Home Improvement Help and Maintenance Tips:
Radon Testing
Radon
has been around long before any of us, but the concern about
the effects on health has increased in recent years. The
appropriate test to determine if a significant level of
radon exists in your home is easy and reasonably
inexpensive. In this issue we will answer some of the most
asked questions.
What is Radon?
Radon is
an odorless and colorless gas. Radon is produced by decaying
uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater. It is found in
every state in the U.S. and all over the world. Radon levels
can change considerably from home to home in the same
neighborhood. It can also vary over time and climate
conditions.
How
does radon get into a house?
Radon
gets into the indoor air through cracks in the foundation,
cracks in basement floors and concrete slabs and openings in
floor drains and sump pumps. Radon can also contaminate well
water. When radon becomes trapped in buildings, the
concentrated levels become a health risk.
How
does radon affect me?
According
to research from major health organizations, radon causes
thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths each year.
Research also suggests that drinking well water with high
levels of radon may pose similar health risks.
How
can I tell that I have radon?
According
to the US Surgeon General and other leading health
organizations, all homes should be tested. The test consists
of placing a testing device in the home for a minimum of
forty-eight hours. Some types of devices are then sent to a
laboratory for analysis, other types of devices can be read
for immediate results. Climate conditions can vary the radon
levels.
What do the results mean?
Radon is
measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). Major
health organizations recommend taking action if the levels
in your home are four pCi/L or greater. However, no level of
radon is considered absolutely safe.
What can I do if I have radon?
If high
levels of radon are confirmed, those high levels may be
reduced with simple, inexpensive techniques, like sealing
cracks and venting.
For
more information about radon, contact:
Indoor
Air Quality 1-800-438-4318
www.iaqa.org
National radon hotline - 1-800-767-7236
American Lung Association (ALA);
www.lungusa.org
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.org |