Radon gas is probably the last thing on your mind as a Staten Island NY 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 Staten Island 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 Staten Island NY homeowners should should know:
Most will agree that inspecting and ridding one’s home of radon is serious business. To accomplish one or both of these tasks, homeowners would do best to hire a contractor approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 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 Staten Island New York.
Most health experts agree that exposure to radiation is toxic to the human body. Radon kills more Americans every year than all other household hazards combined. 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 Staten Island NY. 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 Staten Island NY
Staten Island is located in Richmond County New York. The population of Staten Island NY and surrounding areas is 476,143. The Executive is Kyrstle Canales of Processing Office which is located at 3 Leason Place, New York NY 10314. The local school system is New York City Department Of Education which has the national school code of 3620580 and FIPS code of 36085000800. The median income in Staten Island NY is $17,500 with an unemployment rate of 3.1%. The average house value is $100,143 and median rent price is $1,093. Both single family homes and rental properties in Staten Island New York should be tested for radon and mitigation should be performed when necessary.
The average age of Staten Island residents is 59 years old. The local post office can be found at 567 TOMPKINS AVE, STATEN ISLAND NY 10305-9997. The city center has the following geo coordinates: 40.5834 latitude, -74.1496 longitude which can precisely be found near 3 Leason Place, New York, NY 10314. The metropolitan market falls within the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA region and is within the 718 area code. Since New York radon problems are fairly common, it is important that all Staten Island NY dwellings are subject to frequent radon testing and mitigation when necessary.
Staten Island, New York encompasses the following counties: Richmond and includes the following zip codes: 10302 10303 10310 10306 10307 10308 10309 10312 10301 10304 10305 10314.
Radon Problems in Staten Island Homes
When you think of health hazards in Staten Island NY, 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 Staten Island New York.
When experts conduct radon mitigation in Richmond County NY, 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 Staten Island. According to Kyrstle Canales, radon gas is responsible for approximately 60 deaths each day in the United States.
The only way that you can make sure that your Richmond 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 Staten Island NY 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 New York, radon testing and mitigation should be a routine step in home ownership. Most will agree that inspecting and ridding one’s home of radon is serious business. To accomplish one or both of these tasks, homeowners would do best to hire a contractor approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
More Information About Radon Mitigation in Staten Island New York
If you have high levels of radon in your home or workplace, you’ll need a professional New York radon mitigation company to install a radon reduction system on your property. SWAT Environmental services all Richmond County, NY including Staten Island and the 10314 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 Staten Island health authorities continue to conduct. However, most people don’t know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country. Radon kills more Americans every year than all other household hazards combined. 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 New York cities. Just remember, radon mitigation systems in Staten Island NY are very common and actually increase the value of the home.