Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but radon is a close second. The National Cancer Institute reports that approximately 22,000 deaths per year result from radon exposure. What many people do not realize is that radon lurks within their homes, seeping in from the soil below. Inhaling radon damages lung cells, leading to lung cancer over time. Radon screenings measure radon levels, determining whether a home is safe or in need of repair.
Identification
Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium within the earth's soil and bodies of water. Composed of single atoms, radon can easily penetrate plastic, paint, drywall, concrete, tar paper and paneling---basically any home building material. Radon isotopes vary, but according to NJ.gov, the isotope that poses the biggest safety risk to humans is radon-222.
Levels
Radon.com explains that a safe radon level is the presence of no radon at all. Nevertheless, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has deemed 4 pCi/L and lower acceptable. Picocuries per liter, or pCi/L, is the standard measurement used for radon. A curie is a unit of radioactivity. One curie represents the amount of time it takes for a single radioactive isotope to disintegrate at a rate of 37 trillion disintegrations per second. One picocurie equals 1 trillionth of 1 curie. The EPA considers radon levels of 4pCi/L and above unsafe, requiring immediate remediation to avoid an increased cancer risk. Ideally, a radon level of 2pCi/L is often the goal after remediation, but the EPA considers any level below 4pCi/L safe for habitation.
Considerations
Radon levels vary throughout the country---and even vary between neighborhoods. According to North Carolina Cooperative Extensions, testing is inexpensive, and a short-term testing kit can determine radon levels within two to seven days. Short-term screening tests, performed with charcoal canisters, measure radon levels under closed home conditions. Most homeowners can perform the screenings themselves and send the canister to a lab for results.
Solution
Lowering radon levels to meet the EPA's safety standards requires the help of an experienced contractor. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services explains that sealing cracks and crevices in the basement area of a home can reduce radon levels by as much as 50 percent. Soil depressurization, a method of removing air from beneath the basement floor and fanning it through the roof, is highly effective and can substantially improve air quality, as well as reduce radon levels.
Misconceptions
Radon is a silent killer that does not offer fair warning. Many people do not realize that they are living with radon until they become sick. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends radon screening for all homes because it is the only way to determine if radon levels are safe or acceptable within a dwelling.
