Key Takeaways
- Radon is a radioactive gas that poses a significant health risk to your respiratory system if exposed to the gas in a building for long periods of time.
- Radon testing is the only effective way to identify whether the colorless, odorless gas is present in a space.
- Commercial businesses have a responsibility to make sure all buildings are safe and habitable for occupants, which includes keeping radon levels low.
- Proactive methods for detecting and removing radon include regular testing, active fan systems, and passive ventilation systems.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soil. However, even though it is naturally occurring, it can be harmful if you are exposed to it in large amounts. Radon poses significant health risks to anyone who is exposed, so businesses must be proactive about detecting and removing radon to ensure the health of everyone who passes through their property.
Because radon is not easily detectable as an invisible, odorless gas, it’s crucial to be proactive, and the only true and reliable way to detect radon is through testing. Taking the proper steps for radon testing and installing radon mitigation systems can keep your business as safe as possible against the risks of this radioactive gas.
What Is the Impact of Radon in Commercial Buildings?
Despite the fact that radon gas is odorless, colorless, and seemingly harmless, it can have harsh impacts, especially if people are exposed to it long-term. These impacts can range from effects on human health to legal concerns.
Some of the impacts of radon in commercial buildings include:
- Health risks
- Business liabilities
- Regulatory concerns
Radon presence in a building can make it unsafe and unhealthy for employees and customers to be inside your business. Fortunately, awareness is the best tool that commercial businesses can have against radon. By understanding the risks and potential impacts of radon, business owners can take the appropriate steps to address and prevent them.
Sources of Radon in Commercial Spaces
Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium and radium in rocks and soils. Because it comes from the soil, radon often enters buildings from the ground through cracks or openings in the foundation, floors, or walls.
Common sources of radon intrusion include:
- Cracks in the building foundation
- Gaps in the floors or walls in the basement
- Openings around sump pumps or floor drains
- Construction joints and entrances for plumbing
- Crawl spaces
- Porous building materials
- Well water with high radon levels
Health Impacts of Radon Exposure on Employees
Long-term radon exposure has serious health risks. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is the leading cause against non-smokers. Studies have found a direct link between consistent radon exposure and lung cancer. For people who smoke, the risks of radon are even more serious, as the risk of getting lung cancer is even higher.
Signs of radon exposure include:
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing that doesn’t go away
The health impacts of radon exposure aren’t clear immediately, and they may take time to develop. As a result, it’s crucial to test for radon regularly to avoid the risk of exposure. Commercial properties must be proactive In testing for radon to truly ensure that their building is as safe as possible for inhabitants.
Radon poses a sneaky threat to your home and health. Alpha Environmental ensures peace of mind with expert radon testing and mitigation.Avoid the Risks of Radon In Your Home
Benefits of Commercial Radon Mitigation
With the many risks of radon gas and the responsibility to ensure the health and well-being of anyone who steps into your business, commercial radon mitigation is a crucial step for reducing the risk of exposure.
Benefits of commercial radon mitigation include:
- Regulatory compliance – In some jurisdictions, business owners are responsible for keeping radon levels to safe amounts.
- Employee health – Radon is dangerous to your employees if they’re consistently exposed; mitigation strategies promote the health of your employees and everyone who passes through your business.
- Consumer confidence – An awareness that your business takes radon seriously makes customers and visitors more comfortable in your space.
The City of Portland recommends that all homes test for radon, regardless of risk level, and businesses should too. With a radon risk level in Portland higher than other parts of the country, seeking radon services is a good idea.
Commercial Radon Mitigation Techniques
If a business detects radon in their building, they should take any steps necessary to address it immediately. Fortunately, there are several measures that a business can take to address high radon levels in their property.
The most common radon mitigation techniques are:
- Active systems – Active systems use a fan to expel radon from a space. These systems are used when high levels of radon gas are already present in a building.
- Passive systems – Passive systems use ventilation to circulate air through a basement or crawlspace and reduce radon concentration. This approach is often best suited for new construction buildings since they should be properly sealed against radon entering.
At Alpha Environmental, we use several strategies to support commercial businesses against radon exposure. We’ll use the above methods in conjunction with effective radon testing to ensure the best possible air quality for your home.
Importance of Proactive Radon Mitigation
Proactive radon mitigation will keep your commercial property free of radon by removing built-up gas from the air. Proactive strategies will contain radon levels to their lowest possible amounts and promote the health and well-being of those on-site.
Commercial mitigation techniques start with testing regularly for radon. Testing methods for commercial radon include:
- Continuous testing – Continuous testing monitors the levels of radon inside your business consistently for 48 hours.
- Long-term testing – Long-term testing provides the most accurate representation of radon levels and fluctuations in your business, monitoring levels for over 90 days.
- Short-term testing – Short-term testing offers the quickest turnaround time, providing results within just a few days. However, it cannot account for fluctuations and may not be the most accurate option.
A professional radon testing service can help you determine the best method for your business. Although there are DIY tests available, they’re not as reliable or as thorough as professional radon testing. Experienced professionals will also provide invaluable support in interpreting your radon test results so you can identify next steps.
Find Trusted Expertise in Radon Mitigation with Alpha Environmental
Radon poses significant health risks to health and safety, so it’s crucial that business owners take steps to keep radon to the safest possible levels. Through appropriate testing and proactive radon mitigation strategies, businesses can preserve the health and safety of everyone on their property.
At Alpha Environmental, we take several steps to support you with radon services through the support of our expert team and the use of state-of-the-art mitigation technologies. From choosing the right level of radon testing to carrying out the most effective radon mitigation solutions, we’ll take the steps necessary to bring radon down to the safest possible levels.
Contact us today to learn more about our radon mitigation strategies and how we can support your business in promoting the safety of everyone on your property.
