You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it — but this cancer-causing gas can be found in Davidson County homes at dangerous levels, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. So how is this gas getting into your Nashville home, and how can you tell if its there?

January is National Radon Action Month, and E3 INNOVATE wants to take a moment to educate homeowners on this mysterious and dangerous threat to the health of your home and your family.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that is a byproduct of the breakdown of uranium in the soil underneath our feet. It is primarily inhaled or ingested. The radiation that radon emits is the same alpha radiation found in plutonium. Similar to carbon monoxide, it is undetectable by the five senses. It also happens to be the second leading cause of lung cancer on the US (behind smoking).

Though there is no amount of radon exposure that is 100% safe, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends taking action after levels in a home reach above 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The bad news for Nashville homeowners?

The average (mean) level of radon after 2,293 tests in Davidson County homes was 5.2 pCi/L.

E3 INNOVATE has measured levels in some homes above 20 pCi/L!

The Side Effects of Radon

Without testing for it, you won’t be able to tell that you are ingesting radon unless you start to notice the effects it is having on your lungs. Radon radiation will begin to damage the cells in your lungs, and you may begin to notice related symptoms like:

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

• Increased  infections like bronchitis and pneumonia

• Chest pain

• Coughing up blood

Radon Testing & Mitigation

The first step in reducing your radon exposure is to test your home. From there, the process of keeping the threat at bay is a complicated one that should be left to a professional. This is because one of the ways radon infiltrates your home is through cracks and gaps in your windows, crawlspace, and even your ductwork. And even when those holes and gaps are properly sealed, it can trap dangerous radon inside your home. Homes that are more at risk for radon exposure require a radon mitigation system to actively remove excess radiation.

With E3 INNOVATE, your radon mitigation system will be customized to the radon needs of your home. Our radon removal experts will locate the problem areas using the latest in diagnostic testing technology and work alongside you to develop the perfect system to keep the air you breathe inside your own home safer for years to come. Your custom home solution may also include the installation of a ventilation system or air purifier, which will also keep your home free of mold and other harmful contaminants.

January is National Radon Action Month — what is your radon exposure risk? Test and mitigate with E3 INNOVATE. Contact us today to get started!