Radon, what is it?

Radon is a radioactive gas that is released when uranium—a natural element normally found in rock and soil—breaks down and undergoes radioactive decay. Uranium is normally present in rock and soil, so radon gas is naturally present in the environment. However, radon can become highly concentrated in closed or poorly ventilated spaces such as caves, mines, and some homes. Long-term exposure to radon has been linked to the development of serious health problems, such as lung cancer, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic interstitial pneumonia. Radon cannot be detected by human senses because it is odorless, tasteless, and invisible. However, levels can be measured in enclosed spaces with radon monitoring devices. Radon levels in buildings can be reduced by using simple ventilation methods such as opening windows, installing vents in basements or crawl spaces, and increasing air movement with ceiling fans.

    How does radon get into the house?

Houses act like large chimneys. As the air in the house warms, it rises to leak out the attic openings and around the upper floor windows. This creates a small suction at the lowest level of the house, pulling the radon out of the soil and into the house.

           What are the Health Effects From Exposure to Radon?

When radon starts to decay, very tiny radioactive particles are released. If you inhale these particles, they enter the lungs and may cause cancerous changes in nearby cells. If you breathe in high levels of radon, you have a greater chance of getting lung cancer and other respiratory health problems. Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer, second only to tobacco smoke. It is responsible for about 21,000 deaths from lung cancer per year in the United States. The U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend that all homes be tested for radon levels. The combination of smoking and radon exposure can greatly increase your risk of developing lung cancer. If you smoke or live with someone who smokes and you live or work in a place with dangerous radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is significantly higher than for someone who has never smoked but lives or works in places with high radon levels. Radon exposure does not produce immediate symptoms. You may not realize that you are being exposed to dangerous levels of radon until a serious condition such as lung cancer develops. There is some evidence that continuous radon exposure in children can increase the risk of developing certain cancers into adulthood, although research is ongoing to evaluate this theory.

                           What can you do about radon?  

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. While radon problems may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only way to know about your home is to have your home tested. Having your home tested is inexpensive and easy. A radon monitoring device remains in your home for two days (48 hours) and measures the amount of radon in the air. The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picoCuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L.". The EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home's indoor radon levels if your radon test result is 4 pCi/L or higher. A variety of methods can be used to reduce radon in homes. Techniques for reducing radon are discussed in the EPA's "Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction." As with any other household appliance, there are costs associated with the operation of the radon-reduction system.

(RED) Zone 1 Highest Potential (greater than 4 pCi/L) 

(ORANGE) Zone 2 Moderate Potential (from 2 to 4 pCi/L)

(YELLOW) Zone 3 Low Potential (less than 2 pCi/L)

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