What Are Some Concerns of Radon?

Radon is a toxic gas which, because it is generally undetectable to the senses and occurs naturally in certain environments, can pose a significant health risk to human populations. Thankfully, there are precautionary and preventative measures that can be taken to reduce one's risk of radon exposure.

Radon

• Radon gas occurs when uranium and radium deposits decay in soil, rock or water, which can be found anywhere in the United States. The radioactive gas can enter buildings and houses through various ways, including cracks in the walls, open windows, gaps in service pipes, doorways and the water supply.

Health Risks

• Radon is considered to be one of the more significant health risks in the U.S. as of December 2010, as according to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to the gas is responsible for thousands of lung cancer cases annually. Both prolonged, minimum exposure and shorter, heightened exposure can be dangerous to one's health.

Detection

• Various types of equipment can be utilized for testing, ranging from charcoal canisters, which monitor radon levels over a couple of days, to longer-lasting devices like alpha track detectors, which may remain active for up to one year. Qualified testers can also be hired to assess a building or home. The EPA states any radon level at or above 4 pCi/L should be addressed.

Prevention

• Qualified experts can employ various methods to reduce radon levels in a building, including sealing all cracks in the foundation and walls, or constructing a ventilation system that pulls radon from underneath the structure and vents it outside.