The Health Risks of Radon in Dayton & Columbus, Ohio Communities

What You Need to Know About the Dangers of Radon

  1. Radon concerns are NOT false. It is an actual dangerous radioactive gas listed in the Scientific Table of Elements along with all the other radioactive substances.
  2. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. It is actually more deadly than second-hand smoke.
  3. Radon causes over 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Almost 3,000 of those deaths occur among people who have never smoked.
  4. On January 13, 2005, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, the U.S. Surgeon General, issued a national health advisory on radon

Radon Presence in Ohio

Radon is a clear and present health hazard and that can’t be detected without proper testing.  It is an odorless, colorless gas whose presence puts you and your family in jeopardy because the effects of radon exposure can be severe, especially on children.

In Ohio, Radon is a very Major problem.  As this map, created by the EPA, shows, most of Ohio has very high levels of the gas (shown in red.) Franklin, Delaware & Montgomery Counties average DOUBLE the EPA max level of concern, and some of the highest measurements on record have been in the thousands in Ohio! Even those areas that aren’t totally high are still high enough to be of concern.

Radon is a dense gas that tends to settle in the lowest available space, so those who sleep or spend a lot of time on the lowest levels of your home (first floor or basement) are at the highest risk.

Why Do You Need Radon Testing?

Because radon gas is odorless, colorless, and has no taste You’ll never know that radon is in your home unless you have it tested.  Just because no one has had your home tested and it is older means nothing. 

The effects can be felt within a few months or as long as 25 years after exposure.

The radioactive emissions damage cells that will take 44 years for 75% of radon inhaled to become harmless. But the remaining 25% can affect your health even after that period.  Prolonged Exposure increases the changes for greater danger.

Radon Gas Symptoms
Radon gas exposure affects the respiratory system, with symptoms that can take years to develop but are irreversible. 

The most common symptoms are:

• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath

EPA Bulletin 2009b

The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is estimated at between 10 to 20 times greater for persons who smoke cigarettes compared to those who never smoked.

EPA News Release 2003

Exposure to high radon levels is the leading environmental cause of death in the United States

EPA estimates that at its recommended guideline of 4 pCi/L, the risk of developing lung cancer is based on exposure factors:

Don’t Take Unnecessary Risks!

Get Your home tested by Airduct Cleaning & Radon Co to find out whether your family, tenants or employees are at risk for radon poisoning.

Are Scented Candles Safe?

Everyone should want cleaner, fresher air in their home. Not only is it better for your health, but it leaves your home smelling better. Rather than actually cleaning their air, however, many homeowners opt to use artificial air fresheners instead. Whether it’s a plugin or an aerosol spray, these items can provide an appealing scent.  

However, air fresheners come with a number of problems.  

For starters, they are not actually cleaning the air or treating the source of bad smells. Instead, they are simply covering them up. What’s worse is that many of these products include toxic chemicals that can irritate your nose and throat. Some have even been linked to kidney issues, liver problems, and cancer. They can also be directly harmful to children and pets who may try to consume them. 

Some may assume that scented candles are a better alternative to plugins and sprays. Sadly, this is not the case. In fact, in some ways, they can be even more dangerous. 

The Problems with Scented Candles 

There’s no question that lit candles provide a comforting ambience to a room. And in today’s market, candles come in just about every scent you can imagine. However, these candles feature many of the same problems that other air freshening products do. For starters, they don’t actually treat the source of unpleasant smells. Instead, they simply cover them up. 

On top of that, candles tend to release many of the same toxic chemicals that plugins and sprays contain. They also release particle matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, both of which are bad for your health. 

Arguably the biggest issue with candles, however, is the fact that they are a serious fire hazard. Each year, fires caused by candles result in 677 injuries, 81 deaths, and $278 million in property damage. Between 2014-2018, US fire departments responded to 7610 home fires that started with candles. All it takes is a moment of neglect for a candle to cause a serious, life threatening situation. 

Keeping Your Air Fresh without Candles 

There are a number of simple ways to keep you home smelling pleasant without having to rely on candles. Regular cleaning, emptying of the trash, and maintaining airflow can make a big difference. Additionally, you should have your air ducts checked and cleaned periodically. Over time, debris, dust, and even mold can start to build up in your ducts. 

All of this can make your home’s air feel musty and stuffy. 

To further clean your air and reduce unwanted scents, you can utilize air purifiers. Unlike other air freshening products, air purifiers actually remove irritating particles and unpleasant smells from the air. For air purification and air duct cleaning in the Springfield & Dayton, Ohio area, contact Air Duct Cleaning & Radon Company today. We can help you breathe a little easier in your home or at your workplace. 

Are There Harmful Particles in Your Home’s Air?

It’s important to keep your home’s air clean, especially these days. Over the past year, most of us are spending more time in our homes than ever due to major events being cancelled and businesses operating remotely. The air you breath can have a profound impact on your general health and well-being.  

Just because your home’s air smells pleasant doesn’t actually mean it’s clean.  

There are a number of harmful particles that can hide in the air that are odorless. Additionally, some of the items people use to make their home smell nice can actually contain toxic chemicals. Regardless of how much time you spend inside of your home, its in the best interest of you and your family to keep its air clean.  

In order to do that, you need to understand some of the harmful particles that might be floating around in your home. 

Mold 

Mold spores are almost always in the air around you. That’s why mold can develop so quickly inside of your home. By themselves, these spores are harmless. When a moist surface is left exposed, however, mold starts to collect and multiply. This releases additional spores into the air, which multiply further.  

Having active mold in your home can cause congestion, irritated eyes, itchy skin, coughing, and more. Mold can be especially dangerous for people with asthma, lung diseases, or immune conditions. 

Pet Dander and Other Allergens   

Pets can be great company, especially when you’re trapped in your house all day. However, they can take a toll on your home’s air quality. Just because you’re not allergic to your cat or dog doesn’t mean you won’t be affected by the fur that they shed. Even if you have a pet that doesn’t shed, they still release dander and other allergens that can cause sinus problems and skin irritation. 

As for those without pets, there is still pollen, dust, and other allergens floating in your home’s air. Left unchecked, they can result in stuffy air, scratchy throats, congestion, and more. 

Radon 

Like mold, radon is in almost all of the air we breathe. In small amounts, this radioactive gas is harmless. In higher doses, however, it can be very dangerous. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon gets into your home through cracks in the foundation or through pores in brick and concrete.  

Left unchecked, it can become concentrated, slowly poisoning anyone living in your home. Radon build-up is especially common in basements, though it can happen in other areas as well.  

Air Fresheners and Toxic Contaminants  

Air fresheners and aerosol sprays might make your home smell more pleasant, but this comes at a cost. Rather than actually purifying your air, these products simply cover up one smell with another. Once your air freshener fades, any previous scents will return. What’s worse, however, is that air freshening products use toxic chemicals to create their trademark scents. 

Most air fresheners contain carcinogens which cause irritation to your nose and throat, not to mention they’ve been directly linked to cancer.  

Keeping Your Home’s Air Safe and Clean 

There are a few things you can do to actively keep your home’s air clean. Cleaning your home regularly is a great start. This will help reduce dust, germs, and mold. If you have pets, you should keep them cleaned and groomed as well. 

Rather than relying on air fresheners, you should utilize air purifiers. Unlike plugins and aerosol sprays, air purifiers actually clean the air, removing harmful particles and naturally improving the smell of your home.  

Even with regular cleaning and air purifiers, you still need to have your home checked for radon. A simple radon test can ensure your home’s air is safe. The EPA recommends that your home is checked for radon at least every two years. 

Finally, you should make sure that your home’s HVAC system and air ducts are cleaned. A dirty HVAC system can suffer from performance issues. Meanwhile, dirty air ducts can house allergens, debris, mold, vermin, and more. Keeping your ducts clean can make a big difference in the quality of air flow throughout your home. That’s part of the reason why the EPA recommends your ducts be inspected every 3-5 years. 

If you live in the Miami Valley area, Air Duct Cleaning Company has your air purification needs covered. In addition to providing commercial and residential air duct cleaning services in Dayton and Springfield, Ohio, we offer air purification services, dryer vent cleaning, radon mitigation, and more. Contact us today to get started. 

The Problem with Air Fresheners

Civilizations have been using various methods to freshen the air for thousands of years. The Egyptians would use aromatic resins and jasmine, particularly during sacrifices. Ancient Chinese cultures were fond of fragrant flowers and mandarin oranges. 

Today, many people use store-bought air fresheners such as aerosol sprays, gel substances, and scented plugins to add pleasant smells to their homes and offices. 

While this sounds good in theory, modern air fresheners aren’t as safe or effective as you might think. In fact, there are a number of concerning facts regarding air fresheners that many don’t realize. Whether it’s a spray, a plugin, or some disposable object you set on a shelf, these air fresheners rely on a number of chemicals to create their aromas. 

Often, we don’t even know what’s in them as companies aren’t required to release ingredients for air fresheners. Nevertheless, the chemicals we do know are present tend to be quite dangerous, even in smaller doses.  

Let’s take a look at the hidden problems and dangers that modern air fresheners pose.   

They’re Only Masking the Scent 

On a surface level, most air fresheners don’t actually do what they claim to; they don’t freshen the air. 

Instead, they simply mask smells with other smells. When the air freshener fades, the previously smells arise again. Often, the air freshener isn’t actually strong enough to cover the smell, leaving you with an unpleasant mixture of scents.  

Bad smells and stale air are usually a sign of something that needs to be addressed, whether it’s uncleanliness, excess moisture, rotting food, dirty air vents, or generally stale air. The better solution is to address what’s causing your home or office to smell unpleasant. 

Dangerous to Children 

Gel-based air fresheners and plugins are often placed in areas within arm’s reach of children. Their attractive scents and bright colors can lure children towards them. Younger children may then try to eat or swallow the air freshener. 

This is a serious danger. 

For one, they can easily choke on it. Beyond that, air fresheners are typically made of chemicals that are toxic to humans. They can cause illness and even death. 

Polluting the Air You Breath 

Even in low levels, air fresheners have shown to cause headaches, asthma attacks, breathing problems, and more. Most air fresheners contain carcinogens which, in addition to causing irritation to your nose and throat, are directly linked to cancer. 

While plugin air fresheners have been marketed as a safer, longer lasting alternative to spray fresheners, this is not actually the case. Plugin air fresheners contain phthalates, which have been shown to impact male hormone levels, and may even have negative effects on your kidney and liver. 

A Better Alternative  

If you’re looking to keep your home smelling clean and fresh, there are better ways to do it. Beyond general cleaning and maintenance, adding high-quality air purifiers to your home or office can make a big difference. These devices do a great job of eliminating stale odors and irritating particles from the air.  

You should also make sure to have your air duct systems inspected and cleaned. Overtime, dust and debris build up inside the ducts. This can lead to stale air, mold, and more. If you’re finding that your home or office’s air feels stale and stuffy, have your air ducts inspected. 

For air duct cleaning in Dayton, Ohio and the surrounding communities, contact Air Duct Cleaning & Radon Company today. Give us a call at 937-399-4242 or click here to get a quote. We also offer some great air purifier options.  

Home Safety Resolutions for 2020

With a new year comes changes, big and small. People everywhere are setting out to become a better version of themselves, learn a new skill, and/or save money for something important. If you’re looking for a way to take care of yourself and protect your finances, we would recommend improving your home safety. 

Home accidents can pose a serious threat to the safety of you and your family, and they can also cost a lot of money. 

By addressing potential problems before they arise, you save yourself from a lot of pain down the road. Here are some simple ways to make your home a happier, healthier place in 2020.  

Check Your Smoke and CO Detectors 

Now is as good of a time as any to make sure you have the appropriate detectors in the appropriate places and that their batteries are charged. A working smoke alarm can be the difference between a hundred dollars in damage and a hundred thousand dollars of damage. More importantly, it could also save your life. 

The same is true for CO detectors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, which means you won’t know it’s there unless you have a working detector in place. 

Practice Fire Safety 

While working smoke detectors are a great first step towards fire safety, they’re not the only precaution you should take. You should create a fire escape plan for your home that everyone is familiar with. You should also keep fire extinguishers around, particularly in the kitchen.  

Also, make sure you are very careful with candles, space heaters, and other exposed heat sources. Finally, we highly recommend you don’t smoke indoors. 

Keep Your Air Clean 

Dirty air can cause allergies to flair and asthmatic symptoms to increase. Make sure to keep up with dusting in your home. You should also have your air ducts professionally inspected and cleaned every 3 to 5 years by an NADCA certified member. If you still find there to be excess dust in your home and/or the air feels heavy, consider setting up an air purifier. 

Clean Your Dryer Vents 

Dryer fires are a common cause of fires in homes. Often, it’s as simple as a dirty lint trap catching fire. You should always clean your lint filter after every load of laundry. Even then, lint builds up over time within your dryer vents.  

Not only does this cause your machine to work harder (resulting in increased utility bills and costly repairs), but it can eventually cause a fire in your home. Make sure your dryer vents have recently been inspected and cleaned. 

Test for Radon 

Radon is an odorless, tasteless gas that’s in almost all of the air around you. In normal doses, it’s completely harmless. If it’s allowed to build up, however, it can pose a serious health risk. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. 

Every home should be tested for radon. This is a simple, highly affordable process that can literally save your life. If radon levels are too high, further action will be needed. For radon mitigation in Springfield and Dayton, Ohio, contact Air Duct Cleaning & Radon Company today.