Radon is a radioactive gas released during the breaking down of Uranium. This makes it very difficult for one to notice its presence in their homes or the atmosphere surrounding them. The only sure way of identifying whether radon is present in your home is getting your home tested. Luckily, home test kits are readily available in the local store, and one can easily purchase and conduct a test in their home. If one’s home has a high radon level, there are radon mitigation systems that are meant to reduce the level of radon.
Radon Levels by County
The counties with the highest average radon values are Chemung county, Courtland county, and Allegany county. Allegany County had an average of 10.82pCi/L, while Chemung County had an average of 12.5pCi/L. The Courtland County had the highest average value at 14.82pCi/L.
Radon Level in New York
The number of homes tested in 2012 in New York, Bronx, Kings, Richmond, and Queens are as follows:
- New York-112,
- Bronx-91,
- Kings-427,
- Queens-413,
- Richmond-229.
The maximum concentration for these towns as follows:
- New York-49.5,
- Bronx-16.0,
- Kings-28.2,
- Queens-23.8,
- Richmond-14.1.
Measurements are in pCi/L. The percentage of homes with levels from 4pCi/L to 20pCi/L is as follows:
- New York-9.8%,
- Bronx-7.7%,
- Kings-8.7%,
- Queens-3.5%,
- Richmond-7%.
The percentage of homes with levels above 20pCi/L is as follows:
- New York-0.9%,
- Bronx-0%,
- Kings-0.7%,
- Queens-0.2%,
- Richmond-0%.
Radon Testing Kit in North Carolina
The radon test kits can be purchased in North Carolina via a website called Aircheck Inc.radon.com. Here, the test kits are retailing at US $14.95 for the short-term kit or US$36.00 for a three 3-park of the same. The long-term alpha kit is retailing at the US $25.95.
Health risks of UVA and UVB
UVA penetrates into the deep skin and affects the connective tissues as well as the blood tissues. It also causes a gradual loss in the skin’s elasticity, causing the skin to wrinkle. The ultimate effect of this is premature aging. In more dire cases, UVA can cause skin cancer. On the other hand, UVB can either preventive or harmful depending on the dosage. It activates the skin to produce a thicker epidermis which defends the skin from further damage by the UV. Nonetheless, high levels of UVB can cause sunburns hence escalating the possibility of developing skin cancer.
Radiation sickness
Radiation sickness occurs when the human body or other living things like animals are exposed to great amounts of ionizing radiation. The contact with radioactive substances can be instantaneous or continual. Acute exposure is a single large exposure occurring at ago while chronic exposure occurs in small amount spread over a period of time. In case of an exposure, do not remain in the area where it occurred for long. The exposed parts of the body should not be applied with ointments.
Exposed persons must get rid of the clothes they were in at the time of exposure to reduce the level of exposure. A person should not be indecisive on whether to seek therapeutic attention or not. Each person should keep away from avoidable contact with radiation at all times. Workers operating in areas with elevated levels of radiation should not work devoid of badges to quantify their level of radiation. During tests and radiation therapies, areas that areas of the body that are not being tasted should not be left uncovered.