Living in Florida has always been a pleasurable experience. Whether you reside there with your family or on a trip, Florida never fails to please you with its attractions. But, The Florida Department of Health has given a report that says About 1 in 5 radon tests made in Florida are found to be raised above the accepted level.
People who are living or who are planning for relocation to Florida all are worried about the stats, and everyone wants to find out if radon gas is common in Florida or is it just gossip spreading around.
Homeowners, buyers, and everyone who is connected to Florida in one way, or another are concerned as radon gas is hazardous for humans. We all know the fact that radon has been rated as the first leading cause of cancer among people who do not smoke around the US, as declared by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Other than that, it is more alarming and creates fear when you come to know that radon is odorless, you can’t see it, and you cannot smell. The only approach to know about its occurrence is through the test.
Get all your worries resolved now and read this article to see if radon gas is common in Florida or not?
What is radon, and where does it come from?
Radon is a radioactive noble gas, and as mentioned above, it is invisible and odorless in nature. It does not even have a taste or smell through which you can recognize the gas.
Naturally, it comes from the decomposition of uranium present in the soil, and as it is gas, it rises to the ground and mixes up in the air. It can build up in homes, and when exposed for a long time, it can be hazardous for humans.
How is radon measured?
The level of radon existing in the current atmosphere is measured in Picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The greater it is, the more concentration it confirms. EPA has derived down levels by which you can determine what actions you need to take based on the test results.
Lower than 2 pCi/L means that the radon level is low, and there is no need to take any actions at this stage. You can test again if you make changes in your house, such as shifting to a lower level.
Between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L shows that radon is significantly present in the air, and you should think about installing a radon mitigation system. After a few weeks, conduct the test again and see if the level is reduced or not.
If results show higher than 4 pCi/L radon level, installing a radon-reduction system is a must. If you previously have a mitigation system in place, get it checked yourself or call a professional if required. Also, perform a second test just to verify that you are attaining the true accurate results.
In a nutshell, the lower the average pCi/L level is present in the air, the lower radon is present, and vice versa.
Presence of radon gas in Florida
Coming back to the state of Florida, EPA has drawn out a map showing radon zones specific to each state. The Florida EPA map depicts that radon gas is present but at different levels. It has divided the map into 3 zones. You can see that Florida does have an area where the level is high. But the overall situation seems to be normal as there is no county zone 1, and only 8 counties lie within zone 2.
Given the results, radon is not so common in Florida, but the conditions defer home to home. Though the map depicts that elevated radon is not present, homes with elevated levels are still found. Thus, getting tested is the most appropriate action you can take in order to provide a healthy environment.
Conclusion
You should understand that no radon level is safe, so even if you are getting low-level radon results, you should act before it reaches a higher level and goes beyond control. The earlier you take action, the better it is.
Talking about Florida, keep in mind that radon is a gas, and it sees no boundaries. No matter where you live, getting your home tested for radon is necessary as it is the only way to determine its presence.
In any case, if results show even a minor presence of radon, you should be aware of some of the best ways to mitigate radon. Moreover, provide yourself and your family with healthy air to breathe by knowing how does radon enters a home and what you can do to avoid it.