什么是氡气?
How to test for and treat your home for this colorless, odorless and dangerous gas.
首先是坏消息. Radon gas is colorless, tasteless and odorless, and it's deadly. Radon is responsible for 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths yearly and is the second leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United 状态s.
氡来自于土壤中铀的衰变. It can enter your home through cracks in the foundation and other openings and then rises up. Once inside, radon builds up, causing a larger problem. Any home may have a radon problem — and the worst thing you can do is ignore it. "The biggest danger is assuming t在这里's not a problem because you don't notice a problem,杰伊·所罗门说。, environmental and energy stewardship extension educator with the University of Illinois Extension.
幸运的是，有个好消息. 识别氡是可行的. Target this hidden hazard — and take action — with these tips.
测试你家里的氡含量
The only way to know if you have radon is to test your home. 幸运的是, 氡检测试剂盒 are easy to use, inexpensive and only take a matter of minutes to set up. The most common tests measure radon levels over the course of about a week. Depending on the type of test you take, you may be able to gather results within a couple days. After submitting your results, you're typically notified about the outcome within about two weeks. For accurate results, follow the instructions on the test package.
知道你的氡气数值
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), 还有“很有可能”, 你的测试将会产生阳性结果,所罗门说. In fact, the national average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi / L. EPA建议的行动水平是4 pCi/L. If your test yields 4 pCi/L or higher, it's best to take a second test to confirm.
采取行动
If your test results come back high, you'll want to invest in a radon reduction system. A base system can range in cost from $900 to $1,500, 所罗门说, 而且你会为先进的系统付更多的钱. 看看 你们州的氡计划 and look for licensed radon mitigation contractors. Gather several estimates and obtain references to ensure you find the right contractor for the job.
要勤奋
To ensure safety, Solomon recommends testing your home every few years. "As soil breaks down, you can get higher levels of radon gas over time," he says. For instance, the state of Illinois recommends testing every three years, plus or minus a season. "If you tested in summer before, test in the spring, fall or winter next time," says Solomon.
