What is Radon???
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas that can get into homes and other buildings through cracks in the slab foundation, the concrete basement floor, or the sub-floor of homes with crawlspaces.
Radon Health Concerns
Radon causes lung cancer. The EPA estimates that 21,000 Americans die each year from radon-induced lung cancer. This makes it the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer following smoking. As radon decays, it creates four new elements - collectively known as Radon Decays Products (RDPs) - two of which emit alpha radiation. As these RDPs float around in the air they attach themselves to dust, smoke or other particles which we then breath in. These particles attach themselves to our sensitive lung tissue and the alpha radiation from the RDPs damages the tissue.
Get Your Home Tested
The US EPA, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, and National Safety Council recommend testing your home for radon because testing is the only way to know your home's radon levels. Radon levels vary from state to state, county to county, home to home. There are no immediate symptoms that will alert you to the presence of radon. It is important to follow the EPA guidelines pertaining to the recommendation of testing at least every 2 years and whenever significant changes to the home structure or mechanical systems occur.
How Does Radon Enter the House?
Throught what is called the "Stack Effect". Radon moves up through the ground to the air above. It then travels into your home through tiny cracks and crevices in the foundation, walls, joints, and other building materials that make up your home. Your home traps the radon inside, where it can build up. Any home can have radon. That means new and old homes, well-sealed or drafty homes, those with or without basements, and even those that have no direct contact with the ground soil. Condos and townhomes can also have radon, even on the upper level floors due to building materials.
Frequent Radon Questions
Where does radon come from?
Radon comes from the natural breakdown on the element uranium that exists in soil, rock, and water.
How to know if your home has high levels of radon?
Testing is the only way to know if you have high radon levels in your home.
Should I have my home tested for radon?
The EPA and U.S. Surgeon General strongly suggest testing all homes for radon. Data gathered by the EPA national radon survey indicate that high radon levels are present in about six million homes throughout the United States. Because radon concentration inside a home is affected by structural factors as well as geographical factors, each individual home must be tested to determine its radon levels. And NO,you cannot count on your results being the same as your neighbors!
Why Do My Radon Levels Matter?
The presence of high radon levels in your home negatively affects your health and that of your family and friends."Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. On January 13, 2005, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, the U.S. Surgeon General, issued a national health advisory on radon." - EPA
How to Reduce My Radon Levels
Fixing a home with a radon problem is NOT a complicated procedure. Typically it is one day of work. A radon mitigation system is considered a home improvement. It not only lowers radon levels but also other soil gases such as Methane, pesticides, moisture, odors and mold. A mitigation system improves the overall air quality of the home.