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.

Why Every Home Needs to Be Regularly Tested for Radon

Your home should be a place of safety and security. Its primary purpose is to provide shelter and protection from the outside. Unfortunately, there are many dangers that can hide inside of your home. One particularly common threat is completely undetectable to human senses: radon. 

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, causing roughly 21,000 deaths every year. The only way you can find out whether or not your home has radon is to actively test for it. But before we get into that, it’s important to understand what radon is and how it gets into your home. 

What is Radon? 

Radon is a naturally occurring element that takes the form of an odorless, colorless gas. Trace amounts of radon can be found in most of the air around us. At these small levels, radon is harmless. However, should it become more concentrated, radon can actually be very dangerous. 

Radon can enter homes through cracks in the foundations, holes in walls, and more. Over time, it can build up more and more, eventually reaching dangerous amounts. This often occurs in basements, crawlspaces, and other cramped areas. 

However, even if your home doesn’t have a basement or crawlspace, radon buildup can still occur. The only way you’ll know if there are unsafe amounts of radon in your home is to have your home tested.  

Testing Your Home for Radon 

Thankfully, testing a home for radon is relatively easy. Test kits can be purchased online or at a local store. Alternatively, you can call a professional and have them checked. If radon levels are too high, radon mitigation will need to be performed immediately. 

Don’t put off checking your home for radon. Every home and building should be tested every 2-5 years. 

Some areas are at greater risks than others. Northern, landlocked states like Ohio have the highest levels of radon in the US. For radon mitigation in Dayton, Ohio and the surrounding communities, contact Air Duct Cleaning today! 

Is Your Home’s Air Clean?

Your home should be a place of safety and security. Its primary purpose is to provide shelter and protection from the outside. Unfortunately, there are many dangers that can hide inside of your home. One particularly common threat is completely undetectable to human senses: radon. 

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, causing roughly 21,000 deaths every year. The only way you can find out whether or not your home has radon is to actively test for it. But before we get into that, it’s important to understand what radon is and how it gets into your home. 

What is Radon? 

Radon is a naturally occurring element that takes the form of an odorless, colorless gas. Trace amounts of radon can be found in most of the air around us. At these small levels, radon is harmless. However, should it become more concentrated, radon can actually be very dangerous. 

Radon can enter homes through cracks in the foundations, holes in walls, and more. Over time, it can build up more and more, eventually reaching dangerous amounts. This often occurs in basements, crawlspaces, and other cramped areas. 

However, even if your home doesn’t have a basement or crawlspace, radon buildup can still occur. The only way you’ll know if there are unsafe amounts of radon in your home is to have your home tested.  

Testing Your Home for Radon 

Thankfully, testing a home for radon is relatively easy. Test kits can be purchased online or at a local store. Alternatively, you can call a professional and have them checked. If radon levels are too high, radon mitigation will need to be performed immediately. 

Don’t put off checking your home for radon. Every home and building should be tested every 2-5 years. 

Some areas are at greater risks than others. Northern, landlocked states like Ohio have the highest levels of radon in the US. For radon mitigation in Dayton, Ohio and the surrounding communities, contact Air Duct Cleaning today! 

Getting Your HVAC System Ready for Summer

With the days heating up and color returning to landscapes, summer is just around the corner. While it’s great to be able to enjoy the outdoors, it’s also nice to retreat back into a cool, climate-controlled space on those days where things get a little too hot. That is, as long as your AC is doing its job. 

Nothing brings down midsummer like having an underperforming HVAC or standalone central AC system.  

It’s best to be proactive. Here are a few simple actions you can take to ensure your air conditioning is ready for the summer heat. 

Change the Filter 

Whether you have a dedicated AC system or an HVAC system, your filter is critical to its performance. First and foremost, the filter is responsible for removing pollen, particles, and other agitators from your home’s air. It also protects the cooling system from larger particles that might otherwise clog or damage it. 

Should your filter become overly dirty, your system could start to underperform altogether. Not only does this result in a warmer home, but it’s much harder on the cooling system itself. This can result in higher energy bills, additional repair bills, and complete system failure. 

The good news is changing your filter is cheap and easy.  

Clean Up Around the Outdoor Unit 

With any sort of centralized AC system, you’ll have a condenser unit outside. While these systems are designed for the outdoors, they’re also subject to debris and buildup overtime. Make sure to brush off any debris such as leaves, grass, twigs, etc. You should also makes sure to keep the area around the unit clear. 

While you can do further cleaning, it may be best to have a professional inspect it. 

Unit Inspections 

It’s a good idea to have your HVAC or central air system inspected by a professional once a year. They can spot issues before they become fully blown problems, saving you a lot of money in the long run. In addition to checking for potential repairs, an inspector will make minor adjustments and clean things up to maximize your unit’s efficiency.  

Have Your Air Ducts Inspected and Cleaned 

In addition to having your AC system inspected, you should also have your air ducts inspected. Overtime, dust and debris can build up. Left unchecked, these particles can start affecting air flow while also increasing the presence of dust and other agitating particles in your home’s air. Additionally, air ducts can be home to mold, rodents, and more. 

It is recommended that you have your air ducts inspected and cleaned every 3-5 years. If you’re in need of air duct inspection and cleaning in Dayton, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding areas, contact Air Duct Cleaning & Radon Company today! 

Simple Ways to Keep Your Office Smelling Fresh

Is your office space smelling a bit stale? It’s understandable. Office areas can be tricky when it comes to controlling fragrances. The open space renders many air fresheners useless. Meanwhile, a variety of people are bringing their own unique “scents” into the mix.

Whether it’s for your own sake, or the sake of clients coming into your office, we empathize with your desire to keep things aromatically positive. That’s why we’ve put together some simple tips for maintaining air purity.

It Starts with Cleanliness

When it comes to controlling smells, cleanliness is always step one. Otherwise, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Make sure your office is regularly cleaned. Trash bins should be emptied every night. If there’s a community fridge, that should be cleaned out at the end of every week. Bathrooms need to be well maintained also.

Finally, you should have general cleanliness standards set for employees and their work areas.

Add Some Plants

Plants don’t just look nice; they also help naturally purify the air. Flowers can add some extra pleasant smells, but they can potentially cause allergies to rise too. General houseplants might be the better way to go.

Strategically Place Air Fresheners

Trying to utilize air fresheners for an entire work area can be difficult (and pricey). They’re best used in separate rooms such as bathrooms, personal offices, and meeting spaces. It might not be a bad idea to place one near the entrance as well, so visitors are greeted with a pleasant smell as they enter.

Air Purifiers

While air fresheners can do a decent job at covering up smells, they don’t target the actual source. Air purifiers, on the other hand, can take particles out of the air that cause unpleasant aromas. If you’re looking for commercial air purifiers, we can help you find the perfect one.

Click here for our contact information.

Windows and Doorways

A lot of offices these days don’t have windows that can be opened, and their doors lead to an indoor hallway. Still, for those who have access to fresh air, a window or doorway can make a big difference.

Not everyone enjoys open windows, so we’d recommend using them to air out the office for a bit in the morning.

Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned

Does the air in your office feel a little stuffy? Do you find that things are quickly coated in dust? It might be time to have your air ducts cleaned out. Overtime, dirt and debris build up in your duct system, contaminating the air that comes out of your vents.

For commercial air duct inspection and cleaning in Springfield, Ohio and the surrounding area, contact Air Duct Cleaning & Radon Company today! We’ll help freshen up your office space so you can breathe easy.