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What Affects Radon Levels?

Radon, a radioactive gas, comes from the breakdown of uranium. In sufficient levels radon can become lethal and because it has no identifiable physical characteristics, (no odor or color) people sometimes live in a home with dangerous amounts of it.

  1. Home Construction

    • Since radon occurs naturally in soil and rocks, much of it enters the home when it breaks down in the soil, rises and gets through cracks in the foundation, walls and pipes and even your water supply, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Once it gets in the home, it tends to get trapped and increases in concentration in your indoor air.

    Geography

    • According to Radon Test Kits, where you live affects your home's risk level for radon contamination. The highest concentrations of radon in water are usually found in mountainous regions, such as the Adirondack mountains and Appalachians. Thus, the northern states tend to have the most radon risk, while most of Texas (except Amarillo and Austin) and much of the U.S. western coast have the lowest.

    Considerations

    • Just because you live in an area that has a low average level of radon in the water or you bought a new home does not mean that you are safe from dangerous radon levels in the air. According to the EPA, homes of all ages and construction can have radon problems because certain building materials can leak radon. In addition, radon in water may increase airborne radon, although you need much higher levels in water to increase radon in the air.

    Time Frame

    • The radon levels in your air vary from day to day and during the seasons. Thus, the EPA recommends that you use long-term testing when gauging the radon levels in your home. However, short-term tests, such as an electret ion chamber or charcoal canister, can give you quick results to help you decide if you need immediate action; only a long-term (more than 90 days) test gets close to your true yearly average.

    Solution

    • The EPA suggests that you hire a contractor to implement a radon reduction system for your home if you have near or already dangerous levels of radon, as most people cannot adequately install one themselves. However, you can take some measures to reduce radon in your home, such as sealing any openings and cracks in your foundation and walls and increasing air flow through the house to temporarily lower radon concentrations.

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