Radon Testing
Radon Q and A.
By Tom Phillips, T & D Inspection Service All facts are from the EPA.
Here are some common questions and answers about radon.
What is it?
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can collect in your home and endanger you and your family. Radon is a known carcinogen, and there is no safe level of radon.
Where does it come from?
Radon is a naturally occurring substance. It comes from a by-product of uranium called radium. Uranium is in our soil, and when it breaks down, or decays, it releases radium. The radium breaks down further and forms radon gas. Radon can seep into our homes and build up in lower levels of the home. When radon seeps into the atmosphere, it is not a danger to us. Only when it gets trapped in our homes does it become a concern.
What are the dangers?
Radon is a known carcinogen. It can cause lung cancer in humans. In fact, it is the second largest cause of lung cancer, topped only by smoking.
How do I know if I have radon?
There are four main factors that determine if radon could be present in your home.
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Uranium must be present in your soil. It is a fact that uranium is present in almost all soils.
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The soil must be permeable enough to allow radon gas to seep into your home.
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There must be pathways for the radon to seep into your basement, crawlspace or through your floor slab. Any small hole or crack is enough to allow this seepage. Virtually all homes have radon entry pathways.
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An air pressure difference must exist between your basement or crawlspace and the soil surrounding it. Radon is drawn into homes when the surrounding soil has a higher air pressure. This is often the case in winter more that any other time of year. (That makes winter a good time to test)
The bottom line is, any type of home with any kind of foundation can have a radon problem. There are tests that can determine if the level of radon in your home is dangerous enough to warrant some action. Testing can be done by the homeowner, or by a licensed, certified Home Inspector, like me!
What do the numbers mean?
Radon measurement can be expressed in a couple of different ways. One is by pico Curies (pCi/L) and the other is a measurement of radon's decay products expressed in working levels (WL). Both are a means of letting consumers know if the radon level in their home is posing a risk to its occupants. It is important to realize that radon levels do not remain the same throughout the year. They can be affected by many things, including opening windows, running fans, heaters, air conditioners, and even the weather and wind. Normally, winter will show the highest radon levels, as windows are closed, and indoor air pressure is much lower than that of the soil under and around the home. This pressure difference causes radon to literally be sucked into the home through crack and holes in foundations and slabs.
The EPA has set the “action level” of radon at 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per liter of air) or .02 WL. This means that the EPA recommends fixing your home if your radon levels are at or above these numbers.
How do I fix it?
No need to move out! If your home has high radon levels, it can be fixed. Contact your local building contractor or radon mitigation firm for help. Vents and fans can be installed that suck the radon from under your home and vent it to the outside. Costs vary depending on your home's construction.
More information please?
It is also important to remember that there is no safe radon levels. The EPA says you should consider fixing your home if levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L, even though the action level is set at 4pCi/L.
More information can be found at the EPA's website (http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html) or by writing or calling them and asking for A Citizens Guide to Radon. Here's the address and phone number.
U.S. EPA/Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
Indoor Environments Division
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code 6609J
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 343-937 0
As always, I stand ready to assist you in any way I can.
Tom Phillips
T & D Inspection Service
Inspections with Honesty and Integrity
715-829-6748