One of the most common facts about radon that is being passed around, is that exposure to it is dangerous. While this is true there are a lot of people out there that have no idea just how dangerous it can be. In addition, there are many that believe it’s not a common problem, or one that can happen to them – they don’t seem to believe it can be a problem in their home. That is, of course, until they – or someone in their family – contracts lung cancer and it inspires them to search for answers as to why it all happened.

Common Facts About Radon

Image by the University of Liverpool

Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas which happens to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US and several other countries. It is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It should also be noted that a combination of exposure to tobacco smoke – or smoking – and radon gas will exponentially increase one’s risk for lung cancer. Of course, these facts about radon are accessible, as one only need to search for more information and they will be presented with an endless swarm of it.

Since radon is difficult to detect due to its properties, one of the only ways to discover whether or not its a problem in a residence or building is to test for it. Many believe that radon testing and mitigation – or the process of ventilation and removal of the gas – are quite expensive. In reality, the associated costs are not all that high – especially when you consider the fact that lung cancer has an extremely high mortality rate. Strictly speaking, it’s worth the cost to prevent or even just lower the risk of such dire health issues.

A lot of this information is already well documented and known, however. Generally, we discuss a lot of this information continuously in order to boost awareness about the problem. This time, instead of covering the same stuff we usually do, we’re going to take a look at many of the little known facts about radon.

Little Known Facts About Radon Gas

These facts will help you become more familiar with the element radon, and its associated dangers or health risks.

• Radon is a common and naturally occuring chemical element, identified as Rn on the periodic table with an atomic number of 86.
• Radon is a radioactive noble gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless, so the only way to discover its presence is to test specifically for it.
• Radon has a melting point of -95 °F (-71 °C) and a boiling point of -79 °F (-61.7 °C).
• If radon is cooled below its freezing point of −96 °F (−71 °C) it will emit a bright radiating yellow luminescence that slowly becomes an orange-red color as its overall temperature lowers.
• Radon is one of the most dense and heaviest gases under normal conditions, which is why testing the lowest level of a residence is always recommended.
• Radon levels in the air are measured by units of radioactivity per volume of air. The most common measurement – used in the United States – measures picocuries per liter of air abbreviated as pCi/L.
• The United States Environmental Protection Agency has clarified that the average indoor level of radon is about 1.3 pCi/L, while the recommended action limit is 4.0 pCi/L. For reference, the “action limit” is the point at which the residence should be outfitted with a ventilation or mitigation system. We recommend taking action if the radon levels are found to be above the average, which is 1.3 pCi/L as opposed to 4.0 pCi/L.
• According to the EPA, the average outdoor radon level is about 0.4 pCi/L.
• The U.S. EPA estimates that about 1 out of every 15 homes in the country are plagued with elevated radon levels.
• Only a few radon compounds have been found, not because they don’t exist but because the radioactive health risks of radon and the associated costs have made it difficult for research to be conducted.
• Two of the most common radioactive elements uranium and thorium, produce radium as a natural decay product, and radium then produces radon. As radon decays, it generates radioactive elements called radon daughters or decay products, and these are what can be so harmful to our health.
• Radon – which is airborne – can enter the lungs where it continues to undergo radioactive decay. While doing so it releases the radon daughters, which become trapped to the inner lining of the lungs. Since the alveolar cells in human lungs do not have a protective coating, the radon daughters attach imparting radioactive energy, resulting in the disruption of DNA in the connected cells. Ultimately, this leads to lung cancer.
• Since radon is so heavy, its decay particles can collect in great amounts, reaching very high concentrations inside buildings. It also means that lower levels of a residence or structure are more susceptible to elevated radon levels.
• There is a remarkably clear connection between exposure to high concentrations of radon and the incidence of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for more then 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States alone. It is also the second leading cause in many other countries including Canada, UK and more.
• In the 1940s – and 50s – poor ventilation in mines led to extremely prevalent incidents of lung cancer among miners of uranium and other hard rock materials thanks to high radon levels. This was especially true of the Czech Republic and United States, and it lead to the adoption of more efficient ventilation systems for mines around the world. It also serves as direct evidence that radon can be detrimental to our health.
• In the early 20th century, Lead contaminated gold – from gold seeds that were used in radiotherapy which also held some radon – were melted down and made into a small number of jewelry pieces, such as rings, in the U.S. Wearing one of these contaminated jewelry pieces, would lead to a small amount of radioactive skin exposure over time (10 to 100 millirad per day).
• Radon naturally occurs in some hot springs and other spring waters. It can also seep into ground water, and enter a home through a water source. Although, it is a more common problem for homeowners with a well. It should be noted that it’s rare to see dangerous radon levels in a home solely being attributed to a contaminated water supply alone.
• In the United States and Europe there actually exists “radon spas” where people sit for minutes or hours at a time in a high-radon atmosphere, believing that exposure to low doses of radiation will invigorate or energize them.
• The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has classified radon gas as a “known (…) human carcinogen.” The NTP is comprised of several U.S. government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Further studies conducted on miners exposed to elevated levels of radon have shown that the deadly gas may also be linked to non-cancerous respiratory diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. It has yet to be determined whether or not exposure to the kind of levels common in homes can also cause these health issues. However, the American Cancer Society found that people living with higher levels of radon did have a higher risk of dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radon and its progeny as “carcinogenic to humans.”
• In geographical areas where radon is more prevalent, it is actually considered a significant indoor air quality contaminant – because it can seep inside a residence or building and build up so easily.
• The highest average indoor radon concentrations in the United States have been found in Iowa and the Appalachian Mountains area in southeast Pennsylvania. In addition, extremely high radon concentrations have been discovered in Ireland particularly in the town of Mallow, County Cork.

Consider Yourself More Educated Now That You’ve Read These Facts About Radon

If you took the time to read all of those facts about radon, you can now consider yourself more educated on the element, the deadly gas and its associated dangers. We recommend you continue reading more about it, including ways to mitigate the problem should you discover an abundance of radon in your home.

As the age old saying goes, you’re better off safe than sorry. When it comes to lung cancer – especially because of its extremely high mortality rate – you’re better off taking action before there’s a problem. Have your home tested for radon as soon as possible, you won’t regret it.

Every year to boost awareness about the dangers of radon, the Kansas State University National Radon Program Services sponsors a National Radon Poster Contest. All students currently enrolled in a public, private, territorial, tribal, Department of Defense or home school can enter. In addition, children who are part of a sponsored club such as an art, computer, science, scouting organization or 4-H club may also enter.

What Is the National Radon Poster Contest?

The goal is for students to create an engaging, appealing and informative poster on one of several topics that pertain to the dangers of radon. If you’d like your student to enter, and you want to know what topics apply, here’s a quick list:

• What is radon?
• Where does radon come from?
• How does radon get into our homes?
• Radon can cause lung cancer.
• Radon statistics and information.
• Test your home for radon.

Sunny of Morganville, NJ (age 11)

Judges will grade the posters on the following standards: content accuracy, visual communication of topic, reproducibility and originality.

Winners of the National Radon Poster Contest will not only be recognized in their home area, their posters will be reproduced on a mass scale and distributed across the country in an effort to boost radon awareness. Winners – and a runner-up – will be chosen from each state and U.S. territory.

National winners receive a fair share of awards, including a personalized plaque and gift cards in the following amounts: $1,000 for first place, $600 for second, $400 for third and $400 for special online voting recognition.

The contest closes on October 31, 2014 so get those entries in as soon as possible. You can enter by submitting your poster and information online at the National Radon Program Services website.

Where to Find Usable Information for the National Radon Poster Contest

Information about the dangers of radon, associated symptoms, testing and mitigation processes and more can be found on this site. We strongly urge not only students participating in the contest, but also their families to read up on radon. Many have no idea that it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 Americans every year.

The unfortunate part is that it can easily be prevented if you have your home tested. Tests are pretty cheap – and easy to conduct – if you do them yourself. If you’re wary about it you can always hire a certified radon contractor to test your home, as well.

There’s no reason why there should be so many lives taken by this deadly gas. The dangers of radon need to be passed around – to friends, family and colleagues. However, we can start by educating our children, and getting them involved in something like the National Radon Poster Contest.

Via: PA DEP

Minnesota homes are susceptible to the deadly radon gas, despite a lack of awareness across the state. More than 40 percent of Minnesota homes that have been tested for deadly radon gas in the past 13 years, have been discovered to have elevated levels – that is, levels well over the recommended limit as set by the US EPA.

Deadly Radon Gas is the Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer in the U.S.

Image by Michael Hicks

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, the first in non-smokers. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year can be attributed to deadly radon gas exposure. The risk for lung cancer is even higher in residents who have been exposed to both deadly radon gas and tobacco smoke.

Even though Minnesota has a remarkably high deadly radon gas risk, there are no mandatory testing laws for residences, schools, or day care centers. This also means that disclosure about the problem is rather hush-hush during a real estate transaction – which directly results in most residents being oblivious to the issue.

Andrew Gilbert, outreach coordinator for the state Health Department’s radon program says that radon is a serious problem, that most need to be made aware of. He believes that a radon test should be commonplace for every real estate transaction in the state.

“The bottom line is if you live in Minnesota you are at risk for radon. You’re going down a checklist of things to take care of. This is just one more thing that you can do to protect yourself.”

A Deadly Radon Gas Story a Little Closer to Home

In September of 2012, Wes and Mary Anne Bry were prepared to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary with their three daughters. Unfortunately, Wes was diagnosed with lung cancer putting a damper in their celebrations.

Wes, who was 60 at the time, wondered where the cancer came from. He had never smoked, and he lived a relatively healthy lifestyle. A simple web search turned up information on the deadly gas radon. To see if there was indeed a problem, the Bry family purchased a DIY test at a local hardware store and tested the radon levels in their home. As it turned out, their house – which they had been living in for nearly two decades – exhibited radon levels that were three times the recommended limit of 4.0pCi/L as set by the US EPA.

“I alerted all my neighbors, anybody I know … I say: ‘You should be doing this test.'” Mary Anne Bry doesn’t want anyone to have to go through the same experience, and she’s right. Long term exposure to the deadly radon gas is what causes serious health issues. If you can test your residence, discover the problem and remove the gas from your home – through mitigation – then it lowers the risk for lung cancer significantly.

Exposure to Deadly Radon Gas Has No Short Term Health Symptoms

There are no short term symptoms of radon poisoning or lung cancer. In fact, most patients aren’t diagnosed with lung cancer until after the disease has progressed beyond a curable state.

“Wouldn’t it have been nice to be more aware of this, even a decade ago?” Wes says. “What 10 years could have done. That’s the past and now we’ll look at the future. We might be able to alter other people’s futures.”

Shortly after discovering the problem, the Bry family hired a certified mitigation team to install a radon removal system. It only cost them about $1,300, which is worth it considering the price they’d pay living in a contaminated home for much longer.

Subsequent tests in their home have shown the levels reduced to about 0.7 picocuries (pCi/L).

The deadly radon gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless which means the only way to discover its presence is to test specifically for it. Learn from stories like that of the Bry family, have your home tested immediately. The sooner you discover whether or not there’s a problem, the sooner you can take action. It also means the sooner you could be living with cleaner, healthier air in your home.

Via: Star Tribune

A test conducted at the North Dumfries, Ontario township hall revealed the presence of dangerously high radon gas levels. The Director of Building and Compliance Darryl Denny, presented his report to the town council – revealing the issue which was discovered after several radon tests were conducted on property.

Dangerously High Radon Gas Levels Found in Township Hall

Denny had the property tested after attending a radon awareness presentation by Hsiu-Li Wang, Waterloo’s associate medical officer of health.

“The single test results came back significantly higher than the recommended radon levels presented by Health Canada Guidelines.”

The keywords to take away from his statement are “significantly higher,” because the radon levels are extremely high. The Health Canada Guidelines recommend keeping levels below 200 BQ, but the report expressly states that the “levels found in the basement were over 1,000 BQ per cubic metre.”

As we often recommend, Denny commissioned follow-up testing on the property over the summer to explore which areas of the building are affected the most. The subsequent testing showed that most of the township hall’s offices had radon levels from 215 BQ to 386 BQ per cubic metre. However, levels in the basement ranged from 717 BQ all the way up to 1,329 BQ per cubic metre. Even if you know absolutely nothing about radon, it’s easy to see those are dangerously high radon gas levels.

The worst levels in the township hall building were actually found in the councils chambers, reading 1,908 BQ per cubic metre. To put that into perspective, that reading is 9.5 times the recommended action level of 200 BQ per cubic metre.

Mayor Rob Deutschmann said of the levels, “that could explain a few things, maybe we shouldn’t be here.”

High Radon Gas Levels Pose a Serious Health Risk

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer – the first in nonsmokers – and is responsible for the deaths of about 3,000 deaths every year, based on findings from Health Canada. It is a natural decay product of elements like Uranium, which commonly reside in soil, and rocks underground. The gas seeps into homes and residences through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring and collects in great amounts. It can exist anywhere, regardless of geographical location and even new homes with radon resistant construction can still exhibit high radon gas levels. That’s exactly why everyone should have their home, business or work tested for radon.

An estimated mitigation bill for the entire township hall building might cost as much as $15,000. It’s important to note that mitigation for a standard home would only be a fraction of that cost – the township hall is quite large.

Denny announced to the council that the township will be spending a total of $1,450 to have a radon consultant and expert examine the building and draw up a mitigation plan. After the total cost is available, the council can begin working on proposals to fix the problem.

If anything, this just goes to show that radon can exist anywhere, even in a township hall building.

Via: Cambridge Times

Mike Holmes, star of Holmes Makes it Right will be paying a visit to a local Canadian’s home to help them test it for the presence of radon gas and mitigate the problem. Of course, the home has already tested positive for excessive levels – the idea is to raise awareness about the silent killer.

Michael and Jana Katz have lived in their Niagara Falls home for 28 years now. In fact, they are the sole owners of the home and have lived in it since it was built. They tested the home for radon recently and found levels over 950 Bq/m3. For comparison, Health Canada has set a recommended action level of 200 Bq/m3 which the Katz home far exceeds.

To raise awareness about the dangers and presence of radon gas, the Katz family will be allowing Mike Holmes and his team to demonstrate how to test a home for its presence. In addition, they will be working with a team of certified radon mitigation experts to remove the deadly gas from the home – making it safe again for the Katz family.

The Presence of Radon Gas and What it Means

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada and the US – the first in non-smokers. It is a deadly, natural gas that can seep into a home through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring. It is released as a natural decay product of uranium and a couple of other elements, commonly found in soil and rock in the ground. In that respect, almost every home in both countries will be affected by radon gas. Of course, new homes are built using radon resistant construction but that doesn’t mean the gas can’t make its way inside – radon can indeed still be a problem in new homes. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what type of home you have, whether or not you have a basement, or even geographically where you live – you should always have your home tested for the presence of radon gas.

To offer some radon stats:

• 16% of lung cancer deaths are radon-related
• In 2006, 1900 Canadians died as a result of lung cancer from radon exposure
• It is estimated that 7% of all Canadians are living in a home with elevated radon levels
• In the US, more than 20,000 deaths every year are related to lung cancer from radon exposure

Mike Holmes and the Presence of Radon Gas Presentation

At 10am on Thursday, September 18, 2014 Mike Holmes and his team will be holding the presentation at the Katz residence. Experts from the Ontario Lung Association, Health Canada, and the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists will be on site to answer questions and assist with the presentation. If you’d like to become familiar with radon testing for mitigation you should definitely attend the event.

The Katz residence is located at 6449 Marco Crescent, Niagara Falls, ON.

Via: Power Engineering

During a real estate transaction it’s important to acquire radon test results for the home you’re intending to buy. That said, there are limits to how much you can rely on a test from the seller. This is not necessarily because the seller may be trying to pull a fast one on you, but instead it’s due to limitations with radon testing as a whole.

How Accurate are the Seller’s Radon Test Results?

With all this in mind, it begs the question when can you rely on a home sellers radon test results? What things should you be aware of when looking at those results, and when is it vital to have the home tested again?

When Was the Test Conducted?

One of the first – and most important – things you want to look at is when the test was conducted. If the test was performed over a year ago, it’s a good idea to call for a retest. We recommend testing a home twice a year, although the EPA recommends at least once. A test that’s two years old, however is not going to provide an accurate measurement of current radon levels in the home. This is because even during that relatively short amount of time, radon gas can build-up and become dangerous.

For example, let’s say the two year old reading is right at 4.0 pCi/L – the recommended action limit as set by the EPA. While that might have been slightly acceptable two years ago, it’s probably much higher now. Sure, this is good ol’ common sense but it’s still important to note.

Where Was the Test Conducted?

A radon test is supposed to be conducted in the lowest livable space of the home. That means even if your family is going to spend most of their time on the first story, the basement should be tested – if there is one. For those already living in the home, it’s an acceptable practice to test the area where you spend most of your time. During a real estate transaction however, you just want to be sure radon is not dangerous anywhere in the home. That’s why you should always ensure the radon test results have been collected in the lowest livable space.

Has the Home Been Renovated or Changed Since the Test?

If the home has been structurally renovated or updated, or has had any changes to the HVAC system, air sealing, crawlspace or attic, or anywhere that could affect contamination levels – then you need to retest the home. Changes can also affect the radon levels in a residence. Contrary to popular belief more outside air access can sometimes increase radon levels in the home, just as much as it can reduce it. That’s why no matter what’s been changed, it’s a good idea to test again.

Who Conducted the Test?

If a certified radon professional tested the home and the owner has the data to prove it, that’s more than acceptable – provided it’s timely information. If the test was conducted by the homeowner themself, or with a DIY kit then you should order a retest. This is because there are quite a few things that can go wrong while testing a residence, especially if the tester does not follow instructions properly. The only time you should rely on radon test results from a DIY test is when you’ve conducted it yourself and you know for a fact it’s been done properly.

Radon Test Results Are Important Because the Gas is Deadly

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It also happens to be responsible for the deaths of more than 20,000 Americans every year. The real problems come from long term exposure, however, which means it can be easily prevented.

The only way to discover whether or not radon is a problem in your residence – or one you’re considering buying – is to test for it. Radon mitigation – the process of removing radon from a home – is not too expensive, but the cost can be factored into a real estate transaction when necessary. This is why it’s a good idea to test a home before you purchase it. You can negotiate help mitigating the problem, or at the very least become aware there is one before you’re in over your head.

Residents in Salt Lake City Utah might be happy to know that a new radon removal service just rolled into town. Greene’s Inc. has announced that they now sell the proper equipment to detect and mitigate radon from local residences.

The idea is that homeowners will be more educated on the dangers of radon, while also being given the option – and tools – to take care of any problems in their home.

Greene’s Inc Is a Radon Removal Service

Image by Greene’s Inc

Since radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and is responsible for the deaths of more than 20,000 Americans every year this is most definitely a good thing. It will save lives in the long run.

Radon seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring. It is released as a natural decay product of elements such as Uranium, which is abundant in soil, rock and more. Once inside the home, it collects in great amounts eventually growing to hazardous levels. When inhaled, the radon gas particles remain stuck to the inner linings of a person’s lungs where they continue to decay. Since it’s a radioactive gas, it can cause serious harm to the body – resulting directly in lung cancer.

Get In Touch with a Radon Removal Service ASAP

The good news is that the health effects mostly come from long term exposure. Since radon increases the risk of contracting lung cancer – and that risk grows exponentially when smoking is involved – it can be prevented by mitigating the issue. In other words, the radon gas can be vented from the home and those affected will be safe from harm.

The only way to detect whether or not radon is a problem in your residence is to test the air specifically for its presence. That is why you need to get in touch with a radon removal service provider as soon as possible. The sooner you have your home tested the better off you and your family will be.

It just so happens, radon testing equipment is one of the things Greene’s Inc. now has available.

A Radon Removal Service Can Help You Mitigate Radon In Your Home

If a problem is discovered, Salt Lake residents can also acquire the proper tools to remove the deadly, cancer-causing gas from their home.

Jeremy Worley, a certified radon mitigation expert for Greene’s Inc. says that most people have no clue radon even exists.

“Lung cancer from radon gas is a huge problem most Americans don’t even think about while living in or buying their homes. This terrible disease and the needless deaths that result from radon exposure can be almost entirely avoided with a simple test and, if needed, the installation of a radon mitigation system.”

A huge problem indeed. If you are reading this, take some time to get familiar with the natural danger that is radon gas. Once you are educated, share the information with friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and anyone you know. The more people that are aware radon gas exists and that it’s a serious health risk, the better.

If you live in Salt Lake City, contact Greene’s Inc. as soon as possible and schedule a radon test for your home. If you live elsewhere in the U.S. – or the world – get in touch with a local radon removal service to get your home tested. Have it tested sooner rather than later. It will save your life, and the lives of your family.

Via: Sys-Con Media

Jersey is one of several different areas – another being south-west of England – where higher levels of radon gas have been reported. Due to an abundance of granite, the presence of radon gas in the area is much higher than normal so the probability of homes with higher-than average radon levels is high. Despite that, state and local departments have failed to raise radon awareness, and there seems to be a serious lack of information about radon gas at least as far as Jersey residents are concerned.

Jersey States Departments Not Doing Enough to Raise Radon Awareness

Deputy John Young, chairman of the environment scrutiny panel, says that there’s a lack of communication and “joined-up thinking” between health and environment departments which has rendered them unable to raise radon awareness. Many Jersey residents have no idea what radon gas is, let alone that it may be affecting their health and the future of their family.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, right behind tobacco smoke. For those who have also been exposed to tobacco smoke – such as those who smoke on a regular basis – the risk of contracting lung cancer is much higher. It doesn’t help that neither radon nor lung cancer exhibit short term symptoms. Often, by the time patients with lung cancer are diagnosed, the disease has progressed beyond a curable stage.

Environment minister Deputy Rob Duhammel has said in the past that studies are being conducted in Jersey to better understand radon and its associated problems.

“There is work being undertaken to assess the quality of indoor air but work on that will take a number of years to work out. Over and above that there is legislation being looked at to determine whether radon is as big of a problem as people think it might be.”

While it may take state and local organizations a lot longer to realize there is an issue, everyone else can look at the facts. More than 1,100 UK residents die every year from lung cancer after being exposed to elevated levels of radon gas. If that statistic alone doesn’t encourage you to help raise radon awareness, perhaps more information will.

If We Raise Radon Awareness Lives Can Be Saved

The ridiculous part about so many people being harmed by radon gas is that it can be prevented easily by testing homes. You can either hire an experienced professional or visit any home department or improvement store to purchase a DIY kit. If elevated levels are discovered in a home, a mitigation system is about €1,200 to install. When you look at the costs associated with lung cancer, as well as the living conditions of such a disease – that’s a very small price to pay.

So you see, it doesn’t matter how long it takes health and environment departments to get their act together – radon gas is an issue now. Take some time to understand the problem, and how you can prevent it. Before you know it, you and your family could be living in cleaner air and a healthier environment.

Via: BBC News