Understanding Radon: Radon Levels And Their Effects By Insoo Park, Founder & CEO — Ecosense
Radon is a radioactive gas without color, smell, or flavor. However, just because something is difficult to detect does not make it any less dangerous. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) attributes at least 21,000 US fatalities annually to this gas. In fact, just behind smoking, radon exposure is the second leading cause of death from lung cancer.
How do you fight a silent killer that sneaks into homes across the United States and takes up residence for years before claiming victims? A battle like this is only won with awareness and constant vigilance.
Understanding what radon is and where it comes from
When uranium in the ground decays, it releases a radioactive gas called radon. Since it is a gas, it is buoyed upward through the soil and into the atmosphere.
While the number of homes with high radon levels varies by state, this dangerous gas has been found in every US region. To learn more about the prevalence of radon in your particular area, you can check out the AARST State Radon Report Cards.
Long-term radon exposure and its health consequences
Radon poisoning is a chronic condition that develops over time. However, it usually takes ten years or more for lung cancer to emerge. The Mayo Clinic identifies chronic coughing, unexplained weight loss, wheezing, and coughing up blood as indicators of radon poisoning.
Do not ignore these symptoms. The signs of radon contamination can take years to become obvious. When they appear, radon poisoning is typically well-advanced.
Why radon exposure happens indoors
Uranium-rich granite formations underground emit radon gas into the atmosphere. Outside, the gas disperses harmlessly. However, on its way to the atmosphere, some radon gas detours into our homes, offices, and schools.
The warmer, lower-pressure air within buildings attracts the toxic gas. Radon seeps into your home through crevices in your basement walls, cracks in your foundation, minute gaps in the seals around your drains, and holes made for your home’s plumbing. Radon’s level rises when it enters a home and cannot find ready paths back to the atmosphere.
Any building — regardless of its age or construction — can harbor dangerously high radon levels. The good news is that you can take simple steps to detect, monitor, and mitigate this silent killer.
The importance of tracking radon levels in your home
We track radon concentration with a measurement known as picocuries per liter (pCi/L). While a radon detector reading of 0 pCi/L would be ideal, it is impossible to achieve even with optimal ventilation. Radon levels outside tend to be between 0.135 and 0.405 pCi/L. The levels inside your home will be higher.
According to estimates from the EPA, at least 15% of American homes have radon concentrations at or above the “action level” of 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA also estimates that the mortality rate from radon poisoning could effectively be cut in half if everyone took simple measures to keep radon levels below that recommended threshold.
Advances in radon detection and mitigation technology
Not long ago, only certified inspectors could tell you how much radon gas was in your house. Large labs with slow turnover times analyzed findings and delivered results.
Today, modern detection equipment can provide you with extremely reliable results in minutes as opposed to weeks. Radon detectors have come a long way, and the latest versions are easy to use and highly affordable.
When you and your family close windows and doors more often during the fall and winter months, you may find higher radon levels. Since radon levels in your home can fluctuate by the season and even the day, the best monitoring strategy is continuous and ongoing.
You can take today’s portable radon detectors with you from room to room as needed. Furthermore, they offer the peace of mind that comes with constant monitoring.
If the radon level in your home is concerning, you can take immediate steps to lower it. Opening windows and doors reduces radon levels in minutes. More permanent solutions — such as working with an NRPP-accredited or state-licensed radon mitigator to better ventilate your home — can also prove highly effective.
Educating yourself and your family about the dangers of radon gas is an excellent first step, but don’t stop there. Take action to safeguard the loved ones under your roof with constant and accurate monitoring.
— Insoo Park’s goal is to empower consumers to lead a safe and healthy lifestyle free from the life-threatening dangers posed by Radon gas by delivering detection results accurately and quickly. He has authored an article for Lake Oconee Health, Facilities Management Advisor. Ecosense, his company, has been featured in Yahoo, Benzinga, The Digital Journal, TechBullion, NYWeekly, and San Francisco Post, among others, and appeared on KVNF Radio in Colorado.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
