Radon Information

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas, undetectable by human senses. It forms naturally from the decay of radioactive elements, like uranium, found in soil and rock throughout the world. As a gas Radon can naturally make its way into homes and buildings through cracks, crevices and other areas which are in contact with the soil.

Radon is naturally present inside and outside, but homes and buildings can effectively trap radon and allow it to become concentrated. Once it’s inside the house, radon breaks down into solid radioactive elements called radon progeny (such as polonium-218, polonium-214, and lead-214). Radon progeny can attach to dust and other particles and can make its way into the lungs. As radon and radon progeny in the air break down, they give off radiation that can damage the DNA inside the body’s cells.

Although Radon is a gas, the concern is not acute sickness or poisoning like you would experience from say Carbon Monoxide or Chlorine gas. The danger comes from exposure to the radioactive decay of Radon, which increases your risk of developing lung cancer. 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.

Testing is easy and inexpensive. You can conduct a short-term test over a minimum 48 hour period to find an average radon level for that period. Alternatively, for a more accurate yearly average, you can conduct a long-term test for a period longer than 90 days. Either way, you’ll want a precise and reliable reading that adheres to the latest EPA and DEP radon testing standards.

Radon remediation or mitigation describes the process of developing a plan for a home or building to effectively reduce indoor airborne radon levels to below the EPA guidelines of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Most commonly this is accomplished by stopping radon gas from entering the home through any areas with soil contact, such as a basement, crawlspace, or slab-on-grade. Generally, a sub-slab-depressurization method is used to draw the radon and soil gases away from the contact area and vented to an acceptable exterior location.

It’s always a great idea to test for radon in your home if you haven’t checked recently. The EPA recommends remediating your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. However, there is no safe level of radon, and levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases, can be reduced.

Radon remediation is generally an easy and relatively inexpensive process. Every home or building will have its own unique set of challenges. Generally speaking, most homes can be completed within a half-day of work and with minimal alterations to the property.