Understanding Radon

What is radon?

• Radon is a natural gas created when uranium in the earth's rock and soil decays. You cannot taste, smell or see it.

How does radon enter my home?

• Radon flows to the surface through the soil and cracks in the rock. It enters your home through gaps in the foundation, drains, sump pumps, joints and loosely fitted pipes. Natural water supplies may also carry radon into your home.

Why is radon dangerous?

• Radon is radioactive. Outdoors, there is little danger because there are very low levels of radon. But indoors, radon is trapped and becomes concentrated. Long-term exposure to radon has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

How does radon enter my lungs?

• Radon gas can be in the air you breathe. When radon gas decays, radon atoms can change to other atoms than can become embedded in your lungs. The embedded atoms decay and emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Alpha radiation can damage cells in the lungs by disrupting their DNA. This damage can be the first step that can lead to cancer.

Who said radon can lead to cancer?

• The Environmental Protection Agency has said for the last decade that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. This has been recently confirmed in 1998 by the National Academy of Science in their report Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VI. The BEIR VI report estimates that 12% of lung cancer deaths in the nation are linked to radon. This is about 15,000 to 22,000 deaths each year.

How can I tell if there is radon in my home?

• Since you cannot taste, smell or see radon gas, scientific testing is needed for detection. There are two basic ways to test for radon, short term and long term. Short-term testing takes from two to seven days. Long-term testing takes from three months to one year. You can also have your test performed by a certified professional using advanced equipment that can give your short term results in as little as two days.

What’s the difference between short-term and long-term testing?

• Radon gas levels in a home are not the same every day. Changes in the weather, how often windows and doors are opened and closed, the type of air conditioning/heating systems you use, and your family's lifestyle all contribute to the level of radon gas in your home each day. A short-term test will show you your reading only for the time ( normally 48 -72 hours) the test was done, a long-term test will average your exposure to radon levels over a period of time.

How do I test for radon long-term?

• Quality Heating can supply you with a long term charcoal test and instructions on how to use them and we will call you when it is time to send it in, or you can have one of our technicians place it, and send it in for you.

What should I do when I get my report?

• Check the average radon level. If it is above 4 pCi/l, the level is considered above the Environmental Protection Agency's action guideline level, and you should take action to lower levels.

What can I do to reduce radon gas levels in my home?

• There are several proven methods to reduce Radon in your home, but the one primarily used is a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls the Radon from beneath the house and ventilates it to the outside. It is highly recommended that the outside outlet pipe is above the roof line to properly disburse the Radon. This system, known as a soil suction Radon reduction system, which normally does not require major changes to your home. Sealing foundation cracks and other openings makes this kind of a system more effective and cost efficient. Similar systems can also be installed in houses with crawl spaces. Radon mitigation contractors can also use other methods that may also work for you. The right system depends on the design of your home and other factors.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/