A potential silent killer that homeowners in New Hampshire should be aware of while purchasing and owning a home is Radon gas, which includes air and water. Radon is a tiny radioactive particle that can be carcinogenic to your lungs and other internal organs over prolonged exposure. Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US. Over 21,000 Americans die yearly from this silent killer.
I remember helping my father install numerous Radon fans in his new homes in the Seacoast of New Hampshire and his customer base in the mid-to-late 1980s. Overall awareness of Radon gas seems low among homeowners, and the purpose of this blog is to help raise awareness of this issue. This awareness should especially be pertinent to the homeowner who owns or plans on buying an energy-efficient home because the house is so well sealed that the Radon gas could be trapped in the living areas of the house. Radon gas is a byproduct of decaying granite bedrock. Although New Hampshire is nicknamed the “Granite State”, Alaska has a higher concentration of Radon gas than New Hampshire.
As a homeowner or homebuyer, how do I determine if Radon gas is an issue? The answer is to test the air quality and, if possible, your well for Radon gas. The EPA recommends that tests be repeated every two years because Radon gas can fluctuate.
If you test high for Radon gas, there are mechanical systems to combat Radon gas. There are also passive ways to lower Radon gas. Overall, either a mechanical system or passive alternatives will not eliminate radon gas but rather lower the concentration within a safe tolerance for your family to absorb.
Please consider American Building & Design for your next remodeling project.
