Radon gas is probably the last thing on your mind as a Quarryville PA homeowner. “What tiles will look good in my master bathroom?” “Should I install sod or plant seeds to start my lawn?” These are just a couple of questions that run through the minds of excited home buyers. Questions about radon mitigation and testing in Quarryville almost never come up, but they should.
Radon testing is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of your home and your loved ones. Every home should be tested for radon exposure, as elevated levels can pose serious health risks. Take action today and learn more about the importance of radon testing by visiting the CDC’s website.
Here are some facts about radon and radon mitigation Quarryville PA homeowners should should know:
According to the National Institutes of Health, along with permeating through cracks in a home’s foundation, radon gas can also be released from building materials, such as sandstone, concrete, brick, natural stone, gypsum, and granite, for example. It can also enter a home via a radon-contaminated well that supplies that home with water. Radon gas is radioactive and damages cells which can result in cancerous tumors. While exposure to radon doesn’t lead to a cancer diagnosis right away, the substance causes continuous damage within body over time which can ultimately lead to development of the disease. Radon‘s radioactive particles are known to settle within the lining of the lungs and cause cell damage there. Researchers conclude that radon exposure is the cause of approximately 21,250 lung cancer deaths annually, including residents right here in Quarryville Pennsylvania.
Most health experts agree that exposure to radiation is toxic to the human body. While radon can form in just about any home under the right conditions, the likelihood of it happening is much higher, according to World Population Review, in the following geographic areas: Northwest, North-Central, Northeast, and Southeast United States. Radioactive substances are associated with nuclear power plants and uranium mines. Unless you’re a miner or work at a power plant, you probably don’t believe that your risk of exposure is high enough to warrant concern. In this case, you’d be wrong. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that’s a byproduct of decayed uranium found deep within the earth including areas of Quarryville PA. When the gas rises from the ground, most of it dissipates in the outdoor air. However, some of the gas seeps into homes and commercial buildings and gets trapped inside. Since you can’t see, smell, or taste radon, the gas can build up to hazardous levels without anyone noticing the problem until it’s too late.
Interesting Facts About Quarryville PA
Quarryville is located in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. The population of Quarryville PA and surrounding areas is 30,875. The Mayor is Joseph Bledsoe of Quarryville Borough-Lancaster County which is located at 300 Saint Catherine St, Quarryville PA 17566. The local school system is Solanco School District which has the national school code of 4221810 and FIPS code of 42071014402. The median income in Quarryville PA is $62,663 with an unemployment rate of 5.3%. The average house value is $202,006 and median rent price is $991. Both single family homes and rental properties in Quarryville Pennsylvania should be tested for radon and mitigation should be performed when necessary.
The average age of Quarryville residents is 30.4 years old. The local post office can be found at 220 W STATE ST, QUARRYVILLE PA 17566-5000. The city center has the following geo coordinates: 39.8957 latitude, -76.1617 longitude which can precisely be found near 13 East Second Street, Quarryville, PA 17566. The metropolitan market falls within the Lancaster, PA region and is within the 717 area code. Since Pennsylvania radon problems are fairly common, it is important that all Quarryville PA dwellings are subject to frequent radon testing and mitigation when necessary.
Quarryville, Pennsylvania encompasses the following counties: Lancaster and includes the following zip codes: 17566.
Radon Problems in Quarryville Homes
When you think of health hazards in Quarryville PA, a slew of external threats come to mind. However, the radioactive byproducts of radon are a deadly foe that’s found right at home where you’re supposed to be the safest. If you have certain unexplained respiratory ailments, you should check for symptoms of radon exposure. Some of the common signals that your lungs have been compromised by radon include wheezing, coughing up blood, and chest pain. Radon gas is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer in America, including Quarryville Pennsylvania.
When experts conduct radon mitigation in Lancaster County PA, they find that the gas and its radioactive particles are waterborne as well as airborne. The gas contaminates groundwater but often gets detected and removed at municipal water treatment centers. People who rely on well water should get their water tested for radon even though waterborne radon problems are generally less common than airborne, especially in Quarryville. According to Ivery Oleary, radon gas is responsible for approximately 60 deaths each day in the United States.
The only way that you can make sure that your Lancaster County home is free from radon is by testing the air and water in dwelling. While most people prefer professional radon testing, you can get a quick look at your home’s radon status with an at-home radon test kit. Most Quarryville PA hardware stores sell these test kits and they are also available online at reasonable prices.
Basements tend to have higher levels of airborne radon than other parts of homes or businesses. If you have a basement, it’s best to start your test there. If your home is built on a crawl space or slab, conduct the radon test on the lowest livable level. As a resident of Pennsylvania, radon testing and mitigation should be a routine step in home ownership. According to the National Institutes of Health, along with permeating through cracks in a home’s foundation, radon gas can also be released from building materials, such as sandstone, concrete, brick, natural stone, gypsum, and granite, for example. It can also enter a home via a radon-contaminated well that supplies that home with water.
More Information About Radon Mitigation in Quarryville Pennsylvania
If you have high levels of radon in your home or workplace, you’ll need a professional Pennsylvania radon mitigation company to install a radon reduction system on your property. SWAT Environmental services all Lancaster County, PA including Quarryville and the 17566 area. During the installation process, technicians seal gaps, cracks, or openings that lead to the ground. They follow up by installing a system that creates vacuum suction under the building using negative pressure. Radon gas that builds up underneath the home gets drawn into the vacuum tubes and away from the structure before it seeps into interior spaces.
Conclusion: You probably already know that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States according to the research that the American Cancer Society and Quarryville health authorities continue to conduct. However, most people don’t know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country. While radon can form in just about any home under the right conditions, the likelihood of it happening is much higher, according to World Population Review, in the following geographic areas: Northwest, North-Central, Northeast, and Southeast United States. This deadly runner-up slides under the radar with many homeowners because it’s not easily detected without a special test. After learning about the harmful effects of radon, governing bodies continue to advocate for widespread testing and radon mitigation across Pennsylvania cities. Just remember, radon mitigation systems in Quarryville PA are very common and actually increase the value of the home.