HealthGoods

Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes.This is more than for other causes of death such as drunk driving, falls in homes, drownings and home fires. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.

Radon can not be seen, smelled or tasted. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure.

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picoCuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L." The action level recommended by the U,S. EPA for radon mitigation is 4pCi/L.

Radon in Air

Radon is a radioactive gas.It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation or floor slab. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. Radon can be found all over the U.S. and nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels.

Radon in Water

Radon gas can enter the home through well water. It can be released into the air you breathe when water is used for showering, washing dishes and other household uses. Research suggests that swallowing water with high radon levels may pose risks, although risks from swallowing water containing radon are believed to be much lower than those from breathing air containing radon.

Not all drinking water contains radon. If your drinking water comes from a surface water source, such as a river, lake, or reservoir, most radon that might be in the water will be released into the air before reaching your water supplier or home. Radon is primarily a concern if your drinking water comes from underground sources, such as a well that pumps water from an aquifer.

There is currently no federally-enforced drinking water standard for radon. EPA is proposing to require community water suppliers to provide water with radon levels no higher than 4,000 pCi/L. According to the EPA, each 1,000 pCi/L of radon in water contributes about 0.1 pCi/L of radon to the air in your home.

Radon in Soil

Test kits are available for testing the soil for radon. These kits use a hooded enclosure above the soil to trap escaping radon gas from the soil and expose the gas to the test kit. These soil test kits are poor predictors of radon levels that would be present if a home was built at the site where the test occurred. Comparisons done on testing radon in soil and then retesting radon in the home built at the same location, show a low correlation between the two radon levels. This is primarily due to the fact there are so many variables that effect radon levels in a home such as construction details, home design and building materials. Because radon soil testing is such a poor predictor of future indoor radon levels, Healthgoods does not sell these test kits.

Continuous Radon Gas Monitoring

EPA Radon Testing Checklist

For reliable test results, follow this Radon Testing Checklist carefully. Testing for radon is not complicated. Improper testing may yield inaccurate results and require another test. Disturbing or interfering with the test device, or with closed-house conditions, may invalidate the test results and is illegal in some states. If the seller or qualified tester cannot confirm that all items have been completed, take another test.

Before Conducting a Radon Test:

• Notify the occupants of the importance of proper testing conditions. Give the occupants written instructions or a copy of this Guide and explain the directions carefully.
• Conduct the radon test for a minimum of 48 hours; some test devices have a minimum exposure time greater than 48 hours.
• When doing a short-term test ranging from 2-4 days, it is important to maintain closed-house conditions for at least 12 hours before the beginning of the test and during the entire test period.
• When doing a short-term test ranging from 4-7 days, EPA recommends that closed-house conditions be maintained.
• If you conduct the test yourself, use a qualified radon measurement device and follow the laboratory's instructions. Your state may be able to provide you with a list of do-it-yourself test devices available from qualified laboratories.
• If you hire someone to do the test, hire only a qualified individual. Some states issue photo identification (ID) cards; ask to see it. The tester's ID number, if available, should be included or noted in the test report.
• The test should include method(s) to prevent or detect interference with testing conditions or with the testing device itself.
• If the house has an active radon-reduction system, make sure the vent fan is operating properly. If the fan is not operating properly, have it (or ask to have it) repaired and then test.

Note: Closed-house conditions means keeping all windows closed, keeping doors closed except for normal entry and exit, and not operating fans or other machines which bring in air from outside. Fans that are part of a radon-reduction system or small exhaust fans operating for only short periods of time may run during the test.

During a Radon Test:

• Maintain closed-house conditions during he entire time of a short term test, especially for tests shorter than one week in length.
• Operate the home's heating and cooling systems normally during the test. For tests lasting less than one week, operate only air-conditioning units which re-circulate interior air.
• Do not disturb the test device at any time during the test.
• If a radon-reduction system is in place, make sure the system is working properly and will be in operation during the entire radon test.

After a Radon Test:

• If you conduct the test yourself, be sure to promptly return the test device to the laboratory. Be sure to complete the required information, including start and stop times, test location, etc.
• If an elevated level is found, fix the home. Contact a qualified radon-reduction contractor about lowering the radon level. EPA recommends that you fix the home when the radon level is 4 pCi/L or more.
• Be sure that you or the radon tester can demonstrate or provide information to ensure that the testing conditions were not violated during the testing period.