According to the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, radon is a radioactive gas released into the air as uranium breaks down in water, rock and soil. The decay products of radon are solids that can become trapped inside the earth or attach to dust and other particles in the air, which allows the wind to spread them over wide areas, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, or ATSDR, in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Geography
Radon occurs in the environment due to natural geological processes. In conjunction with the EPA, the U.S. Geological Survey, or USGS, conducted a series of assessments to determine radon levels across the U.S. The results indicated that the Northeast, Southwest and portions of the Great Plains contain geological features that have a higher potential than other regions for producing radon.
Dangers
Radon, an invisible, colorless, odorless gas, can enter any building, whether new or old, easily. The EPA warns that radon enters your home through cracks or holes in the foundation, gaps around pipes, cavities inside walls or the water supply. Breathing air containing radon might lead to lung cancer, according to the EPA. In fact, U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona issued a national health advisory on radon on January 13, 2005. This report identified indoor radon as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
Testing
The Surgeon General's health advisory also encourages homeowners to test their homes for this gas. Since radon is invisible and odorless, testing is the only way to know if your home contains the gas. You can conduct this test yourself using a radon test kit purchased from a qualified radon measurement services provider, or you can hire a qualified radon tester, according to the EPA. The EPA considers radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter, or pCi/L, or more to be dangerous.
Prevention/Solution
To reduce high levels of radon in your home, the EPA advises you to install a vent pipe system that removes radon from the soil beneath the house and fans in the roof that vent the gas outside. The EPA warns that these radon reduction systems should be installed by qualified contractors, who are trained to fix radon problems. Sealing the cracks and openings in your house's foundation increases the efficiency of these systems. Taking these steps will help prevent radon from entering your home in the future.
Considerations
If your radon test result is below 4 pCi/L, the EPA encourages you to retest at regular intervals in the future, especially if you live in an area with higher levels of radon in the environment. Radon has become an important component of real estate transactions as more buyers or renters ask about radon levels before buying or renting, according to the EPA. The EPA suggests that you have a qualified radon professional test your home prior to selling it.
References
- EPA: Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Surgeon General Releases National Health Advisory on Radon
- EPA: Radon: A Citizen's Guide to Radon
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry: Radon
- U.S. Geological Survey: Geologic Radon Potential of the United States
