Radon gas is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that is produced due to a natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Radon is not readily detectable because it is odorless, colorless and tasteless.

Radon gas emitted from soil is the main cause of accumulation in homes and other buildings. Usually, radon gas moves from the ground and into a building through small cracks in the foundation. The building then traps the gas which is then breathed in by the occupants causing possible health issues such as lung cancer. Lung cancer caused by radon gas kills the most people in the United States second only to smoking.

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). One curie (named for Marie Curie who discovered the metallic form of radon) is the amount of radiation emitted by one gram of radium.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that radon levels of 4 pCI/L or more be removed from structures which will be occupied by people. You can view more information by the EPA here (http://www.epa.gov/radon/) It is important to note that radon levels are unpredictable and vary between neighborhood, building and even areas within a building.

Testing buildings for the occurrence of radon gas is inexpensive and simple. Some of the types of short-term (less than 90 days) radon gas tests are charcoal canisters, alpha track, electret ion chamber, continuous monitors and charcoal liquid scintillation detectors. Because radon levels can vary from season to season, long-term testing can better determine average exposure to radon. Longer term tests are usually performed by alpha track and electret detectors.

Radon elimination or mitigation can be achieved by sealing cracks or holes in the foundation. Most of the time, systems that include a vent pipe and fan are used to reduce radon levels. Note that proper testing and mitigation should only be done by qualified mitigation contractors.

Filed under: Health & Safety