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What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste. It is a naturally occurring gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.
How does Radon enter my home?
Radon is a radioactive gas produced from the natural decay of uranium, which is found in nearly all rocks and soils. This gas moves through the ground and enters your home through:
- Cracks in the basement floor
- Slab joints
- Floor drains
- Cracks and cavities in the walls
- Sump pumps
- Loose fitting pipes
The major cause of Radon getting in your home is the difference between the inside and outside air pressure. Air pressure inside your home is usually lower than pressure in the soil around your homes foundation. Because of this difference in pressure, your home acts like a vacuum, drawing Radon in through cracks in the foundation and other openings.
The amount of Radon that accumulates depends on the amount of Radon being released by materials below the building, the kind of construction materials and ventilation systems used in the building, as well as the temperature. For example, a heated building in a cold climate may draw in more Radon than a building in a warm climate. Since most Radon enters the air from soil or rock, the lower rooms in a building are usually more at risk than the rooms higher up. It is also possible for one home to be exposed to high levels of Radon while the home directly next door is not.
Who should get tested for Radon?
ANY home can have a Radon problem. This means new or old homes, well-sealed or drafty homes with or without basements. Nearly 1 out of 15 homes in the United States has an elevated Radon level (4pCi/L) or more which is the equivalent of 200 chest x-rays per year. The EPA recommends that every home should be tested.
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