Why You Need a Radon Test if You’re Buying a House in Virginia

When uranium in the earth’s crust decays, it turns into radium. This, in turn, can turn into an odorless, colorless gas called radon, which may seep through the rock and soil, and emerge into your home. 

Radon is extremely harmful to your health, and is one of the leading causes of lung cancer – but it’s undetectable without proper testing. That’s why radon testing in Virginia is so important. Read on, and get more details about why you need to have your home in Virginia tested for radon. 

Understanding Radon Risk In Virginia

Radon gas can be released anywhere, and Virginia has three radon zones which have a particularly high risk. A few of the cities which have the highest risk of radon include Augusta, Harrisonburg, Arlington, Falls Church, Covington and more. Even homes in cities in low potential exposure zones, such as Virginia Beach, should still be checked for radon. It’s estimated by the Virginia Department of Health that radon causes more than 700 cases of lung cancer in Virginia each year.

How Does Radon Affect My Health?

Radon is a carcinogen. The radioactive gas enters your lungs, decays and releases radioactive particles that damage your lung cells, and increase your risk of lung cancer. Behind only smoking, radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States. 

Radon, unlike other residential gases like carbon monoxide, has no major side effects or symptoms beyond its carcinogenic qualities. That means there are often no health effects or signs of high radon until lung cancer develops. There also is no way for a lab to test your exposure levels. Home testing is the only way to determine if you have been exposed.

See related: The Dangers of Radon in Your Home

The Importance Of Radon Testing

Radon testing in your home is critical for a simple reason – there is no other way to detect radon, and if your home has an elevated level of radon, you need to mitigate it immediately to prevent further exposure for you and your family. Despite what you may think, any home can be affected by high levels of radon – no matter when or how it was built, what building materials are used, or its location in Virginia.

Radon testing gives you peace of mind, ensuring that your home is free of dangerous radon, or that you can take the proper steps to mitigate high radon levels, in the case that your home does have an elevated radon risk. Whether you have a professional home inspector conduct the test on a home you’re interested in purchasing, or you use a test kit in your home, you should get started right away. 

Test Your Home Right Away

Don’t put your health or the health of your family at risk. If you are a homeowner in Virginia, or you’re interested in purchasing a home in the area, have it tested for radon – it’s the only way to protect yourself and your property from harmful radon gas.