The new regulations set in place by HUD highlighted in our article last month are a testament of what is our efforts and the efforts of others at shedding light on the dangers of radon gas. The recent regulations are now requiring that a radon test be conducted on every unit of every multi-family home that is financed through HUD. Additionally, any unit that shows high levels of radon gas will be required to have a Radon mitigation system installed.

We know that this regulation may come as a shocker to many, but if you look at the facts and statistics, it will make perfect sense. One out of every fifteen homes has high levels of radon gas. Additionally, radon gas kills over 20,000 people each year in the form of lung cancer, and is noted as the second leading cause of lung cancer. These two statistics alone are alarming numbers at how this gas has overtaken so many homes, and claimed so many lives in the United States.

We know that this regulation may be new to many. You may have never heard the words radon gas uttered in your life, but now is the time that it is effecting so many. We are here to relieve some of the stress and fill in some of the gaps of information that HUD did not provide as far as getting help. As the nation’s largest and most trusted radon company, you will have nothing to fear from following our quick guide.

Handling Radon Mitigation

The first thing you will need to do in reducing your radon gas levels is determine whether or not the gas is even effecting you. You will need to test each unit of multi-family homes in order to ensure that your levels are not high. The reason testing is required is because there is no other way to determine whether or not this gas is present. This gas is invisible, and odorless, meaning that testing will be the only way you can know for certain whether or not you are in danger. Once you have your test results, you can be on your way. If the results are low, you have the test results and no further action will be required. If the test results are high, you will need to call a professional to reduce your radon gas levels.

S.W.A.T. Environmental has been providing radon mitigation services for decades now, and we will gladly help you reduce the gas levels in your home. With our proven radon mitigation techniques, you can rest assured that your home will be a safe haven, and in no further danger. Our professionals may reduce gas levels by as much as 99%. We always offer a free quote, so call us today. It’s a no obligation call that can provide you with the needed information and help get your home radon free.

Radon gas is a serious cause of concern for many who rent homes across the United States. If you have ever rented a home, you probably know that there is always a bit of confusion as to whether or not you are responsible for specific repairs and maintenance. Often, the landlord is responsible, but is your landlord responsible to provide radon mitigation to reduce radon lung cancer if your home has high levels of radon gas? Most of us do not know whether or not this is covered in our lease.

There is a group of national organizations dedicated to fighting for the rights of those renting homes, and homeowners across the U.S. to improve home safety. This group is made up of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Together these organizations are able to pool resources, and communicate problems and ideas to solve them in regard to public health and home safety.

HUD Takes Charge Against Radon Lung Cancer

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has just taken a strong stance for renter safety by making it a requirement that all multi-family homes that are financed through them must have a radon test. This is a huge step forward as this gas is known to kill approximately 20,000 civilians each year, making it one of America’s biggest concerns in regard to health and lung cancer.

Any multi-family home that is financed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, that has high levels of radon gas will be required to have a mitigation system installed. This is important as this gas is can be reduced by a rate of up to 99% if a mitigation system is properly installed, making your home safe.

The American Lung Association has commended HUD for their actions, and steps toward improving the safety of homes across America. The American Lung Association notes that this will not only improve the air quality in homes by reducing the amount of gas in homes, but that it will also reduce the amount of moisture, and improve ventilation. This means that not only will radon lung cancer rates be reduced, but also that other lung conditions should be improved.

S.W.A.T. Environmental would also like to commend the actions taken by HUD, and we would like to recognize how much this helps our efforts by reducing the amount of radon gas in homes across the United States. We know that with our decades of experience, and proper certifications, we will be able to provide the necessary radon reduction to your home, and multi-family home. Make sure to test your home for radon gas, and we will be able to provide the necessary mitigation should your levels be above the normal amount.

Radon mitigation in schools can help us take back the safety of all schools across America, and make them a healthy place for students to learn. While much time and energy has been focused on the safety of schools through new gun laws, there is a strong need for radon mitigation in schools. By the numbers, radon gas kills more people than drunk driving, and is a serious threat to all teachers, students, and faculty without some type of action.

Every single year, radon gas kills 20,000 people in the form of lung cancer. Nationally, this is a huge threat to all of us, and something that we need to take action in. If we want to protect those most affected by this gas, we need to implement radon mitigation in schools. It is estimated that one out of every five schools has high levels of radon gas. This is a large number of schools, 70,000 to be exact, that are in need of mitigation. Let us take action and reduce the gas levels for our teachers, students, and faculty.

Getting Radon Mitigation in Schools

To get a better look at how this gas effects us, we must take a look at where it comes from. Deep in the ground uranium forms and breaks down. During the break down process, a byproduct of radioactive gas known as radon is formed. From this radioactive material, it is known that it causes cancer, and in a gas form it may enter the smallest of areas. The most common way radon enters homes and schools is simply through the foundation. Although this is one method, another method is through the water supply. Through the water supply this dangerous gas can come through your home or school and greatly increase the concentrations.

Regardless of how this gas enters our schools, we need to take action in order to dramatically decrease the threat level. If we have radon mitigation in schools, we can make sure that our schools have lowered radon levels by up to 99%. S.W.A.T. Environmental has a team of professionals that can properly reduce the levels of radon gas polluted throughout homes and schools. Radon mitigation in schools is the solution we need to make our schools a safer place.

Currently there is a bill being proposed which could greatly improve our schools. This bill is being proposed by a congressman in Iowa, and it would provide funding for testing of all schools across the nation. Schools that receive ratings of high levels of gas would then receive additional funding for mitigation. This process ensures that only schools truly in need of mitigation are receiving benefits, and that we are not sacrificing our educational budget to provide this level of safety. Help us support radon mitigation in schools, and tell a local politician to help raise awareness on this bill.

Every January, radon action month occurs. This is the time of year in which people across the nation take action to improve the safety of their home in regard to radon. Every year radon is known to cause tens of thousands of deaths. Something has to be done. Radon gas is now responsible for more than one out of every seven cases of lung cancer. This means that even if you never touched a cigarette, radon gas may be your demise of health.

You are not hopeless against this gas. There are options that you can choose to take that will reduce your levels of radon gas, and encourage good health in your home. A mitigation system may purify your air, and reduce the levels of this gas by as much as 99% in your home. Taking the action to test your home will allow you to know whether or not this is necessary. Simply reading up on some materials that speak about radon and its danger is a good way to find out more about radon and how it affects your family.

Actions for Radon Action Month

The first thing you may want to do is test your home to find out the levels of radon gas. Radon gas is odorless and colorless, so testing will allow you to determine whether or not you are at risk. Once you have the levels, you will be able to determine the appropriate action for your home. If your home has high levels of radon gas, you will need to contact a mitigation specialist as soon as possible to reduce your levels. If your levels are low, you will not have to contact a mitigation expert, but you will have to schedule a test for your home in the future.

In addition to testing your home, you should educate yourself on how radon gas is formed. As uranium found in your soil naturally erodes, radon gas formations appear, and may enter your ground water, or even through small spaces in your foundation. One out of every fifteen homes are infected, and if the ground water is infected, there may be numerous homes in the area at risk. It is important to take the necessary precautions of testing to determine if your home is at risk.

If your home has high levels of radon gas, then this radon action month you will need to install a mitigation system. Radon action month is the perfect time to contact a professional at S.W.A.T. Environmental for a free quote on an air purification system. With a free quote, you have nothing to lose this radon action month. Trust in S.W.A.T. Environmental’s decades of experience, extensive knowledge of radon gas, and certified professionals to provide you with the mitigation you need this radon action month. Take action this radon action month and protect your home from radon gas.

When you hear the term ‘lung cancer’ a lot may come to mind. More often than not, we think of cigarettes, and their dangers. You may also think of coal miners, or gases that industry specific professionals are exposed to. While these are all serious risks that you should be aware of, you may be shocked to realize that studies have shown that 16% of all lung cancer cases actually come from radon gas.

That’s right, breathing the air right in your own home is the culprit of 16% of all lung cancer cases. If someone were to tell you that the indoor air quality in the homes of American’s was the culprit of 16% of all lung cancer cases, one would be curious if all American’s lived next to a power plant or industrial factory.

Even though many of our homes are in scenic, suburban landscapes, the trouble lies within the soil where radon gas forms. Radon is both colorless, and odorless, so there is no telling whether or not your home is affected without having a professional test. To put it in perspective, over 20,000 people die from radon gas each year. That is more than drunk driving, and many other serious causes of death. One out of every fifteen homes has high levels of radon gas, meaning that there is a pretty good chance more than a handful of people in your neighborhood, or on your street, may be negatively affected by radon gas.

Radon Gas Mitigation Process

In order to understand the radon gas mitigation process, you must first understand where radon gas comes from. Radon comes from the uranium which breaks down in your soil. As radon gas forms, it is in a gaseous state. As you may already know, gases may easily enter your home through small spaces in the foundation or basement. Another entry point is through your water supply. Even if your home specifically does not have a lot of uranium in its soil, there may be radon near a section of the ground water which is used for your county. This could lead to radon gas entering straight through your faucet.

Once you receive your test results, you will have a better idea of your threat level. If your tests show high levels of radon gas, you know that you simply have to call a professional if you do not want to risk the health of yourself and your family. Even if your home does not have high levels of radon gas, you may still want to call a professional, as a radon gas mitigation system can provide the mitigation you need and security for the future. A properly installed mitigation system can reduce radon gas levels by as much as 99%. When it comes to your health, do not risk it with an inexperienced company. Choose S.W.A.T. Environmental for radon gas mitigation, the company with decades of experience, located in a city near you.

You may have heard before that the air quality of the United States is poor, but did you know that roughly three million people die from poor air quality? The EPA has taken action with the help of the Clean Air Act to make our breathing air much cleaner, but their efforts are futile without the help of everyone.

To break it down, there are two categories for air pollutants; indoor and outdoor. It is important to take action against both, although outdoor air pollution can only change if everyone pitches in. Indoor air quality is the reason for roughly two million of the three million deaths each year. It is important to know that an air purification can improve the air quality of your home, and dramatically reduce levels of radon gas, one of the biggest threats to indoor air quality.

Outdoor Air Quality

Outdoor air quality is being measured by the EPA nearly instantaneously. The EPA has set up measurements across the United States which measure ground level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. This is all summed up into one number indicating the overall health risk of being exposed to these levels of pollutants in your area.

The name for this scale is the air quality index. The scale ranges from 0 to 500, with 0 being the safest level of pollutants, and 500 being extremely unsafe. Shockingly enough, anything above 50 on this scale indicates some level of risk, and this risk level only increases. Right now, there are areas in the United States that have levels in excess of fifty, meaning unsafe air for those areas, and possible long term health risks such as death.

Indoor Air Quality

A higher rate of death actually comes from indoor air quality. Indoor air quality is a major concern as one of the largest contributors to death is radon gas. The danger about radon gas is that it cannot be smelled or seen. The only way to truly detect radon gas is through multiple tests to your home, and averaging the score for the most accurate reading.

Radon gas may enter your home through the foundation, building materials, or even the water supply. Most building materials such as granite are not tested for this horrible gas. Naturally forming from radium in the soil, this gas may seep into your home without notice.

Taking action is what we all should do this month, as October is air quality awareness month. This is the month to read up on radon gas, and see what actions you may do to improve the air quality of your home. S.W.A.T. Environmental has the solution for you, offering complete radon mitigation systems built custom for your threat, and installed by an experienced, certified professional for cheaper than you may think. Stop worrying about air quality, and start doing something about it with a new radon mitigation system from S.W.A.T. Environmental.

Whether or not you have heard of S.W.A.T. Environmental, we are quickly becoming a household name across the United States. Offering radon reduction for over forty locations across America has made us the golden standard for radon mitigation. We were not always such a large company, and actually started from very humble beginnings. We began in 1988 with only one radon specialist. Now we boast a team of over 100 employees, and have experienced 3000% growth in the past ten years! While this has been tremendous, we continue to keep our work quality to the same standard.

We recently received national recognition when we were published in Inc. Magazine. Inc. magazine delivers the latest news for businesses worldwide. Each year Inc Magazine provides a list of the fastest growing companies in America, and we had the honor this year to appear on this list. We ranked thirteenth in fastest growing for the environmental industry, and are the first radon mitigation company to ever appear on this list.

Growing Need for Radon Mitigation Nationwide

As you can tell from our rapid growth, radon mitigation is a need that over 8 million households in the United States should have. You see, the EPA has deemed radon gas harmful for your health, and has actually linked it to lung cancer. It is estimated that roughly 8 million homes have above acceptable levels of radon gas, meaning 8 million homes need to have a radon mitigation system installed, or else they will continue breathing this harmful gas.

Even though radon gas was discovered, and found to be radioactive in the early 1900′s, we still have not properly spread the dangers of this gas over a century later. Until recently, many did not know that a radioactive material could natural occur right beneath your home, and easily enter through cracks, as a gas does not need much space to enter. As uranium breaks down in your soil, radon gas forms, and may enter through your foundation, basement, or even water supply.

Calling a Professional Radon Mitigation Company

When you call S.W.A.T. Environmental, you know that you are getting the quality service needed. S.W.A.T. Environmental has been in the radon mitigation industry for over two decades, meaning no matter how difficult your situation is, we can provide our excellent service for your home or business. We have all the certifications necessary, and know all the proper procedures and standards to remove radon gas from your home. We have established ourselves as the largest radon mitigation company, and have taught our specialists the proper techniques in order to ensure that your home or business has a mitigation system installed the right way. We have professionals waiting to answer any questions you may have, and we always offer a free estimate on all of our services. Call the company the rest of America has chosen, and start breathing easier today.

Roughly one out of every fifteen homes are affected by high levels of radon gas. This means that chances are at least several homes on the same street as you have dangerous levels of radon, but why is radon gas so dangerous? Radon has been proven to cause lung cancer by the EPA. If this is not compelling enough, what if I told you that the death toll from radon exceeds that of drunk driving, fires, and many other causes of death. You cannot see, smell, hear, or taste radon gas, meaning that radon testing is the only way that you will be able to find out if further action is required.

Radon is the only gas that under normal conditions has radioactive isotopes. Levels in homes have reached that in which it would be equivalent to smoking 135 packs of cigarettes per day. Naturally occurring, radon may be in the materials used to build your home, seep into your home through the foundation, or even be in your water supply. No matter how radon gas reaches your home, radon testing must be completed to determine whether or not you are at risk.

Commercial Radon Testing

Radon testing for commercial buildings allows business owners to breathe easy. Do not be the reason your employees are diagnosed with lung cancer. Protect yourself, and those around you, by having a professional conduct commercial radon testing. Many of us spend a great deal of time at our work, meaning that exposure at the office may be just as dangerous as exposure at the home.

Residential Radon Testing

When you purchase a home, you will have no idea as to whether or not radon has invaded it. Whenever moving, have a specialist conduct radon testing as soon as you move in to avoid any risk of being exposed to this dangerous gas. Often we work with realtors who have had greater success selling homes that have radon testing completed. If you are having trouble selling your home, or just want to speed up the process, have a professional test the home for radon.

Radon Testing Results

Your testing results will paint the full picture as far as the safety of your home. Anything above 4.0 pCi/L is deemed above the allowable limit for radon, and a mitigation system should be installed. If your levels are right at, or just below the allowable limit, you may want to have an air purification system installed to be safe.

S.W.A.T. Environmental is the largest radon reduction company, and has been providing properly installed mitigation systems since 1988. With over forty locations, we probably have an office near the city you live. It is important to hire a professional for your radon testing and mitigation as your life is at risk. There is never an obligation, and a free quote is only a phone call away. Contact S.W.A.T. Environmental for professional radon mitigation.

Radon in water is one of the most serious cancer-causing agents in America. Therefore, exposure to it is a danger that all homeowners should consider. Radon can affect houses of every size and type and can threaten both brand new homes and those that were built some time ago. For this reason, ensuring that the home is free of radon is of vital importance for all homeowners.

Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that is also naturally radioactive. It is produced during the process of radioactive decay in uranium, which is found to some degree in all rock and soil. Generally, the radon itself decays, releasing various forms of radiation including gamma rays, alpha and beta radiation. This process continues over a long period of time until the radon is reduced to a non-radioactive form.

When human beings are exposed to radon, lung cancer can result as the radioactive material is inhaled into the lungs where it attacks the vulnerable lung tissue. Due to this effect, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Only habitual smoking poses a higher risk of lung cancer.

Sources of Radon in Water

Radon in water is dangerous because any disturbance of the water, such as heating it or using it in the shower or washing machine, can lead to the waterborne radon being released into the air where it can then be inhaled into the lungs. Therefore, contaminated water is the second greatest source of dangerous levels of household radon.

The primary source of waterborne radon is well-based water. Water drawn from granite-based wells, which are commonly known as artisan wells, is often the source of the high levels of radon gas that is dissolved into the well water. Thus, homes and water systems that are heavily supplied from groundwater sources are at a higher risk of high levels of dissolved radon and the subsequent danger of airborne radon contamination.

Testing and Mitigation Strategies for Radon in Water

There are many relatively inexpensive test kits available for purchase that you can use to estimate the radon levels in your home’s water supply. In many cases, the state itself may provide these kits, or at least have information on where they may be obtained. Regardless, however, many homeowners choose to have SWAT Environmental perform an in-depth professional check of the home to determine the amount of radon in its water supply.

If high levels of waterborne radon are detected, there are a number of methods to deal with it, depending on the level of contamination. A common method for eliminating radon is the use of granular activated carbon filters, which bind the radon to the carbon. Specialized water aeration systems are another option; they allow the radon to be harmlessly dispersed into the outside air. SWAT Environmental’s radon abatement specialists will be able to determine how best to handle the problem in your home.

Waterborne radon can be a serious home health hazard, but by testing for radon and relying on effective and economical mitigation strategies, your house can be rendered radon-free.

Radon is a silent killer of that can be found all over the world. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is released from decaying radioactive elements found naturally in rock and soil. Radon can become extremely dangerous when it accumulates in confined indoor spaces; due to the radioactive particles it contains, it is carcinogenic to humans who have been exposed to significant amounts of the gas. Radon distribution throughout a home or office is directly related to the building’s ventilation. The poorer the ventilation, the higher the likelihood of radon concentration.

Radon Abatement and Preventing Radon Entry

For radon abatement to be successful, SWAT Environmental’s experts must determine where the gas is coming from in the first place. There are several ways by which radon can enter a home. One of the most common is by seeping through cracks in the floor or walls of a concrete foundation. Another typical entry point is the spaces between the basement walls and slab. An opening around a sump pump or drain is another fairly common way radon can infiltrate a home, as is a crawl space.

Determining the Necessity of Radon Abatement

Since radon is present in the ground everywhere in the United States to some degree, the Environmental Protection Act suggests that every home be tested for radon. Unfortunately, none of your five senses will pick up on the presence of radon gas; obviously, it would be foolish to wait until signs of radon poisoning show up before taking action. If you wish, you can purchase a home radon test kit; however, the professional test SWAT’s experts perform is much more accurate and quick.

The Impact of Radon Abatement

If unsafe levels of radon are detected in your home, you should have radon abatement performed as soon as possible. SWAT Environmental’s radon abatement specialist will be able to analyze the problem and tackle it from every angle. In many cases, the first step is to seal all obvious points of entry for the gas. However, complete protection from radon gas requires diverse and complex approaches, depending on the situation. For example, active soil depressurization units can be added to the home to reduce radon levels. Put in simple terms, these systems work by pumping contaminated air out from beneath the house, then expelling it out and away from the house into the open air where it will do no harm, bypassing the home in the process. Additional components of the system help replace the air inside the house with clean air from outside.

In conclusion, radon abatement may be needed in your home, but you would never know it without first conducting a radon test. If the test concludes that high levels of radon are present in your home, then you and your family are in danger. SWAT’s abatement specialists can design a system of radon mitigation that ensures you are kept safe.