Radon Mitigation and Testing in Cambridge

What is radon?

Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless radioactive gas that comes from underground and is released into the air when uranium decays. However, radon can get trapped inside your home as it enters through the cracks and openings in your basement floor or house foundation, and it can pose dangerous health risks as it concentrates over time.

You can’t be certain if you have high radon levels without proper testing. SWAT Environmental can help you test for radon and manage your home’s radon levels with our radon remediation systems, so you can protect your family from dangerous exposure.

Radon in Cambridge

While radon can be found anywhere across the United States, it is especially important for homeowners and property managers in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to test their properties for radon. The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes Cambridge as in radon gas Zone 1, with radon levels averaging higher than 4.0 pCi/L, which is considered dangerously high.

Why Is Radon Dangerous?

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer affecting nonsmokers, killing up to 21,000 people every year, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

How Do I Know If I’ve Been Exposed?

According to the American Cancer Society, radon exposure has been connected to the following symptoms:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarseness
• Trouble swallowing

Symptoms of radon exposure aren’t obvious or distinct, as they only occur after prolonged exposure and can be associated with other health conditions, such as allergies. Because radon is odorless and colorless, it is essential to test your home for radon with an at-home test or by hiring a professional.

Common Homeowner Mistakes

Here are some frequent misconceptions about radon that homeowners often have:

• Radon cannot collect in my home because I recently had the basement resealed. While sealing your basement or foundation can reduce radon temporarily, it’s not a long-term solution. Radon can still enter your home, and then it needs to be able to get out. A radon mitigation system is a better choice.
• I already tested my home for radon, and the test was negative. Even if you tested before, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends testing every two years. It’s important to retest if you’ve done any renovations or are selling your home, even if you have a mitigation system already.
• My home is safe because it has a radon mitigation system. While these systems are a good first step to protecting your home, they aren’t infallible. Retesting periodically ensures your system is working properly. Because radon levels can vary due to factors such as ventilation and weather, you may need to adjust your system.

Get a Radon Quote in Minutes

Speak with one of our professionals for radon testing and mitigation in Cambridge. If you have already tested for radon, we have various radon systems and solutions to help you achieve clean, healthy air for your household or rental property. Request a quote, or call us today!