What is Radon? Everything you need to know.
Radon, a natural radioactive gas, that cannot be seen or smelled, but it could be impacting your health right now. Known as the #1 cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers, understanding Radon is crucial for your well-being.
So if you’ve ever wondered what is Radon, in this guide, you'll discover everything about it – from what it is to how it can affect your indoor air quality.
Let’s get into it.
What is Radon gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas you can't see, smell, or taste. It forms from the natural breakdown of uranium in soils and rocks. Being a gas, it moves through the soil, which is how it eventually finds its way to the surface and potentially into your home or office building.
Radon’s global presence and variability
Radon's concentration varies significantly from one location to another, influenced by several geological and environmental factors, which include:
Uranium Level in Soil: Higher uranium levels in the soil lead to more radon production. Regions with granite bedrock, such as parts of the Rocky Mountains, typically have higher uranium content.
Soil Permeability: More porous soils mean more Radon's movement through it upwards in homes and buildings.
Building Design and Construction: Basements or structures in direct contact with the ground are more susceptible to it.
Seasonal Changes: In colder months, sealed homes can have higher radon levels, while in warmer months, increased ventilation can lower these levels.
Major health risks associated with Radon
Exposure to Radon, especially over prolonged periods, can lead to serious health issues. This includes:
Lung Cancer: The most significant risk from radon exposure is lung cancer. Studies, including a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have shown that Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
Respiratory Issues: Prolonged exposure to Radon might contribute to respiratory problems and could exacerbate conditions like asthma.
Children’s Health Risks: Children developing lungs and higher respiration rates make them more susceptible to the harmful effects of Radon. Research suggests that long-term exposure to Radon can be more harmful to children than adults, emphasizing the importance of ensuring low radon levels in homes with children.
Diagnosing Radon exposure - major symptoms
Diagnosing Radon exposure is challenging because it is symptomless in its early stages. That makes it hard to detect without specific tests. When symptoms do appear, they often resemble those of lung cancer or respiratory illnesses, which can include:
Chest pain, often a sign of advanced lung issues.
Persistent cough, which might be mistaken for a cold or other respiratory condition.
Difficulty breathing, a common symptom in many lung diseases.
Hoarse or sore throat, which can be easily attributed to less serious conditions.
Trouble swallowing, a less common symptom that can indicate more severe health issues.
These symptoms often appear only after significant exposure, typically when serious health issues, such as lung cancer, have developed. Due to these challenges, regular radon testing is crucial for early detection and prevention of potential health issues.
How does radon enter homes and commercial buildings?
Radon can infiltrate indoor spaces in several ways. For example, through:
Soil: Radon gas typically moves up from the soil into buildings. It finds its way through cracks in foundations, gaps in basement floors, or any openings in the building's lower structure.
Building materials: Building materials, such as certain stones or concrete, can emit Radon. Moreover, some construction materials used in a home might contain trace amounts of uranium that can decay into radon gas.
Water supply: Radon can also dissolve into water from underground sources. If your home or building uses well water, this can be a pathway for Radon to enter.
Gaps in construction: Radon can find numerous entry points in the typical building. Openings around pipes, wires, and construction joints, even if they seem minor, can allow radon gas to seep in. Regular maintenance and sealing of these gaps can help reduce radon entry.
Natural air pressure differences: The difference in air pressure inside your building and the soil outside can draw Radon indoors. This effect is often more present during colder months when buildings are sealed tightly, creating a vacuum that pulls Radon in from the ground.
How and when to test for Radon?
Radon testing is a method used to detect and measure the presence of radon gas in indoor environments, which is essential for assessing potential health risks associated with radon exposure.
It's generally recommended to test your home every two years.
But you need to test more frequently if you:
Have carried out renovations that might change the airflow in your home,
Have moved to a new house
Live in an area with known high radon levels.
There are several methods available, each suited to different needs and situations, including:
1. Home Radon testing kits
Home radon testing kits are a convenient way for you to check radon levels. These kits are available at hardware stores or online and come with instructions for use. You can also consider using the plug-in, Long-term Indoor Air Quality, and Radon Monitors.
Typically, you'll place the detector in the lowest living space of your home for a set period, ranging from a few days to a few months. It will detect, analyze, and tell you when the levels are rising. Continous Radon home monitors, such as SunRADON's luft monitor, allows you to monitor radon levels uninterrupted all year round. This allows for much more reliable determination if the air you breath in your home is healthy!
2. Professional Radon assessment
For a more comprehensive assessment, consider hiring a professional radon testing service. This is especially important if you're buying or selling a property or have recently made significant renovations.
In most cases, it’s mandatory to test your property before listing on the market. Professionals use advanced equipment to provide accurate readings of radon levels over a shorter period, typically 48 hours, to predict possible long-term exposure.
3. Continuous Radon monitors
Continuous radon monitors are electronic devices that constantly measure and record the levels of Radon in a building, offering real-time data and detailed analysis.
These are often used by professionals but can also be installed in homes for ongoing monitoring, especially in areas known for high radon levels.
Understanding Radon test results
Firstly, it's crucial to note that no level of radon exposure is entirely safe.
According to the EPA, levels below 4 pCi/L are considered acceptable, posing minimal health risk. The EPA suggests that the average concentration of indoor Radon is about 1.3 pCi/L, whereas it is 0.4 pCi/L in outdoor air.
If your test results indicate levels at or above this threshold, it's important to take steps to reduce radon levels in your home. However, interpreting these results requires subtle consideration.
For instance, a short-term test (7 days) may show a temporarily high level due to weather conditions or other factors, which may not represent your typical radon exposure. So, consider installing a long-term Radon monitor or consult a professional radon tester to determin your risk levels and necessary actions to mitigate your risk if needed.
Recommendations for Radon’s mitigation and prevention
We suggest being proactive about Radon's presence to ensure the safety of your living or working space. Here are practical steps you can take:
Regular Radon Testing: Test your home for Radon contineously or at least every two years or after significant changes like renovations to keep track of radon levels and take action if necessary.
Set Up Radon Reduction Systems: If high radon levels are detected, consider installing a radon reduction or mitigation system with vent pipes and fans, available as DIY kits or through professional services.
Choose the Right Mitigation Technique: Simple steps like sealing cracks in your home's foundation and improving ventilation can help reduce radon entry.
Build Radon-Resistant Homes: When building a new home, incorporate radon-resistant features such as gas-permeable layers and vent pipes for added safety.
Implement Mitigation Measures: For homes with elevated radon levels, soil suction methods can effectively draw Radon from beneath the house and vent it outside.
Hire Professional Radon Services: For accurate assessment and tailored mitigation solutions, especially in homes with high radon levels, consider hiring professional radon services.
Maintain Radon Mitigation Systems: Ensure the effectiveness of your radon mitigation system by regularly checking its components like fans and vent pipes.
Ensure a Radon-free home with SunRADON's professional radon detectors
High radon levels can pose a hidden risk of lung cancer, which is why it's crucial to address this invisible threat.
Our advanced testing equipment, either operated by skilled professionals or used by homeowners themselves, ensures accurate results, allowing you to make well-informed decisions regarding your mitigation approach. Reach out to SunRADON today for a safer home tomorrow.
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