We’ve established by now, that radon is a naturally occurring gas that seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring. However, as evidenced by the existence of radon gas in water supply there are other ways you can come into contact with the deadly gas. Although they might seem dangerous or scary, the only real danger is when it collects in great abundance in your home.

Still, it helps to know when and where you may encounter a radon gas source in the world around you.

Radon Gas Source: The Open Air

Image by Shadowgate

Believe it or not, a certain amount of radon gas exists in the open air. Yes, the air you breathe is a radon gas source.

The national average of outdoor radon levels is 0.4 pCi/L, but in some cases it can be as high as 0.75 pCi/L. The National Academy of Sciences estimates that outdoor radon levels are responsible for approximately 800 of the 21,000 radon induced lung cancer deaths in the country each year. While not quite as significant as the total number of those affected by radon, it is enough to make a difference.

That explains why it is so important to limit exposure to elevated levels of radon gas. Seeing as many of us are already exposed to the silent killer in some form or another, it’s never good to increase total exposure, especially in concentrated amounts. You’re never truly far from a radon gas source.

Radon Gas Source: Rocks and Building Materials

You may have heard claims that radon gas can enter your home after being released by a granite countertop or similar building materials. This is true, however the likelihood of this source being hazardous to ones health is low. Radon does seep out of various rocks and natural materials in extremely small amounts. This alone, is not enough to cause a significant buildup in your home or residence. Of course, if you already have elevated levels in your home this can certainly make things worse.

If you’re truly concerned about granite countertop or similar materials you can purchase testing kits that will tell you how much radon they’re giving off.

Radon Gas Source: The Water Supply

A certain amount of radon gas can enter the home — and your body — through a water supply. More often than not, like with granite countertops, it’s not a high enough concentration to cause a problem. However, there have been cases where high amounts of radon gas have been found in a water supply. Generally, this is when a well is involved — as the gas can be trapped inside. You may or may not find traces of radon gas in a treated city-based water supply.

While it is debated, health risks associated with radon ingestion — through a water supply — seem to be almost negligable. You’re most at risk when the radon daughters and particles are absorbed by the lungs.

Radon Gas Source: Your Home

Image by Lisa (Flickr)

Not all homes have elevated levels of radon, but enough do that it should concern every homeowner. It is estimated that every one in fifteen homes in the country have elevated levels within.

Radon gas seeps in through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring. It’s a natural decay product of elements such as Uranium, commonly found in the soil and rock underneath our feet — and our homes.

Once it seeps inside a home, it collects in concentrated amounts and does not dissipate as its a remarkably dense gas. Opening doors and windows won’t help anything either. In fact, in many cases it may even make the problem worse.

The only way to remove radon from a home is to install a mitigation system. The problem, however is detecting the gas. It’s invisible and virtually undetectable: odorless, colorless and tasteless. The only way to discover whether or not its a problem is to test specifically for it. Luckily, you can purchase a DIY testing kit at any local hardware store or online for relatively cheap ($10 – $20). Sadly, most people don’t even have a clue it’s a danger, let alone that it could be lurking in their home.

Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in many countries — not just the US. Here in the states, it’s responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 each year. As you can see, it’s a pretty serious issue any way you cut it.

According to the University of Iowa, the state has the highest average for indoor radon levels in the country. That should be alarming to Iowa residents considering radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the nation, responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 each year.

The biggest problem with radon gas is that it’s odorless, colorless and tasteless — meaning it’s virtually undetectable. Most homeowners or residents have no idea the gas is even lurking about. In fact, the only way to discover whether or not its a problem is to test specifically for it. Luckily, you can purchase a DIY testing kit for relatively cheap ($10 – $20) at any local hardware store or online. However, if you never test your home, you’ll never know it’s killing you.

Iowa May Require Builders to Pre-Install Radon Mitigation Systems

That may soon change, as the Iowa Senate will be weighing in on legislation that requires builders to integrate radon mitigation systems in all new homes. This is done by running a series of pipes under the foundation, which are then connected to a fan that pumps the gas out and away. In some cases, if the radon mitigation system detects elevated levels of radon, then it will automatically activate the fan and clean out the home. In others, it runs constantly and keeps the home radon free at all times.

Of course, these pre-built radon mitigation systems will not include the fan. Instead, builders will run the pipeline as described. Later, if the homeowner discovers elevated levels they can have a fan installed which is much cheaper than installing a radon mitigation system from scratch.

For comparison, new radon mitigation systems cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the size of the structure and who installs the setup. In other words, it could save homeowners about $1,000 should they discover elevated levels exist in their home at a later date.

Not only would this help new homeowners protect themselves and their families, it will also show everyone that it doesn’t matter what kind of home you live in — they are all susceptible. New homes, old homes, homes with basements, homes without, apartments, manufactured homes; they are all susceptible to radon gas.

Radon Mitigation Is Necessary to Protect Against Elevated Levels

Image by SWAT Environmental

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released by elements such as Uranium, which are commonly found in the soil and rock underneath our feet. Once it seeps up from the surface it can enter homes, apartments or residences through cracks in the foundation, walls or flooring. Because the gas is so dense, it collects in great abundance — generally in lower levels of a home. That said, it can and will spread and that includes to first and second story homes even where there is a basement below.

Location doesn’t matter either. While some areas — such as Iowa — are more prone to the issue, radon gas exists everywhere. From greater New England, all the way down to Florida. From the Carolinas, all the way west to Cali. It’s not just a problem here in the US either. Other countries such as Canada, the UK and even Ireland have problems with the silent and deadly gas.

So, this bill under consideration in Iowa should truthfully be considered everywhere in the country. It’s enough that homeowners have to worry about various hazards like mold, mildew, toxic paints and chemicals and hazardous materials. Time and time again, we’ve continuously seen negligent builders who are not concerned with the health and wellness of the families that will be living in these homes, but instead their own coffers. Isn’t it time we started protecting ourselves from these glaring dangers? In the case of radon, have a mitigation system primed and ready to go in new homes — should radon gas rear its ugly head — is an exceptional idea.

Via: Iowa Public Radio

There are many people that doubt the fact that radon gas is hazardous to your health. You can even find several privately owned websites that claim to have evidence radon has been concocted — as something of a conspiracy — and totally fictional.

The truth is that radon gas can be extremely dangerous when you’re exposed to it over long periods of time. After all, it is directly responsible for increasing the risk of lung cancer. More than 21,000 Americans die each year thanks to radon-induced lung cancer. Worse yet, one in fifteen homes in the US are estimated to have elevated levels of radon gas within; and the homeowners probably have no idea. Since radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless it’s virtually undetectable. The only way to discover its presence is to test for it with special testing equipment.

Sadly, most people have no idea its such a problem and those who do seem to dismiss it entirely. It doesn’t matter how many health and wellness agencies declare it a problem. In case you’re wondering, here are a couple of those agencies and what they have to say about radon:

• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has classified radon and its progeny as “carcinogenic to humans.”
• The National Toxicology Program (NTP) — comprised of several different US government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — has classified radon as “a human carcinogen.”
• The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Forget the agencies that claim it’s hazardous what do they know anyway, let’s take a look at some scientific studies and evidence that it truly is dangerous. Perhaps that will convince you?

Scientific Studies on Radon Gas

Several studies were conducted, and they found that exposure to radon gas over long periods of time increases the risk of lung cancer. That risk eventually builds up until it overflows, which essentially means you’ll get the disease one way or another.

These studies were comprised of the following:

• Studies of underground miners working in areas with high levels of radon exposure. Most of these studies focused on workers in uranium mines. However, workers from other types of mines were also found to be at risk, and were also linked to high instances of lung cancer.
• Studies that compared the average radon levels in homes of those diagnosed with lung cancer with the levels found within homes of those that did not have the disease.
• Studies that compared the total number of lung cancer instances or deaths in areas with differing levels of radon exposure.
• Studies of lab animals show an increased risk for lung cancer after exposure to radon gas. These studies have also revealed, breathing in radon significantly increases the risk of lung tumors. The risk is increased exponentially if the animal breathes in cigarette smoke and radon. In addition, the risk of other cancers was increased, such as cancer of the lip, nasal cavity and bladder.
• Studies by the American Cancer Society found that people living in areas with elevated radon gas levels are at a higher risk of dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis).

All of these studies have shown that radon gas is hazardous to one’s health, though the true impact of exposure is highly debated. It is obvious that lung cancer risk is even greater in smokers who have also been exposed to radon.

In addition, lung cancer is not the only form of cancer or pulmonary ailment that’s been linked to radon gas. Several long term studies of uranium miners found they have a higher risk of contracting other types of cancer, as well. Unfortunately, since the miners — involved in those studies — were not exposed to elevated levels of radon gas, it is not clear whether or not radon is the cause of those cancers. They may instead be linked to uranium dust or other hazardous elements the workers encountered within the mines.

Radon Gas is Truly Hazardous to Your Health

The next time you — or anyone else you know — wants to raise the question whether or not radon gas is truly hazardous to your health, consider this: radon testing kits are available for less than $20 at any local hardware store or online. Wouldn’t it be smarter to test your home for the presence of this silent, yet deadly gas before making any assumptions?

If you do find elevated levels of radon gas within your home, don’t panic. It is not costly or expensive to fix the problem, despite what many may claim.

Secure your health and your family’s health. Test your home. Find the problem, if there is one. Take action.

One of the most common misconceptions about radon gas is that it’s a costly problem all around. That is indeed true, but it’s not costly for the reasons you may think. For instance, it’s often reported by news and media channels that once elevated levels of radon are discovered it will cost you a great deal of money to rid your home of this silent menace. That is quite simply not true, and we’re going to prove it to you.

But first, we’ll take a look at why radon is so costly, for a different reason.

Radon is Dangerous, and Costly for Your Health

Image by Lisa (Flickr)

Radon is not expensive financially, unless you allow it to wreak havoc on your own health and your family’s. You see, it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in many countries including the US, Canada, and the UK. In America alone, it is responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 each year.

If you contract lung cancer, not only are you in serious danger you’re probably going to go bankrupt too. It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars for treatment on a single person. It also happens to be the form cancer with the highest mortality rate. This is because it’s difficult to detect early enough, which is the critical time for preventing serious damage to the body. Worse yet, lung cancer — as any form of cancer — can run rampant and spread throughout the body.

If you also smoke and you’re exposed to radon, then your chances of contracting lung cancer increase exponentially.

Of course, the risk is what is increased here so there are no guarantees you’ll get lung cancer from exposure to radon. Then again, it’s entirely possible to get lung cancer from even a few years or months of exposure. It all just depends.

The odd are not what matter in the long run, especially if you don’t want to end up being in the 21,000 that are affected by the silent killer.

Radon Testing is Not Costly

Photo by WPB Radon

Since radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless there is absolutely no way to detect its presence without using the appropriate testing equipment. This involves collecting air samples in the home, residence or business and then analyzing them for the radioactive gas in a lab.

As a homeowner, there are two routes you can take in order to test your home for the presence of radon gas. You can purchase a testing kit from any local hardware store or online and do it yourself, or you can hire an experienced professional with experience in the matter. If you decide to go with a professional be sure they have been certified by the state in which you live, and seek out their name or company on the state registered lists. You can find more information about that here. The reason we recommend seeking this information is because if elevated levels are discovered they will likely recommend a mitigation plan for your home, and you want to ensure any mitigation system is installed by a certified professional and not an imposter.

Testing requirements vary depending on the area in which you live and various regulations therein. Some states recommend testing once a year while others recommend every three to five years. However, we recommend testing twice a year. The Radon testing process in general can take quite some time to complete, and so can mitigation when necessary. Since long term radon exposure is what causes the most damage to your health, it’s best to reduce the amount of time that happens.

The two best seasons to test are in the winter and summer months. The weather does affect the levels of radon in a home, however that’s not why these seasons are best. During the winter and summer months you’re more likely to leave the windows and doors to your home sealed. During a radon test you want to be sure the home or residence being tested remains sealed as much as possible. This will allow for a more accurate reading of the radon levels in the home.

Furthermore, it’s always good to conduct a short-term test first, and then a long-term test if elevated levels are discovered after the first test. Subsequent evidence of elevated levels obviously calls for a mitigation system to be installed.

What are you looking for during testing? The US EPA has set a recommended action limit of 4.0 pCi/L. That means if levels exceed this limit one should install a mitigation system and plan to reduce the gas as quickly as possible. We recommend mitigation if levels exceed 2.0 pCi/L.

At exposure levels of 4.0 pCi/L it’s the equivalent of smoking nearly a half a pack of cigarettes per day in terms of risk for lung cancer. For each additional 15 pCi/L of radon gas, it’s the equivalent of a full pack of smoking a full pack of cigarettes. As you can see, the risk increases quickly.

As for cost, radon testing kits cost anywhere from $12 – $20 for a DIY package. You can find them online at marketplaces like Amazon, or at a local hardware store. As for signing on a professional to test your home, they will often offer a consultation for free. It should give you some idea of whether or not mitigation is required in your home.

Radon Mitigation is Not Expensive

Image by SWAT Environmental

When elevated radon levels are discovered it calls for mitigation, or the removal of the deadly radioactive gas from the home or residence. Those who know nothing of the process or the associated costs will claim it’s expensive.

Worse yet, there are realtors and sales agents who believe that mitigation is taboo. They seem to believe that the discovery of an installed mitigation system — or elevated radon gas — will sour a real estate sale. While this may be true in thought, the belief is misplaced.

The average cost of radon mitigation system can range from about $800 – $2400 depending on the size of the home or residence, location and the contractor chosen. That is a very small price to pay especially when compared to the cost of the average home in total, or the medical bills of someone with lung cancer.

Dealing with Radon is Not Costly

As you can see, dealing with a radon problem is not as costly as one might thing financially. Ignoring the problem can be so much more costly for one’s health, and that of a family living inside a home with elevated levels of radon gas. We strongly urge you to test your home for the presence of radon if you haven’t already done so. If elevated levels are discovered, get in touch with a local radon professional — make sure they are certified first.

For more information on radon gas, associated dangers and anything else related to it such as testing, mitigation and more you can browse Radon Resources or head on over to the US EPA page dedicated to radon.

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It’s responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 Americans each year. That’s not even taking into account its impact in other countries. It’s also the second leading cause of lung cancer in places like Canada, Europe and more.

Unfortunately, few people are aware that it’s such a big issue. To make matters worse, the folks that do know about it, haven’t been properly educated. That is to say, there are dozens — if not hundreds — of myths and misconceptions floating around that only work to confuse people more.

Make no mistake about it people, radon gas is a severe problem and it affects all of us. It is estimated that every one in fifteen homes in the country have elevated levels of radon gas inside. Since it’s odorless, colorless and tasteless the only way to discover its presence is to test specifically for it.

The longer you are exposed to concentrated levels of radon gas, the higher your risk for lung cancer is. At the recommended action limit of 4.0 pCi/L — as set by the US EPA — exposure is the equivalent of smoking roughly a half a pack of cigarettes per day. For every additional 15 pCi/L, that jumps another full pack. You’d be surprised how many homes out there have elevated levels at 30 pCi/L or higher.

Common Myths About Radon Gas

To clear up some of the confusion, we’re going to explore some of those myths and misconceptions to identify why they’re wrong, and what the truth is.

• Scientists are not sure whether or not Radon is a problem – This is false, we know for sure it’s a problem there are just many debates on how extensive the dangers are.
• Radon testing is too difficult, expensive and time consuming – It is not any of these things.
• Home with elevated Radon levels cannot be fixed or lived in – a home with Radon issues can be fixed very quickly and easily in most cases, and is most certainly still livable.
• Radon only affects certain types of homes, including those built years ago – Radon can affect any home or location, it doesn’t matter.
• My neighbor has elevated Radon levels, so I probably do too – Radon levels can vary greatly from residence to residence, the only way to know for sure is to perform a test.
• You cannot sell a residence or business that previously had Radon problems – This is not true at all, in fact after a residence has been protected from future Radon problems most buyers would consider this a bonus.
• Radon only exists in the basement — This is not true; it may first seep into a home through the basement, but it can spread to other livable areas of the home.
• Mobile and manufactured homes are immune to radon — All homes are susceptible to radon
• You can lower radon levels by opening doors or windows — Not at all, in fact in some cases radon levels may even increase when you let more air inside your home. Ventilation is always good, but it’s not a viable solution to remove radon gas.
• Radon is a residential problem only — Radon can be a problem in any enclosed structure including commercial buildings, businesses and public buildings such as schools or libraries.

That about wraps it up for myths. If you’d like to read more general information about radon gas head on over to our dedicated page.

Testing for Radon Gas

Now that you’ve acknowledged radon is a problem and it may even be a risk in your home, where do you go next?

Your next step is to test your home for the presence of this deadly gas. You can either do it yourself — by purchasing a DIY kit at a local hardware store or online — or hire an experienced professional to come to your home and do the work. We recommend performing a short-term test in your home first, and then hiring an experienced professional if the results turn-up elevated levels.

Short-term tests are placed inside the home at the lowest livable area — this does not necessarily mean basement, this means the lowest livable space of your home that you frequent most. Never place a test in a kitchen or bathroom, because there are appliances that may affect the test samples.

Before beginning a test, lock down your home for twelve hours. During this time, minimize the opening and closing of both doors and windows as much as possible. Do not run any ventilation systems that run to the outside, and turn off all indoor fans.

When placing the sample vials, they must be at least 20 inches off the floor and six inches away from each other. After the vials have been placed, you can remove the caps. It is very important that you wait a minimum of 48 hours, but no more than 96 hours (two to four days) before placing the caps back on the vials. In addition, you should never disturb the vials in any way. Make sure you have placed them in a location where they will not be tampered with.

When the time is up, place the caps back on the vials and send them to the appropriate laboratory along with the necessary resources – which is usually an information form and a check to cover applicable fees. It is recommended that you mail the vials within a day or two so that the lab can return accurate results.

The laboratory will either mail the results back to your home or post them online, depending on the service and brand you’ve chosen for your test.

Obviously, if you hire a professional to do the test you will need to follow the same steps listed here but someone else will be conducting the air collection duties.

If your short-term test turns up elevated levels of radon, we recommend performing a long term test. This will provide you with a more accurate average of the levels in your home. As we recommended above however, you’re better off finding a professional when you discover elevated levels because they can walk you through the mitigation process if you find your home is a hot zone.

Radon Gas Mitigation and Removal

If you discover radon levels in your home that exceed 4.0 pCi/L then mitigation is absolutely necessary. Although, we recommend having mitigation done if your levels are above 2.0 pCi/L.

Image by SWAT Environmental

Radon mitigation is quite simply, installing a unique ventilation system that removes the radon gas from inside the home and pushes it out into the open air. Once dispersed, it is no longer as dangerous and hazardous because it is not concentrated. Keep in mind, the area above a radon ventilation duct can be dangerous, but generally these are placed high above the home — primarily on rooftops — out of reach.

When modern homes are constructed, they are built using radon-resistant measures. Unfortunately, they don’t always work. Things like a radon barrier — which is a thin sheet of plastic placed over the foundation — don’t always keep the dense gas out of a home.

In the most common form of mitigation performed, a ventilation duct or pipe is usually placed below the foundation or run through the floor in the lowest livable area. It is fed through the entire home, and out of the ceiling/roof so the radon gas can escape outside. A fan is connected to the system to help push the radon gas out from under the home. In most cases, this lowers the levels of radon gas inside. Further testing is always recommended after a mitigation system has been installed, just to ensure it’s in proper working condition. In fact, we recommend testing your home at least twice a year: once in the summer and another time in the winter.

The mitigation system described above may not work for all homes, which is why it’s good to hire a professional. They will assess radon problems on a case-by-case basis and decide what system will work best to remove it. They are also certified by the state, and appear on a National Certified list (NEHA/NRSB). Do not hire someone who claims to be certified, yet cannot provide proof. It’s best just to use the National Certified list to locate a local radon professional in your area.

Keep Your Home Safe from Radon Gas

In due time, you can ensure your home is free of radon, and safe for your family. In the grand scheme, testing for radon and having a mitigation system installed (when necessary) is well worth the invested time and cost. Lung cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of any form of cancer, and medical bills related to it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Compared to a DIY radon test which is about $30, and a mitigation system which can run about $3,500 at its most expensive the cost of lung cancer is exponentially higher.

Test your home for radon — or have it tested — today.

A small village in Kazakhstan has become known as “sleepy hollow” or “sleepy valley,” because residents intermittently fall asleep and enter a catatonic state. For years, researchers have been trying to figure out what’s wrong with no luck. It appears that they may finally have their answer.

Radon gas.

Radon Gas is Responsible for ‘Sleepy Hollow’ Residents Becoming Lethargic and Catatonic

Doctor’s claim that extremely high levels of radon gas have seeped out of the ground, after being produced by a nearby Soviet-era uranium mine. This radon gas is slowly poisoning the residents, causing severe health issues, including the odd “sleeping” issues.

Just last summer, more than 60 residents in the area were hospitalized after showing signs of the strange illness, which left them dizzy, unable to stand and balance, and even seriously fatiqued. As a side effect they were also experiencing memory loss.

Even young children were being affected by the strange plague, remaining in bed and lethargic for several days at a time.

A rough estimation was given, and about one in five of the village’s 600 residents have been affected by the illness at some point.

Local resident Igor Samusenko, says that his son suffers from the ailment.

“He runs around and then he gets inert, starts staggering. When he turns his head his eyes stay fixed at what he was looking at. If you try to wake him it seems the wants to open his eyes but can’t. Sleepy valley, sleepy hollow, that’s what people call us.”

Professor Leonid Rikhvanov from the Department of Geo-ecology and Geo-chemistry finally concluded that the uranium mines were the cause of all the trouble. At first he believed that a virus or type of bacteria was the root cause, but he eventually ruled this theory out.

Rikhvanov’s take on the whole thing is: “The mines left open spaces underground which were slowly filled with water that has risen upwards, driving pockets of gas inside them to the surface. The gas has a toxic effect that pushes a person into a dream like state, and the person then falls asleep.”

Radon Gas Was Found to Be the Problem

For years, the professor — with help from the Tomsk Polytechnic University — has carried out hundreds of different experiments in an attempt to discover the source of the problem. In all that time, they never factored in radon as a possibility simply because it’s so hard to detect. Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, which means it’s virtually undetectable. In fact, the only way to discover its presence is to test exclusively for it.

“We eliminated viral and bacterial infections but also obtained test results that ruled out the possibility of radiation sickness too. We also failed to find any evidence that toxic chemicals were buried in the area as many locals claimed.”

Medical professionals found themselves stumped because villagers were constantly examined to have excessive fluid in the brain, and they didn’t understand why or how it was happening.

Doctor Egor Korovin, the acting physician for many of the examined villagers, said: “In medical terms they are suffering from encephalopathy, a disorder of the brain but the cause is unclear. Scans have shown that many of the sufferers have excessive accumulation of fluid in their brains.”

Radon Gas is Extremely Hazardous to One’s Respiratory Health

Image by Yale Rosen

It just does to show that radon — a naturally occurring radioactive gas — can be extremely hazardous to one’s health. After seeing and hearing what it’s doing to these villagers, it’s not a stretch to believe that radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, UK, Canada and many other countries. In just the US alone, more than 21,000 Americans die each year due to radon-induced lung cancer.

There are many studies that show prolonged exposure to radon gas is bad for respiratory health and general health, however very few reveal what actually happens when people are bombared with extremely high levels of the gas.

In September 2014, a Russia Today film crew took some time to test the area, to get some idea about the radon levels. In turn, they reported that the locals were subjected to radiation doses 16 times higher than expected from background radiation near the underground mine. In other words, those radiation levels, and the radon gas causing it are collecting in great abundance throughout the area.

As for how they locals are going to handle the problem, village officials are proposing to move the entire town away from the problem area. In hindsight, it seems like one of the only surefire things that will solve the problem. When radon is inside a home or enclosed space you can install a mitigation system to ventilate the gas. However, when radon is in such an abundance in the open area and surrounding environment, there’s little you can do but vacate the area. It begs the question, what other areas across the world are affected by this deadly — yet invisible — gas?

Ed Petterson and his wife Jane found that their dream home in Nashville, Tennessee may not be such a blessing after all.

“We wanted something quiet, serene and out of the way, and it had a nice view and good acoustics,” said Petterson, describing a home that was absolutely everything he and his wife had always wanted.

Unfortunately, that dream state didn’t last long.

“I started to get some symptoms, really heavy ringing in my ear and my brain and sinuses. [When we moved in] we forgot to test for Radon and we tested for radon and boom it was off the charts. That went anywhere from a low of 417 to 537.”

Radon Gas Exposure is Extremely Hazardous

Image by Lisa (Flickr)

Those levels are extremely high, hundreds of picocuries above the recommended action limit at 4.0 pCi/L. For reference, the US EPA has set an official action limit at 4.0 pCi/L, which means any homes at or above that should have a mitigation system installed immediately to ventilate the deadly gas. At that level (4.0 pCi/L) it’s roughly the equivalent of smoking a half a pack of cigarettes per day. For every additional 15 pCi/L added, that’s another full pack of cigarettes. In the Petterson family’s case, exposure to 537 pCi/L would have been equal to smoking just over 35 packs of cigarettes per day. Hopefully, we don’t have to explain how insane that is.

Keith Phillips of Franklin Environmental Services says they are the highest levels his company has seen in about five years.

“That is like a coal mine,” said Phillips. “[Those are some] extreme levels of radon.”

Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that can creep into any home. It’s produced as a natural decay product by elements such as Uranium, which can be commonly found in the soil and rock underneath our feet. Once produced, the dense radon gas seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring. It then collects in great amounts, causing severe health issues one of the most common of which is lung cancer.

In fact, more than 21,000 Americans die each year from radon-induced lung cancer. Radon gas happens to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in many countries over, including the US, Canada and the UK.

Radon Gas is More Common Thank You Think

It’s a widespread problem too, contrary to popular belief. Because radon occurs naturally, it can exist anywhere and seep into any home. It is estimated that one out of every fifteen homes in the United States have elevated levels of radon gas within.

In the open air it’s not a problem, however in small spaces where the gas is concentrated it can cause severe harm to the body and lungs.

Dr. John Benitez, managing director of the Poison Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has confirmed that prolonged exposure to the deadly gas can affect your health in some major ways.

“Taking a whiff of it in your house by itself is not a problem. If you continue breathing that high concentration of Radon gas over time will develop radioactivity on your lungs.”

Particles called radon daughters are inhaled and then stick to the inner linings of your lungs, where the continue to undergo radioactive decay. Over time, this causes the cells inside the lungs to become cancerous.

How Do You Prevent Problems With Radon Gas?

Wondering what the best way to prevent such a thing is? Have your home tested for the presence of radon gas, and if elevated levels are discovered hire an experienced professional to install a mitigation system.

You can purchase a DIY testing kit at any local hardware store or online. If you don’t want to bother with the process yourself, you can also hire a professional to test your home for you.

WSMV Nashville — the news provider that originally broke the story — mistakenly claims that radon testing and mitigation is costly, with the Petterson family having spent thousands of dollars on both. While that estimate may be true — if not a bit exaggerated — the price of a few tests and mitigation system can hardly outweigh the cost of lung cancer should one eventually contract it from prolonged exposure. Not to mention the serious health implications of lung cancer, which has one of the highest mortality rates of any form of cancer. Let’s just say, you don’t want it.

Radon mitigation systems generally cost anywhere from $1,400 – $2,500. Keep in mind, radon professionals you hire should always be certified to conduct their business. If they are not nationally certified, then don’t hire them to do the work!

You can find more information about radon, testing and even mitigation here at Radon Resources.

Radon — a naturally occurring radioactive gas — seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring. Once inside, it collects in great amounts causing serious harm to the inhabitants within. In other words, your home may very well be killing you slowly and silently.

The gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless which means it’s virtually undetectable, unless you use the appropriate radon testing kit.

To be honest, the odds are stacked against you. One out of every fifteen homes in the country is estimated to have elevated levels of radon gas. To add to that, more than 21,000 Americans die each year due to radon-induced lung cancer. Of course, it doesn’t happen immediately; lung cancer is contracted after years of prolonged exposure.

Fortunately, it can be prevented pretty easily. There is a common misconception that airing out your home by opening windows and running A/C units will ventilate the radon gas. That is not true at all. Radon is an incredibly dense gas, and although it can easily seep into homes it generally remains at the lowest levels of a structure. In fact, in quite a few scenarios it’s entirely possible that opening doors and windows to a home can cause the radon levels inside to increase especially during winter months.

The only way to ventilate radon gas from a home — when there are elevated levels within — is to install a mitigation system. This should be done by a local radon contractor and professional.

Test Your Home for Radon Gas

Before you can take action — or know whether or not you need to — you need to test your home for the presence of radon gas. Luckily, you can pick up a DIY radon testing kit at any local hardware store or online for about $12 – $15. You can also hire an experienced professional to come out and test your home if you don’t want to deal with the process.

DIY testing kits require you to mail in your samples to a remote lab, where they identify the gas levels in the air samples. The results are then sent back to you about a week or two later.

The two best times to test a home for the presence of radon gas are during the summer and winter months. The weather and climate does affect the levels of gas inside the home, but these are also times residents are less likely to be opening doors and windows frequently.

If you’d like more information about radon testing you can read our in-depth feature here, or you can pay a visit to the US Environmental Protection Agency Radon page.

Install a Mitigation System to Remove Elevated Levels of Radon

Image by SWAT Environmental

As we mentioned above, if elevated levels are discovered then you need to take measures to have a radon mitigation system installed. A professional will analyze your home, radon gas readings and discuss the plan of attack. Generally, they end up running a ventilation pipe below the concrete slab under the foundation which is attached to a fan. This system is then used to remove the radon gas from underneath the home, preventing it from entering the house above.

Of course, even if a radon mitigation system is installed follow-up tests should be conducted. The mitigation system should remain on at all times, and radon tests should be conducted at least twice a year to ensure the system is working properly.

Again, just opening doors and windows in your home will not help the situation at all. If anything, it will make matters worse.

Homeowner Jan Poulsen of South Jordan Utah, was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer thanks to exposure to elevated levels of radon gas. After remodeling her home, she disturbed the soil underneath and it changed the radon levels in her home, which grew to be well over the recommended action limit.

Testing Your Home for Radon Gas May Save Your Life

Image by Lisa (Flickr)

Poulsen first bought her home in 1992 and had the house initially tested for radon gas.

“We did test it and it was at an acceptable level,” she said. “Well we didn’t know what that really meant because we never heard of radon.”

Years later, she had her home remodeled to expand a walk out basement. Naturally, this disturbs the soil underneath releasing any radon gas that may have collected under the slab. She did not think to retest her home, which was a bad decision.

“5 Years later I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and I’m not a smoker, never have been,” says Poulsen.

After being diagnosed, her doctor recommended retesting the radon gas levels in her home, which she did.

“[The test] came back 24.9 Which is over 6 times what the acceptable level is.”

This is not just an isolated story either. About 160,000 people die each year from lung cancer, and of those 21,000 have died due to radon-induced lung cancer. Every one in fifteen homes in the country is estimated to have elevated radon gas levels inside, and most homeowners and families have no idea about it.

“[Mrs. Poulsen’s] medical bill alone was about $1.25 million so far,” says John Seidel, owner of Radon Be Gone in Utah. He compared it to the average cost of a mitigation system — about $1,300 — which can be installed to remove the deadly gas from a home.

“That [estimate] includes the concrete work, where we put in a suction pit. It includes the fan that’s usually wired in the attic and discharged through the roof, a performance meter and a post test as well. $1,300 versus cancer, it’s the cheapest insurance you’ll ever have.”

Unfortunately, Seidel is right.

Test Your Home for Radon Gas Today

Sadly, most folks have absolutely no idea it could be prevented with a $10 radon testing kit. Everyone should test their homes for the presence of radon gas, no matter where they live.

It’s a naturally occurring gas that’s produced as a decay product of common elements such as Uranium. Those elements exist in the soil and rock underneath our feet, and our homes. Once produced, the dense gas seeps inside and collects in great amounts. Exposure to elevated levels of the gas can lead to lung cancer, and many other pulmonary health issues.

To put that into perspective — even though we’ve already mentioned it — 21,000 Americans die each year from radon-induced lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US and many countries including Canada, the UK and others. It is more problematic than second hand smoke. If you want to get real technical, it is the single leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. It’s a huge problem, and we all need to be made aware of it.

Have your home tested today. Mrs. Poulsen — and many others — can attest to the fact that you don’t want to be diagnosed with lung cancer, especially when it could have been easily prevented.

Via: Good 4 Utah

Not everything related to radon gas — and its associated dangers — is about doom and gloom. Two second-year students from Ireland have earned a trip to the States to participate alongside other skilled, and young scientists because of their work with radon.

Young Scientists Earn Trip to US for Work with Radon

Image by Niall Murray, Irish Examiner Education Correspondent

Shauna Murphy and Caoimhe Cronin — students of St Mary’s Secondary School in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland — were interested in the dangers of radon gas and so began their work with it. They tested over 40 local homes, and investigated the presence of radon gas in the water supply and soil outdoors.

Their inspiration came from the fact that their hometown Mallow, has some of the world’s highest recorded radon gas levels. Being that radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer the world over, they were intrigued.

They entered their work in January’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Their work and subsequent findings were enough to earn them the Intel Student of Excellence Award, offered for projects in various sections of the event including physics, chemistry and math.

Murphy and Caoimhe found during their studies that high radon levels in the ground and soil outside further indicated elevated levels inside nearby homes. It’s particurly interesting because it works to prove that the gas can seep inside homes from the ground underneath, turning the air hazardous.

Why the Young Scientists Chose to Work with Radon

Caoimhe said that she and her partner intend “to raise awareness locally because people in Mallow don’t all know about the problem.” However, that’s not just true of her hometown in Ireland it’s true of everyone, everywhere. The select few that do know about radon often dismiss it as irrelevant to them, their home and their family. Radon gas is a significant problem everywhere, not just the US and Ireland. It’s also an issue in countries like Canada, UK, China, Russia and many more.

Murphy and Caoimhe will be traveling alongside their science teacher Martin Timmons in May to Pittsburgh, to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Of course, the duo plans to do more testing and studies related to radon before the big trip. They want to bring more information along with them.

What the Two Young Scientists Discovered about Radon

During their study, the girls discovered that nearly two-thirds of homes tested had elevated levels of the deadly gas, in addition to six of the eight rooms at their school. Interestingly enough, their school had a radon barrier installed as part of a renovation over ten years ago.

“There were also radon pumps put in, and the levels went down. But the levels are very high again in some rooms, and we found this could be linked to ventilation,” said Shauna.

As a result, the girls believe that mitigation can be successful, provided proper ventilation procedures are put in place. What this means in the grand scheme, is that these girls could directly influence how professionals install mitigation equipment and radon pumps in the future. Depending on what they find during their studies, it may influence how radon gas is dealt with from now on.

As we have been saying constantly, both girls suggest that homeowners test their homes for the presence of radon to find out whether or not it’s a problem.

We’ll have more on their findings and progress at the fair as soon as May rolls around. For now, we’d like to extend a formal congratulations to miss Shauna Murphy and Caoimhe Cronin for their excellent work. Good job ladies, and good luck at the fair in May!

Via: Irish Examiner