Did you know that January is National Radon Action Month? Organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the purpose of National Radon Action Month is to increase awareness, promote testing and advance the use of new radon-resistant construction practices. It’s a useful reminder to test your home and take steps to reduce radon exposure.
Radon awareness matters throughout the year. The CDC’s radon information explains how exposure affects health and why testing your home is important.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless and tasteless gas—making it particularly difficult to discover. Radon comes from radium, a result of the breakdown of uranium in soil or rocks. Radon decay produces radioactive particles that can damage lung tissue when inhaled. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country. EPA estimates that radon causes approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.
Where Is Radon Most Commonly Found?
Homeowners in the U.S. should be particularly vigilant as approximately 1 in 15 homes has elevated radon levels. Radon levels are often highest in basements, cellars and crawl spaces, all of which are close to the ground. Radon enters the home through cracks in floors and walls or other small openings. Some building materials such as concrete and granite emit radon. Radon may also be found in a home’s water supply, but it is less likely. Elevated radon levels can occur in homes with or without basements.
How To Know if You Have Radon in Your House
The only way to figure out whether or not your home has elevated radon levels is to test for the gas. In order to test the air, purchase a DIY test kit, digital detector or hire a certified radon testing professional.
Before you begin, review the device or tester’s instructions and our guide to windows and household operation during a radon test, including what to do if a window was left open.
There are two types of DIY test kits, short-term and long-term. According to EPA guidance, short-term tests last two to 90 days, depending on the device, and long-term tests last more than 90 days. Follow your device’s instructions for the required duration. Because radon levels vary over time, a long-term test is more likely to reflect your home’s year-round average. Digital detectors provide short-term readings and help establish a long-term average. In order to hire a certified radon testing professional, contact your state radon program.
Once you receive results, you’ll probably want to know what they mean. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). If the radon level is between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommends that homeowners consider taking action. If the radon level is 4 pCi/L or more, the EPA recommends that homeowners take action. There is no known safe level of radon. If your initial short-term result is 4 pCi/L or higher, follow EPA’s guidance for a follow-up test; a result above 8 pCi/L calls for an immediate second short-term test. For reference, the average level of radon in American homes is approximately 1.3 pCi/L.
Radon as an Air Quality Concern
While radon is both an indoor and outdoor pollutant, let’s focus on indoor air quality and its effects. As aforementioned, radon levels are often higher in basements, cellars and crawl spaces as they are close to the ground. Radon entering a home can build up indoors. Exposure over time increases the risk of lung cancer.
Radon exposure has no immediate symptoms. Lung cancer can take many years to develop after exposure. Testing your home is the way to assess its radon level; symptoms cannot tell you how much radon is present. If you have concerns about your health or possible exposure, talk with a healthcare professional.
Radon Begone!
As a homeowner, it’s extremely important to be vigilant about radon. Reducing radon exposure can lower your risk of lung cancer. Use National Radon Action Month as a launching point for radon awareness in your home. Grab a test kit and follow the testing instructions. If testing indicates a radon problem, contact your state radon program for help finding a qualified radon mitigation professional. A contractor can recommend a radon-reduction system suited to your home. Test again after mitigation to confirm that radon levels have been reduced.
