What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that emanates from soil and bedrock, including granite and can seep into homes primarily through cracks and seams in foundation floors and walls. It may also dissolve into well water and then be released into the home when the water is used.
Is It Dangerous?
Radon is a known carcinogen, a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue. It is the leading cause of non-smoking related lung cancer in the United States and smokers living in high radon homes are at greater risk of lung cancer. Learn more about the health risks associated with radon through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Is There Radon in New Hampshire?
Absolutely. We are known as the Granite State after all! It is enough of a concern here that Governor Chris Sununu declared January 2020 Radon Action Month.
Because of New Hampshire’s prevalence of bedrock, we have a relatively high occurrence of the contaminant throughout the state. However, communities in the southeastern and eastern parts of the state have the highest percentage of homes with elevated levels. Rockingham, Carroll and Coos counties have several communities in which more than half of the homes tested had elevated numbers.
Testing for Radon in Your Water
The New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories in Concord performs radon in water testing. Test containers can be ordered through the Public Health Laboratories website or picked up in person in Concord and the cost of the this specific test is $20. Secondwind can do a full health issues panel for you that includes not only radon, but also arsenic, PFOAs, bacteria and more.
Treating Your Water
There are a number of treatment options available to those who wish to treat. These include a Bubble-Up System, Carbon Adsorbers, and more. You can learn more about those treatment options here.
We’re Here to Make Your Water Safe
Secondwind Water Systems is locally owned and operated, with over 9,000 residential customers throughout the state. For 30 years our Certified Water Specialist and Certified Technicians have solved some of the toughest water quality problems in New Hampshire. Contact us today so we can help you have clean, safe, great-tasting water.