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Radon Air Testing, Radon in the water testing
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How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?
Any home may have a radon problem
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.
Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water (see "Radon in Water" below). In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.
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RADON GETS IN THROUGH:
- Cracks in solid floors
- Construction joints
- Cracks in walls
- Gaps in suspended floors
- Gaps around service pipes
- Cavities inside walls
- The water supply
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Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state. Contact your state radon office for general information about radon in your area. While radon problems may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only way to know about your home is to test.
The Risk of Living With Radon
Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer. And the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years.
Like other environmental pollutants, there is some uncertainty about the magnitude of radon health risks. However, we know more about radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances. This is because estimates of radon risks are based on studies of cancer in humans (underground miners).
Smoking combined with radon is an especially serious health risk. Stop smoking and lower your radon level to reduce your lung cancer risk.
Scientists are more certain about radon risks than from most other cancer-causing substances.
Children have been reported to have greater risk than adults of certain types of cancer from radiation, but there are currently no conclusive data on whether children are at greater risk than adults from radon.
Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:
- How much radon is in your home
- The amount of time you spend in your home
- Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked
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Radon Risk If You Smoke
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Radon Level
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If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*...
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The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**...
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WHAT TO DO:
Stop smoking and...
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20 pCi/L
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About 260 people could get lung cancer
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250 times the risk of drowning
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Fix your home
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10 pCi/L
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About 150 people could get lung cancer
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200 times the risk of dying in a home fire
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Fix your home
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8 pCi/L
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About 120 people could get lung cancer
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30 times the risk of dying in a fall
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Fix your home
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4 pCi/L
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About 62 people could get lung cancer
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5 times the risk of dying in a car crash
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Fix your home
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2 pCi/L
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About 32 people could get lung cancer
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6 times the risk of dying from poison
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Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
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1.3 pCi/L
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About 20 people could get lung cancer
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(Average indoor radon level)
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(Reducing radon
levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
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0.4 pCi/L
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About 3 people could get lung cancer
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(Average outdoor radon level)
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Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.
Radon Risk If You've Never Smoked
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Radon Level
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If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*...
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The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**...
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WHAT TO DO:
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20 pCi/L
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About 36 people could get lung cancer
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35 times the risk of drowning
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Fix your home
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10 pCi/L
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About 18 people could get lung cancer
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20 times the risk of dying in a home fire
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Fix your home
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8 pCi/L
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About 15 people could get lung cancer
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4 times the risk of dying in a fall
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Fix your home
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4 pCi/L
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About 7 people could get lung cancer
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The risk of dying in a car crash
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Fix your home
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2 pCi/L
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About 4 person could get lung cancer
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The risk of dying from poison
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Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
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1.3 pCi/L
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About 2 people could get lung cancer
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(Average indoor radon level)
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(Reducing radon levels below
2 pCi/L is difficult.)
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0.4 pCi/L
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(Average outdoor radon level)
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Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher.
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.
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It's never too late to reduce your risk of lung cancer. Don't wait to test and fix a radon problem. If you are a smoker, stop smoking
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Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special skills. You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon problems. A qualified contractor can study the radon problem in your home and help you pick the right treatment method.
Check with your state radon office for names of qualified or state certified radon contractors in your area. You can also contact private radon proficiency programs for lists of privately certified radon professionals in your area. For more information on private radon proficiency programs, visit www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html Picking someone to fix your radon problem is much like choosing a contractor for other home repairs - you may want to get references and more than one estimate.
If you are considering fixing your home's radon problem yourself, you should first contact your state radon office for guidance and assistance.
Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs.
You should also test your home again after it is fixed to be sure that radon levels have been reduced. Most soil suction radon reduction systems include a monitor that will indicate whether the system is operating properly. In addition, it's a good idea to retest your home every two years to be sure radon levels remain low.
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