Why Radon Abatement is Necessary

Removing Radon Gas from Your Denver Home Could Save Your Life

Radon gas is a clear and odorless substance that is formed from the breakdown of radioactive elements like thorium and uranium that can be naturally found in the soil. It can easily accumulate in enclosed spaces like office buildings and homes, and it can be extremely dangerous to people who regularly inhale it.

Radon gas poses a significant health risk when it becomes trapped indoors. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon ranks second only to cigarette smoking as the most common cause of lung cancer. Every year radon reportedly claims over 20,000 lives due to lung cancer in the United States. These grim statistics make radon gas abatement critical both for communities and individuals.

Why Passive Radon Abatement Methods are Ineffective by Themselves

Passive radon abatement methods, such as sealing foundational cracks and other openings to prevent radon gas from seeping into the interior of the home from the ground outside, are generally insufficient on their own to reduce excessively high interior radon levels. This is due to the nature of radon gas and how it reacts when under pressure. Although it is a heavy gas, it can be drawn up through various materials, such as expansion joints, concrete, utility units or drains. The only effective way to significantly reduce radon levels permanently is by actively collecting the gas from inside the building and releasing it safely outdoors in a way that prevents it from being able to regain future entry. However, passive abatement methods, when used in conjunction with active radon abatement, can help reduce the risk of additional problems in the future.

The Most Effective Methods of Radon Abatement

According to the EPA, when a building contains radon gas levels of 4.0 pCi/l or higher, the radon needs to be reduced as quickly as possible. SWAT Environmental handles this task in the Denver area, and they can use several different methods to do so. The most common method of radon gas abatement is known as active soil depressurization. This innovative technique uses a vacuum-like suction to pull the gas outside to the open air, where it dissipates and becomes harmless. During the setup of this type of system, a specialized electric suction fan must be attached to PVC piping that is run from below the foundation to above the roof. This method of radon reduction using suction fans has an effective rate of up to 99 percent, as radon gas levels will begin to decrease almost instantly.

Modern home building standards usually focus on making a home air tight to conserve energy. Unfortunately, this only makes it more likely that radon gas will become trapped within the home. If testing reveals that your Denver home contains excessively high levels of radon gas, an active radon abatement system from SWAT Environmental can reduce them safely and effectively.