Where is Radon Found?

Significance

• According to the United States Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Only smoking causes more lung cancer cases. While radon can be a problem in any enclosed space, people usually receive the most exposure in their homes, particularly in basements.

Function

• Radon forms from the natural, radioactive breakdown of uranium in rock, soil and water. Because rock is needed for radon to form, it is less likely to be found in areas of the world with sandy soil.
  When the uranium breaks down, radon gas is released into the air. Although you may breathe this gas outdoors, it is usually not concentrated enough to be harmful. It is only when the gas is confined that it reaches dangerous levels. Radon can enter a house through cracks in concrete floors and walls. Occasionally it enters through the water supply.

Identification

• Radon can't be seen, smelled or tasted. Special testing is needed to determine if a building has dangerous levels of radon. Home tests are available at hardware and home improvement stores and are placed in your basement or the lowest level of your home. These tests work by measuring radon levels in your home from periods ranging from a few days to a few months, depending on the test.

  Radon is measures in picoCuries per liter of air, which is written as "pCi/L." The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends treating buildings that have a level of 4 pCi/L or higher.

Considerations

• A radon test is often required as a condition of sale when a home is being sold. If you plan on selling your home in the future, you may want to consider testing your home and taking appropriate measures as necessary to prevent a delay in sale. Although most new homes are built to be radon-resistant, it is still a good idea to ask for a radon test before buying.
  Well water systems are more likely to contain radon than municipal water systems. Radon ingested by drinking contaminated water is more likely to result in stomach cancer than lung cancer.

Prevention/Solution

• Radon is reduced in your home by installing a fan and vent pipe system. This system, known as the soil suction radon reduction system, pulls radon from under your house and vents it outside. Foundation cracks and other openings are usually sealed at the same time that the system is installed. Radon in water is treated either at the point that water enters your home or at the faucet. The point-of-entry system is considered to be better at removing radon from the water than the faucet system. Your state's Radon Office can provide you with a listing of state certified radon contractors in your area.