering radon levels below 4 pCi/L could reduce lung cancer deaths by 2 to 4 percent, which could save about 5,000 lives.
GREENCO2® Independent Laboratory is inspected, licensed, recognized, accredited, certified, affiliated with, endorsed by and/or proficiency tested by a number of governmental agencies and independent associations, including but not limited to the following:
- AAB American Association of Bioanalysts
- AARST American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists
- AIA Americas Inspector Alliance
- AIAQC American Indoor Air Quality Council
- AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA EMPAT # 163230)
- ASHI American Society of Home Inspectors
- ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers
- ESA Environmental Solutions Association
- IAQA Indoor Air Quality Association
- IESO Indoor Environmental Standards Organization
- LEHA The Lead and Environmental Hazards Association
- NACHI National Association of Certified Home Inspectors
- NADCA National Air Duct Cleaners Association
- NAHI National Association of Home Inspectors
- NEHA National Environmental Health Association
- NFPA National Fire Protection Association
- NLAAC National Lead Abatement and Assessment Council
- NRSB National Radon Safety Board
Any questions? Please call our office (616) 952-1209. Thank you.
