Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. What makes it more harmful is that you cannot see, smell, or taste it. Therefore, it is challenging to know where is radon found unless you perform home testing. Whether you are buying a ready-built home or planning to build one from scratch, it is crucial to determine whether the location is radon-free or not. If your home has high radon levels, it’s time to consider applying the measures to decrease the amount of this radioactive gas. Testing your home for radon is one of the first steps to help you achieve a radon-free home.

Why EPA Recommends Testing Your Home for Radon

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), your risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases increases when you regularly breathe air containing radon. Based on the US Surgeon General report, this radioactive gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. That’s why there is a need for every homeowner to ensure that their home is radon-free. The only way to do it is to conduct testing for radon.

Either you are buying a home or selling your house, it is highly recommended to check the place’s radon level. The EPA and Surgeon General suggest that all homes starting from the third floor below should be tested for radon. Homeowners should not worry if the building shows high radon levels because there are several ways to fix it. Know that no matter how high the radon level is, it can be reduced to acceptable levels, making your home safe for you and your loved ones.

Where is Radon Found? Watch Out For This Cancer-Causing Gas

As mentioned, it is hard to tell where is radon found because you cannot see nor smell it. Identifying where you can usually find radon can help you avoid this gas. Know that radon is considered a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is naturally produced from uranium’s radioactive decay, which is commonly found in all rock types and soil. You can also find this cancer-causing gas in water.

How does radon cause lung cancer? When radon decays, it escapes from the ground into the air. As a result, it produces radioactive particles that combine in the air you breathe. Once you breathe the radioactive particles, they are deposited on the cells that line the airways. The particles can damages the DNA, increasing the risks of lung cancer. Radon found outdoors is less dangerous compared to radon indoors. It is because this gas quickly dilutes outdoors, leaving low concentrations. 

The average radon level found outdoors varies between 5–15 Bq/m3. The problem is that radon concentrations are higher indoors. According to the World Health Organization, the highest radon levels are found in places like caves, mines, and water treatment facilities. On the other hand, the radon levels in homes, schools, and offices range from 10 Bq/m3 to more than 10 000 Bq/m3.

Why You Should Test Your Home for Radon

Should you test your home for radon? Definitely, especially if you don’t want to increase your risk of lung cancer. Here are some reasons why home testing for radon is necessary:

Radon causes lung cancer, more likely in people who smoke.

According to WHO, radon causes between 3-14% of all lung cancers in a country. The percentage depends on the average radon level and the smoking prevalence in the country. Based on the reports, the increased rate of lung cancer was first observed in uranium miners exposed to high radon levels. There are still high risks to lung cancer in China, Europe, and North America despite the low concentrations of the said radioactive gas.

Radon exposure is highest at homes

Radon can be found indoors and outdoors. But the greatest exposure to this radioactive gas occurs at home. Radon concentration depends on the following:

• the amount of uranium found in underlying rocks and soils
• the rate of exchange between indoor and outdoor air
• the routes of radon passage from the ground into the home

Therefore, there is a need to reduce radon in homes since this radioactive gas can enter homes through gaps around pipes, cracks in the floors, floor-wall junctions, and small pores in hollow-block walls. As you can see, there are many places where radon is found.

Where is radon found? You can find it in soil and water, both indoors and outdoors. As stated earlier, the radon level is higher indoors; that’s why homeowners should pay attention to making their homes radon-free. There are different ways on how to lower radon-level. But before you ask your contractor to apply the techniques to decrease radon levels, it is crucial to test your home for radon. It is challenging to determine whether your home is radon-free or not without proper testing. So make sure to call the radon experts today and get a free radon quote. It is one way to ensure that your home is safe for everyone.