Radon 101: The Silent Killer
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 | Uncategorized | No Comments
By Donnie Bentley
Owner & Founder of RadonTN and Bentley & Associates, LLC Home Inspection Services
Most of us have heard of radon for several decades or more, but surprisingly, many of us still know little about radon.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon can also be found in certain building materials commonly used in home construction, although radon from these sources rarely create problems within our homes. The radon gas that is the principle source of elevated radon levels in homes is found in our soil, and due to our proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains, residents in our area of East Tennessee are subjected to much higher levels of radon gas than people living in other areas of the country.
So radon is a gas, but why is that important you might ask? Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in our nation for non-smokers. It’s an enormous health risk for Americans, but, sadly, goes undetected by most of us. That’s because we can’t see, feel, or taste radon gas, and because it goes undetected, it usually goes untreated.
So what do we know? We know it’s a naturally occurring process. Cancer-causing radon gas is produced in the soil and enters our homes through cracks and other openings in our home’s foundation. Further complicating this radon problem is the fact that new homes, in order to conserve energy, are designed to prevent the infiltration of outside air, trapping radon gas within our homes.
Fortunately, the solution is much simpler than you might have imagined. Tests are available that can determine the radon levels within your home in as little as 48 hours. Should your home’s radon levels exceed those standards recommended by the EPA, there are efficient and cost-effective solutions to mitigate the unsafe radon gas levels within your home.
Here’s where it gets sticky. Who can you trust?
In 1997, I launched Bentley & Associates, LLC, a Tennessee licensed home inspection company that has earned a reputation for both integrity and trust by more than 10,000 satisfied area homeowners. As a member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, combined with nearly two decades of experience, my staff and I possess the knowledge and experience necessary to understand your home’s structure and how to mitigate unsafe radon gas levels that might exist. In addition, I’m also certified under the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) as a radon professional. Combining our experience as certified home inspectors with our skills as certified radon mitigation specialists make us uniquely qualified to access radon levels in your home and to recommend solutions to high radon gas levels should they be present. We believe that this combination of inspection and mitigation skills offer you and your family a level of expertise far beyond that found elsewhere in the industry.
As it is no doubt clear, our fundamental knowledge of the home inspection industry offers today’s homeowner a level of expertise and proficiency in the radon mitigation industry that is truly unique. This is the same expertise that has helped us successfully differentiate ourselves with homeowners in the field of home pest control through our companion company, Statewide Pest & Property Services, Inc.
Your family’s health is important, and what you don’t know about radon can prove to be harmful. For your and your family’s peace of mind, won’t you call me today?
RadonTN
Statewide Pest & Property Services, Inc.
Bentley & Associates, LLC Home Inspection Services
7400 Highway 411 East
Lenoir City, TN 37772
(865) 300-2974
(888) 323-6853 toll free
www.bentleyhomeinspection.com
www.statewidepest.net
