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Radon is something you cannot see, smell or taste, but it may be a health hazard in your home. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water.
High levels of radon have been found in all 50 states. Nearly one in 15 homes in the United States has elevated radon levels. Radon problems may be more common in some areas, but any home may have a problem. Also, the level of radon in a nearby home or building cannot be used to predict the level of radon in your home.
Radon can enter homes through cracks in foundations, openings around sump pumps and drains, construction joints, and cracks in walls. Radon may also be in well water and can be released into the air in your home when water is used. The risk of radon entering homes through water is small compared with radon entering through soil.
What are the health risks?
Indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes about 15,000 lung cancer deaths a year.
Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As the particles break down, they can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. However, not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon develops lung cancer.
The chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend on several factors:
- How much radon is in your home
- The amount of time you spend in your home
- Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked
How can I tell if I have a radon problem?
Testing is the only way to discover whether radon is present in your home. No immediate symptoms alert you to the presence of radon. And it usually takes years before any problems surface.
The EPA and state agencies identified areas with greater potential for elevated radon levels. To learn if you live in an area with elevated levels, contact your state radon office.
The EPA, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American Medical Association and National Safety Council also recommend testing your home for radon.
How do I test my house?
Testing for radon is simple and inexpensive. Do-it-yourself kits are available at retail outlets and cost between $10 and $45. You should only purchase EPA-certified radon test kits. These kits meet EPA's qualifications for radon measurement.
During the test and for 12 hours prior to taking the test, keep all doors and windows closed. You do not have to leave your home while testing. EPA recommends placing the radon kit in the lowest lived-in level of the home, such as the basement, if it is frequently used, or the first floor. You should test a room that is used regularly but not the kitchen or bathroom. Instructions on placement come with the test kit.
Short-term tests are the quickest way to gauge radon levels. These devices remain in the home for two to 90 days. To make sure of the reading, you can follow up with another short-term kit and average the two readings.
A long-term device, which stays in the home for 90 days to one year, will give you a reading that is more likely to tell you the home's year-round average radon level.
You may also choose to hire a company to test your home for you. Make sure the company is listed in EPA's Radon Measurement Proficiency Program or certified by your state. Your state radon office and the Radon Helpline can provide a list.
Can a radon problem be fixed?
Radon problems are fixable - even if your home is found to have high radon levels - and usually cost between $500 and $2,500.
If a high level is confirmed, you should hire an EPA-certified mitigator to reduce the radon level in your home. Contact your state radon office or the help line for a list of contractors certified in your state. The most common method of reducing radon is to seal cracks and openings, which prevents the radon from getting into the home, and reversing the flow of radon entry by pressurizing the home (called subslab depressurization).
For more information and a free copy of EPA's Consumer Guide to Radon Reduction, contact your state radon office, the Radon Fix-It Hotline at 1-800-644-6999 or the Radon Helpline at 1-800-557-2366.
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External Source
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The Environmental Protection Agency
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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