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What is Radon?
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water.
The release of this radioactive gas enters the air you breathe, causing a potential
health risk to you and your family.
Radon gas can be found in just about anywhere. It can get into any type of building
-- homes, offices, and schools -- and build up to high levels.
What you should know about Radon
Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas. You cannot see radon and you cannot smell
it or taste it, but it may be a problem in your home. This is because when you breathe
air-containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the
Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
You should test for radon. Testing is the only way to find out about your home's
radon level. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing of all homes below
the third floor for radon.
You can fix a radon problem. If you find that you have high radon levels, there
are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable
levels.
If you are buying a home. EPA recommends that you obtain the radon level in the
home you are considering buying. If elevated levels are found it is recommended
that these levels be reduced. In most cases, a professional can accomplish this
at reasonable cost or homeowner installed mitigation system that adheres to the
EPA's approved methods for reduction of radon in a residential structure.
EPA also recommends that you repeat the radon test every 2 years if elevated levels
are not found.
What are the Risk Factors?
The EPA, Surgeon General and The Center for Disease Control, have all agreed that
continued exposure to Radon gas can cause lung cancer.
In fact, their position on the matter is that all homes should be tested for radon
gas exposure, and all homes testing over 4 pCi/L should be fixed.
Please note that in September 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO)
proposed a reference level of 2.7 pCi/L to minimize health hazards due to indoor radon exposure. The US EPA has not changed its action guideline of 4 pCi/L.
How Does Radon Enter the Home?
Typically the air pressure inside your home is lower than the pressure in the soil
around your home's foundation.
Due to this difference, your house acts like a vacuum, drawing radon gas in through
foundation cracks and other openings of your home.
Radon may also be present in well water and can be released into the air in your
home when water is used for showering and other household uses.
Potential Entry Points:
- Cavities inside walls
- Cracks in solid floors
- Construction joints
- Cracks in walls
- The water supply
- Gaps in suspended floors
- Gaps around service pipes
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