What to Do if Your Test Shows Higher Radon Levels
| Radon Level | What You Should Do |
| Higher than 4 pCi/L | If you used a short-term test: Take a se ... |
| Between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L | Consider installing a radon reduction sy ... |
| Lower than 2 pCi/L | No action needed. Test your home again i ... |
What is a dangerous level of radon?
Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter, or pCi/L. Levels of 4 pCi/L or higher are considered hazardous. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk and in many cases can be reduced, although it is difficult to reduce levels below 2 pCi/L. The EPA estimates that a radon removal system costs about $1,200 for an average house.
How dangerous is radon really?
When radon gas enters the body, it exposes the lungs to small amounts of radiation. In small quantities, experts say this is harmless. However, in persistent exposures or larger quantities, radon can damage the cells of the lining of the lungs, increasing a person’s chance of developing lung cancer.
What are the signs your home has a Radon problem?
When testing with a home kit or a radon specialist:
- Close your house to the outdoors (windows and doors) for at least 12 hours prior and during a short-term test.
- Do not disturb or move the testing device.
- Promptly send the testing unit and all required information to the laboratory as soon as the test is complete.
- Do not perform a radon test during severe storms or periods of high winds.
What exactly is radon and why is it dangerous?
Radon: What Is It and Why Is It Dangerous? Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive, odorless, colorless, tasteless gas. It dramatically increases the risk of cancer in those who inhale air contaminated with it for long periods of time.
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Is it OK to live in a house with radon?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. If you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you and your family are at risk of high radon exposure.
Should I walk away from a house with radon?
Radon-related deaths are due to exposure over the course of a lifetime. "You should definitely take it seriously but you really don't need to walk away from the home. It's actually pretty easy to remove radon, and it's not that expensive," Consumer Reports Home Editor Paul Hope said.
How long does it take for radon to cause cancer?
Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop.
What are the symptoms of radon in the house?
If you think you've been exposed Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you've been exposed to high levels of radon, it's very important to quit smoking.
What time of year is radon highest?
winterTo answer that question, yes, radon levels in a home tend to be higher during the winter. And those higher levels of radon gas can lead to an increased chance of lung cancer. While indoor radon gas levels are generally higher during winter, sometimes the summer can have higher indoor radon levels.
How common is radon in homes?
one out of every 15 homesNearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state.
What are the first signs of radon poisoning?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.Persistent cough.Hoarseness.Wheezing.Shortness of breath.Coughing up blood.Chest pain.Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.Loss of appetite.More items...
Does opening windows reduce radon?
As a temporary solution, however, you can reduce radon levels simply by opening windows. Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open.
What is considered lifetime exposure to radon?
Who Is at Risk of Radon Exposure?Radon levelIf 1,000 people who did not smoke were exposed to this level over a lifetime…*20 pCi/LAbout 36 persons could get lung cancer10 pCi/LAbout 18 persons could get lung cancer8 pCi/LAbout 15 persons could get lung cancer4 pCi/LAbout 7 persons could get lung cancer4 more rows
Do air purifiers help with radon?
Air Purifiers are great for mold, dust, allergies, bacteria and viruses, and odors, but many people do not know that they can also help with toxins, gases and chemicals such as radon. The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter.
How do you reduce radon in a home?
Improving indoor ventilation One of the simplest ways to dilute moderate levels of radon is to increase the indoor ventilation by installing wall vents or window trickle vents. This can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 50%.
Where is radon most common?
Radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars and living spaces in contact with the ground. However, considerable radon concentration can also be found above the ground floor. Radon concentrations vary considerably between adjacent buildings, as well as within a building from day to day and from hour to hour.
What is Radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water that gets into the air you breathe. You cannot see, smell, or taste radon, but it is still a problem in your home.
The Levels of Radon Exposure
The best radon level measurement would be zero, but unfortunately, that’s impossible. Outdoor radon levels in the United States range from 0.02-0.75 pCi/L ( picocuries per liter ), averaging 0.4 pCi/L. The average radon level in US homes is 1.25 pCi/L, three times higher than the average level outdoors.
A Radon Problem Can Be Fixed
Once a home inspector has found signs of radon in your home, don’t panic. Radon is everywhere and fixing a radon problem is very straight-forward. If you have only performed a single test, the EPA recommends a follow-up test before fixing your home.
Find A Licensed Mitigation Specialist
Once you decide to rid your home of radon, it is recommended that you find a certified or licensed radon mitigation specialist to install your radon mitigation system in your home. Removing radon from a home requires specific technical knowledge and unique skill set.
Radon Mitigation
Radon mitigation is the process used to reduce radon gas levels in the breathing zones of an occupied home or building.
What to do if your radon detector is high?
A short-term solution is to increase the ventilation throughout your home and limit the amount of time people spend in rooms where your radon detector indicates a high level of radon. A more long-term solution would be ...
What is the first step in radon testing?
The first step is to determine what level of radon is acceptable to you. Radiation can cause potential health risks, and those risks increase as the radon level does. There are many different guidelines for acceptable radon levels.
Can you tolerate radon in your home?
While radon levels exist everywhere, you shouldn’t tolerate excessively high levels in your home. There are ways to detect and treat radon on your home, so there’s no need to fear the harmful effects of this gas.
How long can you leave radon detector in house?
A radon detector, which is a small device, will be left in the home for at least 48 hours, but it can be left for several days or even a month or two. The reasoning behind this is because radon levels tend to fluctuate each day, which means that a longer test can offer more accurate results.
What is the radon level in a home?
If your radon test detects a level of 4 or higher , then it is crucial that you do what you can to reduce the radon levels in your home.
How to get radon out of soil?
The most common solution for high levels (or at least elevated levels) of radon is for soil to be depressurized. This process simply collects the radon from beneath your home before it has a chance to enter and redirects it away from the home.
What is radon in the US?
What is Radon? Radon is a dangerous radioactive chemical that is currently leading cause of lung cancer deaths for nonsmokers in America—roughly 21,000 lives are claimed annually. Radon is a gas that comes naturally from the decaying of uranium, which can be found in just about all soils.
When should I test for radon?
It is recommended that you test for radon if you are thinking about building, renovating, buying, or selling a house. In some cases, such as if you are buying a home, a radon test may have already been performed by the developer or seller.
Does radon have a high level?
There are some areas of the United States that have heavier levels of radon (see this map ); however, regardless of where you live, any home can have a high level of radon inside it.
Where does radon come from?
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.
Can radon be found in water?
Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. For more information, see www.epa.gov/radon and www.epa.gov/radon/citizens-guide-radon-guide-protecting-yourself-and-your-family-radon.
Can radon build up in a house?
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.
