Radon is naturally occurring, odorless, and colorless gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Because radon is a gas, it can enter buildings through openings or cracks in the foundation. The radon gas itself decays into radioactive solids, called radon daughters. The radon daughters attach to dust particles in the air, and can be inhaled. The inhalation of radon daughters has been linked to lung cancer. According to the EPA, Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer (behind smoking) attributing to 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year.
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FOR THE HOMEOWNER:
How can I tell if I have radon in my house?
Test it. Testing is the ONLY way you can be sure of the radon levels in your home. You can buy simple Radon testing Kits from your local home improvement store. There are also professional Radon Services available.
What can I do if I have elevated levels?
Fix your home if your radon level is 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced. Here are some things you can do:
Seal: Caulk and seal your cracks and spaces leading from your basement or foundation. This will make it harder for Radon to move into your living area. Also, lay a 6m vapor barrior over the dirt in your crawl space.
Ventilate: If you have a crawl space under your house, make sure the vent covers are clear. This will promote the flow of fresh air in and out of your crawl space clearing out any potential gasses.
THE GOOD NEWS!
Radon is a naturally occuring hazard that is easily dealt with as long as you know you have a problem! Also, according to the EPA Radon Heat map... the eastside has a low predicted average screening level of Radon:
Legend: Zone one Bad, Zone Three good
(Map is NOT to be used in lieu of testing or for real estate purposes)
For more information visit the Environmental Protection Agency website about Radon.
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