For homeowners and business owners, keeping their employees, family, and friends safe is a major concern. Along with various other health concerns, one of the most dangerous threats is radon poisoning.
Radon is a radioactive gas that can seep out of the ground in the form of carcinogen. The United States Environment Protection Agency says that radon can cause cancer, allergies, and other respiratory illnesses.
According to the Jamestown Sun, the gas may be the same, but the way radon is treated differs depending on the location. If the gas is found in a home, it is treated differently from how it would be treated in a business space.
About 90% of new homes in the United States have a ducted heating and cooling system. Often times, businesses will have the ducted systems as well. If the business’s system is working properly, there should be no concern for any potential radon issues. Buildings that have the air circulation on a timer will have high radon levels during off hours, as opposed to the time when people are at work, moving the air around.
Chris Reyerson, the owner of Valley Radon Mitigation Incorporated, says that if the air systems are functioning properly by keeping the particles, mold, and disease-causers out of the air. These particles should be kept fully outside of the building.
“That’s why when you walk into a hospital there is a whoosh,” Reyerson said. “That should happen when you walk into all commercial structures.”
Experts say that if there is positive air pressure in some of the building’s rooms, but not all, it’s usually a sign that there is a problem with the ductwork. This is when you should take a look at the ducts, clean them, or reach out to a repair person to make any necessary fixes.
Radon testing is often required for commercial buildings, especially ones that are under contract with the government. The gas isn’t one that is scented or colored, so it’s important for the tests to be conducted.