Radon Overview
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that is found in soils all over the United States. Although radon is invisible, odorless and without taste, it can become concentrated at dangerous levels in any building — homes, offices, and schools. The EPA has declared radon to be a Class A Carcinogen, which means that it has been shown to cause cancer in humans. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
Radon gas decays into radioactive solid particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As the particles break down further, they release small bursts of energy that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. The two most significant ways to reduce the risk of lung cancer are by stopping smoking and lowering the radon level in your home.
The major source of high levels of radon in homes is soil surrounding and under the house, particularly soil containing uranium. Radon is a soil gas that typically moves up through the ground to the air above. Air pressure inside a home is usually lower than pressure in the soil around the home's foundation. Because of the difference in pressure, a house acts like a vacuum, drawing radon in through dirt floors, hollow-block walls, cracks in the foundation floor and walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps. EPA estimates that as many as one in 15 homes have elevated annual radon levels.
Testing a home for radon is easy, and it should only take a few minutes to place a test kit. There are several kinds of low-cost "do it yourself" radon test kits available through the mail and at hardware stores and other retail outlets. The directions should be followed carefully, as the length of time the kits can remain open varies depending on the lab.
Radon is measured in picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) of air. A picoCurie is a measure of the amount of radioactivity of a particular substance. A liter is about equal to a quart. The level of radon in outdoor air is about 0.4 pCi/L. The average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L. EPA has established 4.0 pCi/L as the action level for radon in homes, schools and workplaces.
There are simple, cost effective ways to fix a radon problem. Even high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels in most cases. EPA recommends that a qualified contractor be used to mitigate homes because of the specialized technical experience required. Without proper equipment or technical knowledge, one could actually increase the radon levels or create other potential hazards. National Environmental Health Association(NEHA) certifies radon mitigators that have taken a course and passed a test based upon the material taught. Contact your state radon program office to obtain a list.
RATIONALE
The EPA estimates that radon gas contributes to 15,000 to 22,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Smokers are at an increased risk. Radon testing is inexpensive and can easily save lives.
EFFORT REQUIRED
Testing homes for radon is relatively simple and inexpensive. You can partner with your state radon program to raise public awareness about the health dangers of radon and the need for home testing. Outreach efforts that have had past success include distributing test kits and literature at community events and placing radon related public service announcements and stories in local media.
BENEFIT
- Home radon testing makes residents aware of the health dangers in their home
- If high levels are found, the situation can be easily mitigated by a certified professional removing significant risk of lung cancer from the home
RISKS
- Potential cost of testing kits and literature
ACTION AGENT(S)
- State radon program
- Local department of health
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