Radon

Even though you can't see, taste, or smell radon, it may be a problem in your home. Radon may cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air with radon in it, you can get lung cancer. The Surgeon General has even warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is even higher. There is no proof that radon is linked to asthma or that children are at any greater risk of lung cancer due to radon than adults.

Nearly one out of every 15 homes may have high radon levels. Every state has high radon levels. Uranium is the most common source of indoor radon. The soil or rock on which homes are built contains radon. As uranium naturally breaks down, it releases radon gas and gets into the air you breathe. Radon gas enters homes through dirt floors, cracks in concrete walls and floors, floor drains, and sump pumps (machines that pump water out of the basement area to prevent flooding). Exposure to radon is a concern when the levels build up indoors.

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon too. But building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

How can I tell if my home has a radon problem?

Since you can't see if your home has a radon problem, the most important thing you can do is measure your home's radon level. It's not hard to find out if you have a problem in your home. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. It's easy and should only take a little bit of your time. EPA recommends testing all homes below the third floor. There are many kinds of low-cost, do-it-yourself radon test kits you can order through the mail and buy in hardware stores. Look for test kits that are state-certified. After you complete the testing yourself, mail your testing kit back to a lab to get your results. You can also hire a trained contractor to do the testing for you. Contact your state radon office to get a list of qualified contractors in your area.

If you want to do a quick test, there are short-term kits that remain in your home from two to 90 days, depending on the device. Charcoal canisters are a common short-term kit. Because radon levels tend to vary from season to season, a short-term kit is less likely than a long-term kit to tell you your year-round average radon level. The amount of radon in the air is measured in picoCuries per liter of air or pCi/l. Sometimes test results are shown in Working Levels or WL.

Long-term tests remain in your home longer than 90 days and will give you a more accurate reading. Common long-term test kits are alpha track and electret. They are available at hardware stores. To use your test kit:

Follow the directions that come with your test kit.
If you are doing a short-term test, close your windows and outside doors. Keep them closed as much as you can during the test. If the short-term test lasts just two or three days, be sure to close your windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before starting the test. Do not use fans or other machines that bring in air from outside.
Place the test kit in the lowest lived-in level of the home. For example, the basement if it is used often. Do not place the kit in the kitchen or bathroom. Put the kit at least 20 inches above the floor in a place where it won't be disturbed. Place it away from drafts, high heat, high humidity, and outside walls. Leave the kit in place for as long as the package says.
Once the test is done, reseal the package and send it right away to the lab noted on the package for testing. You should get your tests results within a few weeks.
If your result is 4 pCi/l or higher (0.02 Working Levels or higher) after a short-term test, use a long-term test kit or a second short-term test kit or to be sure the reading is accurate.
If you followed up with a long-term test and it showed radon levels of 4pCi/L or more (0.02 WL or higher), you need to take action to reduce the radon levels in your home.
If you followed up with a second short-term test, the higher your results, the more certain you can be that you should fix your home. Consider fixing your home if the average of your first and second tests are 4 pCi/L or higher (0.02 WLor higher).
Keep in mind that radon levels below 4 pCi/L still pose some risk and that radon levels can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below in most homes.

How can I reduce radon levels in my home?

If the radon level in your home is confirmed to be 4 pCi/l or higher, it's important to reduce the level. Choose a qualified radon mitigator contractor to do so. Start by checking with your state radon office. It is wise to get more than one estimate and ask for and check references.

The average cost of reducing radon levels in your home may range from $800 to $2500. Your costs may vary depending on the size and design of your home and which radon reduction methods are needed. There are many methods that a contractor can use to lower radon levels in your home. Some prevent radon from coming inside. Others reduce radon levels after radon has entered.

If you use well water, have your water tested. Radon problems in water can be fixed. Contact your state radon office or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.