Radon Testing

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·   Radon?  What is Radon Gas and how does it get into our homes?  Below are some interesting facts about Radon Gas. As recommended by the Envinronmental Protection Agency homes that the interior radon level exceeds 4.0 pCi/L radon mitigation is needed.

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.

You can't see radon. And you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home.

Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon can be found all over the U.S.

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building — homes, offices, and schools — and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.

You should test for radon.

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. EPA also recommends testing in schools.

Testing is inexpensive and easy — it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon (see How to Test Your Home).

You can fix a radon problem.

Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

New homes can be built with radon-resistant features.

Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry. When installed properly and completely, these simple and inexpensive techniques can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes. In addition, installing them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive to reduce radon levels further if these passive techniques don't reduce radon levels to below 4 pCi/L. Every new home should be tested after occupancy, even if it was built radon-resistant. If radon levels are still in excess of 4 pCi/L, the passive system should be activated by having a qualified mitigator install a vent fan. For more explanation of radon resistant construction techniques, refer to EPA publication, Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build Radon-Resistant Homes (see www.epa.gov/radon/rrnc).

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How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?

Any home may have a radon problem

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. 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.

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water (see "Radon in Water" below). In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

RADON GETS IN THROUGH: Cracks in solid floors Construction joints Cracks in walls Gaps in suspended floors Gaps around service pipes Cavities inside walls The water supply

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state. Contact your state radon office for general information about radon in your area. While radon problems may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only way to know about your home is to test.

 

Radon In Colorado: 

     The average tested radon level here is Colorado is 7.1 pCi/L.  If your radon level is below 4 pCi/L, you do not need to take action. If your radon level is 4 pCi/L or greater, the EPA recommends that the home be fixed (mitigated). You can call the Colorado EPA for Indoor air quality (or 1-800-846-3986) to obtain more information, including a list of EPA or State-approved radon contractors who can fix or develop a plan for fixing the radon problem.

Use the chart below to compare you radon test results with the EPA guideline.  The higher a home’s radon level, the greater the health risk to you and your family.

                                                ¯ AVERAGE COLORADO MEASUREMENT – 7.3 pCi/L

            0            5            10            15            20            25 or greater

                            ­ 4.0 pCi/L - EPA RECOMMENDED ACTION GUIDELINE

                  ­ 1.3 pCi/L - Average indoor radon concentration

              ­ 0.4 pCi/L - Average outdoor radon concentration

Radon in the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General Strongly recommend taking further action when the home’s radon test results are 4.0 pCi/L or greater.  The concentration of radon in the home is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L).  Radon levels less that 4.0 pCi/L still pose some risk and in many cases may be reduced.  The higher a home’s radon level, the greater the health risk to you and your family.  Smokers and former smokers are at especially high risk.  There are straightforward ways to fix a home’s radon problem that are not too costly.  Even homes with very high levels can be reduced to below 4.0 pCi/L.  EPA recommends that you use an EPA or State-approved contractor trained to fix radon problems.

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