Radon Testing in Large BuildingsThe existence of dangerous radon gas levels in large buildings can sometimes be overlooked. Many people think of radon testing and radon mitigation when buying or selling a residential home, but are unaware of the fact that radon gas can build up in any livable structure. Schools, office buildings, hospitals, airports, warehouses, factories, and stores can all harbor radon levels that have the potential to cause lung cancer to its occupants. Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and alarmingly kills around 21,000 people a year in the US alone according to studies done by the EPA. Properly testing for radon is the only way to know if there is an issue inside of a structure. This is because radon gas is invisible to the eye, and cannot be felt or smelled. The damaging effects of radon comes from the decay chain. As radon gas decays, it releases tiny radioactive particles that can attach to the dust in the air. When inhaled over time, these radioactive particles can cause mutations in the lung tissue that can cause lung cancer. As many Americans spend 8-10 hours a day inside of large buildings for work, or recreation, it is important to be mindful of the air quality in such buildings. It can be fairly simple to accrue massive amounts of exposure to radon gas without ever knowing it. All radon testing done in large structures should be performed by a professional, as it is a more complicated process than a simple residential home. Lifetime Environmental Solutions is certified for radon testing in large buildings and multi-family dwellings by the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) and the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP). Choosing the right company to test your large building for radon is crucial, as you are going to want accurate, honest, and detailed test results before making a decision to proceed with radon mitigation if necessary. Give us a call today for a free radon testing quote!
Radon Testing in Schools |
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Children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of radon gas because of their increased respiratory rate, lung size, and proximity to the ground where radon gas typically is at its highest level. With children spending every weekday inside of a school for up to 8 hours, it is vital that the building they are learning in is safe from dangers such as radon gas. Radon testing is affordable and painless to perform, so there is no reason that any school should not be tested. When performing a radon test in a school setting, devices should be placed in every frequently occupied room on the ground level. This includes classrooms, libraries, labs, auditoriums, offices, and cafeterias. Radon testing in schools is typically done during summer or winter breaks because closed building conditions need to be observed for the duration of the radon test. This is also done to limit the chance of a student or staff member disrupting an of the testing monitors. If the results from any of the testing monitors show radon levels at or above 4.0pCi/L, another test should be performed in those rooms to confirm the result. If the average of both tests still show levels at or above 4.0pCi/L, a radon mitigation system will need to be installed to fix the issue. You can read more about radon mitigation in schools by clicking HERE, or by giving us a call now!
Radon Testing in Hospitals
The presence of a radioactive gas such as radon that can cause damage to the lung is certainly not something that should be in a place where people are at their most vulnerable health wise. Proper radon testing in hospitals should be performed at a minimum of every five years even if a radon mitigation system is already in place. During radon testing in a hospital, all frequently occupied rooms on the ground floor should be sampled. This includes patient rooms, labs, offices, surgery rooms, and lobbies. Lifetime Environmental will take care of placing the devices in the proper areas to comply with AARST and NRPP guidelines, state codes, and EPA regulations. In hospitals it can be tricky to observe closed conditions inside of the building, but during testing we only ask that windows be closed as much as possible, and doors not be left open during the 48 hour test process. As with other large buildings, if any of the radon tests show radon levels at or above the EPA action level of 4.0pCi/L, a followup test should be performed to confirm the results. If the average of both tests are still of concern, a radon mitigation system will be necessary to lower the radon levels to safe range. Give us a call today for a free radon testing estimate!
Radon Testing in Airports
Airports can harbor toxic levels of radon just like any other large building or residential home, and with most airports having massive spaces with direct contact with the ground, it is possible that they can harbor high concentrations of radon over a large area. Airport employees, TSA agents, and travelers spend a lot of time inside of airports, so there is potential of developing lung cancer if said airports have an unchecked radon issue. Certified radon testing companies such as Lifetime Environmental Solutions, are the only qualified people to test for radon in properties as large as airports. Every frequently used ground floor room needs to be tested in order for a proper test to be performed. This includes offices, waiting areas, storefronts, restaurants, loading bays, and terminals. Once testing has been performed, a decision on whether or not a radon mitigation system is necessary or not can be made. 4.0pCi/L is the threshold set by the EPA, so if a room inside of the airport tests at or above that level, mitigation should be performed. Give us a call today for a free, no obligation radon testing estimate.
Radon Testing in Office Buildings
Safety in the workplace is a concern for many businesses, however many businesses are unaware of the presence of radon inside of their buildings. The ground floor of an office building can easily be space where radon gas has built up into unsafe, cancer causing levels. The only way to identify a radon issue inside of a building is to professionally test for it. Radon testing is becoming more common as more and more studies are being done showing radons harmful effects on the lungs. Radon testing is a fairly simple and entirely painless process to go through when you choose the right company for the job. Testing your building for radon will not only help save the lives of the occupants inside, but also can increase property values if the building is ever sold. Give us a call today for a free radon testing estimate, and get the ball rolling on a safer office space today!