Approximately one in every 15 homes has elevated levels of radon gas, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prolonged exposure to even low levels of radon can result in a preventable life-threatening illness. Radon gas is present in homes throughout the country, so it's important to learn how to test for and eliminate radon.
The Facts
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that is present in soil, water and rocks. When uranium breaks down, or decays, it forms radium, a solid, and radon, a gas. Radon gas is also radioactive, and is odorless and tasteless, making its presence difficult to detect.
Risk Factors
Radon from the soil seeps into your home through cracks and gaps in walls and floors and around pipes. Radon may also enter your home through the water supply. The gas then builds up inside the enclosed space, causing the amount to rise to dangerous levels.
Warning
Radon exposure is a leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, second only to smoking. Lung cancer induced by radon exposure is responsible for approximately 21,000 annual deaths, according to the EPA. Smokers who are exposed to radon are at a greater risk for developing the disease than from either factor alone.
Detection
The EPA recommends testing your home regularly for the presence of radon. Radon tests can be purchased online or at hardware stores, and can be either short term, lasting two or three days, or long term, testing the air for up to 90 days.
The air quality is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA estimates the average radon level in homes to be 1.3 pCi/L. Exposure to radon at any level can be dangerous to your health, but if the level of radon is 4 pCi/L or higher, the EPA advises you to take steps to reduce the radon in your home.
Solution
The EPA recommends hiring a qualified contractor who has experience with radon to work on your home. A soil suction radon reduction system, consisting of pipes and fans, will suction out the radon from under your home and release the gas outdoors. Sealing the gaps and cracks can help prevent radon gas from entering your home. Increasing the ventilation in your home by bringing in more outdoor air may also reduce indoor radon levels.
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