Radon is a gas that can build up in homes and damage the health of their occupants. It originates from the breakdown of natural uranium in soil and rock beneath the earth's surface. The problem can affect all types of homes, new and old. It enters through openings such as floor cracks and construction joints. Fortunately, a qualified expert can help you solve nearly any radon issue.
Risks
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to the U.S. Surgeon General's Office. Between 15,000 and 22,000 deaths a year may result from inhalation of radon, according to the National Cancer Institute. Lung cancer is the only malignancy that scientists have linked with radon. The cancer follows damage cell damage created by radioactive particles emitted when radon decays.
Levels
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, recommends that you fix your home if its radon level registers 4 picocuries per liter of air, which is pCi/L, or higher. Approximately one in 15 U.S. homes exceeds this amount. No level of the gas is safe, according to the EPA, and getting your radon levels even lower that 4 pCi/L further decreases your risk. The majority of homes can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or lower. Indoor radon levels average approximately 1.3 pCi/L.
Warning
Radon exposure is especially dangerous for smokers. The two factors act in concert to boost risk beyond what would be expected in a "sum of the parts" equation. If 1,000 people who had never smoked spent their lives exposed to 8 pCi/L of radon, about 15 of them would get lung cancer, according to the EPA. If, on the other hand, 1,000 smokers were exposed to the same amount of radon, 120 of them would contract the disease.
Testing
Short-term tests take between two and 90 days, depending on the product. Sometimes, such as when a real estate transaction is at hand, they are the only realistic option. For the most trustworthy results, do the test twice in succession. For a fuller picture of your home's year-round radon average, a long-term detector is better, according to the EPA. These products stay in place longer than 90 days. A long-term test is good as follow-up for a short-term test that suggested high radon levels, according to the EPA. You can buy radon detection kits at hardware stores and other retail outlets or you can hire a professional to do the test.
Solution
A common fix for homes with high radon levels is called a "soil suction radon reduction system." It involves installing a fan and vent-pipe setup to take the radon from beneath your house and direct it outside. It does not require any major renovations to your home. As of 2010, radon reduction tends to cost from $800 to $2,500, according to the National Cancer Institute. Certain contractors specialize in radon mitigation.
