When you think about it, every breath you take is full of radioactive elements. While the benefits of indoor air quality are well documented, many people are unaware that their homes contain naturally occurring levels of radioactivity. One of these radioactive substances is radon, which is naturally produced from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. Radon has been linked to lung cancer, but thankfully it’s not as prevalent as it used to be. In fact, the EPA estimates that only around 14,000 people in the US get cancer from radon exposure each year. Nevertheless, it’s still important to know how to reduce your home’s levels of this naturally occurring gas if you live in an area that has high levels of it. Here are some tips on how you can lower your home’s radon levels so you can breathe easier:
The first step in reducing your home’s radon levels is to know what your home’s risk rating is. To do this, you’ll need to get your home’s risk rating from the EPA’s online “radon fact sheet”. You can either find your ZIP code on the fact sheet or you can use the online tool to get your home’s risk rating. Once you know what your home’s risk rating is, you can use this information to determine what steps you need to take to reduce your levels.
If you live in an older home, you may not have a central HVAC system, which means you’ll have to rely on natural ventilation to keep your home cool and prevent the build-up of dangerous levels of carbon dioxide. If you don’t have a central HVAC system, you may be able to increase your home’s natural ventilation by installing a ductless HVAC system. This is a great way to increase your home’s ventilation without paying for a brand new HVAC system. If you do have a central HVAC system, you can increase your home’s ventilation by installing a duct fan. Duct fans are particularly helpful in reducing the levels of carbon dioxide in your home. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of human activity, but high levels can be dangerous to your health.
If you live in a high-risk area and your home’s risk rating is over 4, you may want to install a radon mitigation system. A radon mitigation system is an underground system that captures and removes radon gas from your home’s air. There are several types of radon mitigation systems, but the most common one is a sub-slab system. This system involves placing a pipe below the ground and connecting it to a fan that pulls in fresh air from the outside. This fresh air will replace the air in your home and reduce the levels of radon gas.
If you don’t have a central HVAC system, you can still reduce your home’s levels of air pollution by installing an air purifier. Air purifiers are particularly helpful in reducing the levels of carbon dioxide in your home. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of human activity, but high levels can be dangerous to your health. If you don’t have a central HVAC system, you can increase your home’s ventilation by installing a duct fan. Duct fans are particularly helpful in reducing the levels of carbon dioxide in your home. Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of human activity, but high levels can be dangerous to your health.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced when uranium breaks down in soil and rock. While the benefits of indoor air quality are well documented, many people are unaware that their homes contain naturally occurring levels of radioactivity. One of these radioactive substances is radon, which is naturally produced from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It’s important to know how to reduce your home’s levels of this naturally occurring gas if you live in an area that has high levels of it.
Make it a habit to clean regularly. By being religious in your daily cleaning routine, you develop a sense of order and standards. Learn to remove items that are not essential especially if your space is tiny. Go for a minimalist yet functional approach at home to keep your place organized and clean.
A healthy home is where you can breathe and live freely. Remove damp spaces and always keep your home well-ventilated and well-lighted. Eliminate possible allergens by maintaining your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Regularly replace your air filters every 3 months to avoid build-up of dust and dirt.