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Everything You Need to Know About Radon 222

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Radon causes thousands to millions of deaths. That’s why people should know how to mitigate it. But before you learn some mitigation techniques, it is vital to understand what radon is, how it can enter your home, and what effects it brings to your body. When you read articles about this radioactive gas, you might come across the term radon 222. What is it? Is it the same with radon? Find out all the answers here.

Radon 222: What is It?

Radon, radon 222, or Rn-222 refer to the same thing. Whether you prefer to call it radon 222 or radon, they refer to the colorless and odorless gas produced during the decay of radium-226. It is also a decay product of uranium-238. Since it is made naturally, expect to find it anywhere, especially in soil and water.

Radon 222 has a short half-life which is approximately 3.8 days. It decays into a series of solid particulate products. These products are also known as radon progeny or radon daughters, which have shorter half-lives (∼30 min or less). Although other radon isotopes occur naturally, their health significance is minimal compared to radon 222. This is because of the differences in half-life and dosimetry.

How Does Radon 222 Enter Your Home?

Since radon is a gas, it can quickly enter your home through the building’s cracks and openings. Know that its primary source is the soil and rock beneath a building, from which the gas penetrates indoors. That’s why installing a radon mitigation system is highly recommended, especially in the basement, to reduce radon. But this is preferred if your home is tested for radon and the result shows a consistent high radon level.

Aside from soil, other sources of radon include drain and utility access areas. Not only that, but radon can also come from groundwater, especially in areas with high soil radium content. Since radon comes in many places, you’ll never know if you are exposed to high radon levels unless you conduct radon testing. 

If you are living in European countries, radon concentrations range from ∼30 to 140 Bq m−3. Meanwhile, in Russia, radon levels could vary between 19 and 230 Bq m−3. If you are living in the United States, average levels are around 50 Bq m−3. 

Radon Mitigation

If you suspect that your home has high radon levels, you can confirm it through radon testing. There are two types of radon testing, short-term and long-term. Short-term radon testing is preferred if you want to identify whether radon 222 is present in your home or not. But if you want to know if the radon level is consistently high, long-term testing is recommended.

In the United States, the highest acceptable level of residential radon is 150 Bq m−. The US EPA has set this. However, 5–10% of homes in the United States exceed this benchmark. If your home has high radon levels, it would be best to contact a radon contractor to mitigate the gas right away.

Exposing yourself to radon will not harm you right away; it is still best to prevent any short-term and long-term effects. Besides, if you haven’t tested your home for radon yet, you’ll never know if you are already exposed to radon 222 for a long time. So make sure to consider radon testing and do the proper mitigation techniques to lower your risks of lung cancer.

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10 US States With the Highest Radon Levels

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Radon has been one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States. Some people overlook it, but little do they know that this radioactive material has been affecting thousands to millions of lives every day. Though it doesn’t affect you right away, it can cause lung damage as time passes by. The problem is, you cannot detect it using any of your senses; that’s why radon testing is a must. If you think mitigating this silent killer is not essential, you might need to reconsider, especially if you live in one of the states with the highest radon level.

Radon: A Silent Killer

Some people still think that radon can be easily detected. Others believe that this gas smells like rotten eggs. However, this is only a myth because you cannot see radon using your five senses. This gas is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, but its damage to your health ranges from mild to severe, depending on how much radon you expose yourself to. Radon is a silent killer; that’s why learning more about how you can eliminate it is crucial to you and your family.

States With Highest Radon Level

Radon is prevalent in the United States. Although there are states with the highest radon levels, it doesn’t mean that you are safe if you don’t live in these places. Radon is a naturally occurring gas; therefore, you can find it anywhere. Besides, it is usually high in the basement at home since it enters through the foundation’s cracks and sealings. Living in a place where there is high radon can increase your risk of radon exposure, so if you live in the following states, call a licensed radon contractor to ask for the best radon mitigation system.

Here are the 10 US states with the highest radon levels:

  • Alaska (10.7)
  • South Dakota (9.6)
  • Pennsylvania (8.6)
  • Ohio (7.8)
  • Washington (7.5)
  • Kentucky (7.4)
  • Montana (7.4)
  • Idaho (7.3)
  • Colorado (6.8)
  • Iowa (6.1)

Based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency data, there are 1 in 3 homes checked in seven states that had high radon levels. This means the gas exceeded the recommended action level for radon exposure which is four pCi/L. Take note that the PCI in “pCi/L” is a picocurie. It is one trillionth of a curie and measures the rate of radioactive decay of radon. 

According to Air Chek, Inc, although the states listed earlier have high radon levels, it doesn’t mean that others have low levels. 31 states have radon exposure above four pCi/L. When you check the places, they are located in the northern half of the United States. 

If you are curious which states have low radon levels, they are as follow:

  • Arizona
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Hawaii
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi

Radon is a hazardous gas since it can cause damage to your lungs. Although radon exposure doesn’t kill you right away, this radioactive material still poses some health risks. If you live in the US states with the highest radon level, it is time to take the right actions to mitigate radon. Ensure to contact a licensed radon contractor from your state to install a radon mitigation system in your home.

Are Child Care Centers Tested for Radon?

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As parents, aside from your child’s growth, their safety is also your top priority. You want to provide them with a home that is free from any risk. But as they grow older, their surroundings change. It is no longer just your home. You bring them to parks and child care centers. Therefore, it is necessary to know if these places are making an effort to keep your kids away from danger. One of which is by undergoing radon testing.

One of the first places where you bring your kids is child care centers. These facilities are not different from your homes and workplaces. They are susceptible to having high radon levels because of the indoor setting. To give you more idea of these child care centers, here are some facts and why they should do a radon test.

What are Child Care Centers?

Child care is the act of looking after the kids while their parents are away. It is familiar to children below 18 years of age. You can choose from different types depending on what is the most comfortable for you. Family child care homes, preschool programs, school-age programs, family, friend and neighbor care, and child care centers. 

Family child care homes and family, friend, and neighbor care are often done in residential buildings to differentiate the types further. At the same time, preschool programs and school-age programs are offered when your kids are about to go schooling or are already attending one. Lastly, child care centers are the ones that are situated in commercial buildings.

Are child care centers important?

Compared to the child care in residential buildings, child care centers are more prominent in scale. They are supporting more children. They have additional adults to supervise the kids. Grouping the kids according to their age helps them to attend to all of their needs. They teach them how to socialize with others and give them emotional support.

Why Should Child Care Centers Get Tested for Radon?

Child care centers are often located on the lower floors of the building. It is easier for kids to access them and much safer than the higher floors. However, it is more prone to accumulating radon which is why they need to have radon testing. 

Radon is a natural gas that can be dangerous to the human body. It comes from the decay of uranium. It seeps in the cracks of walls and foundation joints. This gas travels from the bottom going to the top. If it gets trapped inside a building, the people inside will get exposed to it and develop health complications. If adults are affected by it, the children are not exempted. They are more vulnerable.

Children are vulnerable.

Children have developing lungs that make them more sensitive to pollutants. They breathe faster, which makes the chances even higher. Aside from radon, pollutants like the smoke from tobacco also contribute to developing lung cancer.  In addition, lung cancer is not the only illness that kids can get when exposed to radon. They can have childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as well.

Nonetheless, local authorities have regulations when it comes to these child care centers. Some of them are required to get licensed. They are inspected for health and safety compliance. There are guidelines regarding how and when to get a radon test. When signing up your kids, you may want to check if they have passed these qualifications to ease your worries.

The environment where the kids learn is a significant factor in their overall well-being. Learning should be fun for kids. It should be free from stress and harm. Just like other schools and learning facilities, child care centers should also do radon testing. It is good to know that the establishments where your children are staying are free from radon. It will not only keep you from being anxious but also keep them in good health.

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The Benefits of Hiring A Licensed Radon Contractor

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Radon mitigation is crucial because it is one way to ensure that your home is safe from radon, a cancer-causing gas. There are simple and even Do-It-Yourself radon mitigation techniques that you can do at home. However, you cannot guarantee their effectiveness because not all are true to their claims. If you are aiming for a radon-resistant home, it is recommended to hire a licensed radon contractor.

When Should You Consider Radon Mitigation?

Radon fluctuates from different periods; that’s why it is essential to monitor the radon levels. This way, you can assess whether you have high or low radon levels. When considering radon mitigation, the first thing you need to do is get your home tested for radon. There are two kinds of radon testing, the first one is short-term, and the other is long-term. It would be best to consider long-term radon testing because it can help you assess the levels better.

The question is, when should you install radon mitigation at your home? It would be best to do it as soon as possible. That’s why you have to test your home for radon to see the results. Though there are some DIY techniques, it is better to hire a radon contractor from your state. Make sure that the one you are hiring has a license to operate.

3 Benefits of Hiring A Licensed Radon Contractor

Hiring a radon contractor might be more expensive than doing some DIY radon mitigation techniques. However, the benefits are advantageous once you entrust the work to a licensed professional. The following are just some of the benefits that you can enjoy when you consider a licensed radon contractor:

Get guaranteed professional services.

If a radon contractor shows his/her license, it can keep your worries away because it only means that that contractor is an expert for the job. It’s not that easy to acquire a license because it requires contractors to become knowledgeable about radon mitigation. If a radon contractor has a license, you can minimize the risk of having unprofessional services.

Save more time and cost.

Hiring a radon contractor without a license will not guarantee you professional services. You’ll never know if he/she has received enough training or if the contractor is an expert in the field. Suppose you have hired an unlicensed contractor; you might need to repeat the process if a problem occurs.

Tailor the services.

If you don’t have enough budget for the radon mitigation system, you can ask the contractor how you can do it step by step. You may start first by monitoring the radon levels before installing the mitigation system right away.

Hiring a licensed radon contractor may sound more expensive, but the truth is, all the contractors’ fees are worth it. This is because you can get the most out of what you’ll pay to them. Aside from getting guaranteed professional services, you can save more time and money because you don’t have to redo the work. So if you want to install a radon mitigation system, trust no one but the experts.

10 States With the Lowest Radon Levels

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When renting or buying a home, one thing that most homeowners consider is the safety of the family. Usually, they think of the neighborhood as well as the security features of the house. As homeowners, you also need to consider the indoors because certain things may pose dangers to your family’s health, including radon. If you are planning to relocate, you may consider the American states with the lowest radon levels.

Understanding Radon Levels

Before discovering which states have low radon levels, it is essential to understand what radon level is, how it is measured, and what is considered safe. First and foremost, have a background of what radon is.

As most of you already know, radon is a naturally occurring gas that can cause cancer. It is detected through the process of radon testing. Short-term tests are conducted to identify the existence of this gas. Meanwhile, long-term tests are recommended for continuous monitoring of radon levels. 

Radon in houses varies because this gas fluctuates. Meaning, even if it is high today, it can be low tomorrow or in other months. That’s why long-term radon testing is necessary because it can help you assess whether you need to install radon mitigation right away.

What is Radon Level Considered Safe?

If you wonder what radon level is considered safe, the best answer is to have no radon. Though it may seem impossible to have a radon-resistant home, there are different ways to lower the level little by little. All you need to do is conduct the right tests and hire a licensed radon contractor to install the proper mitigation system. For homes that cannot achieve zero levels, acceptable radon levels pose lower risks of lung cancer.

Did you know that outside your home, the radon levels in the air could be as high as 0.75 pCi/L? It exceeds the national average of outside radon levels, which is 0.4 pCi/L. If you are exposed to this, especially for a long time, your risk of lung cancer increases. If your home exceeds that national average, it’s time to call a radon contractor from your state.

States With Lowest Radon Levels

Are you planning to move to a new house? If you are still searching for a place to go, here are some states to consider:

  • Hawaii (0)
  • Louisiana (1.1)
  • Mississippi (1.2) 
  • Florida(1.8)
  • Arizona (1.9)
  • Texas (2.1)
  • California (2.3)
  • Georgia (2.3)
  • Delaware (2.4)
  • South Carolina (2.4)

Of all the American states, Hawaii topped the list in the states with the lowest radon levels. It is followed by Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Arizona, which go the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th rankings.

Some homeowners overlook the significance of ensuring a radon-resistant home. Radon may not sound like a serious problem, but the daggers it could bring can threaten human lives. So if you want your family to be safe, make sure to consider radon mitigation to achieve a radon-resistant home.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Radon

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If you are a new resident in the United States, probably, you haven’t heard about radon issues in homes. Although radon can be found anywhere, this radioactive gas is rampant in the US. According to the World Health Organization, radon is the second-leading cause of cancer, next to smoking. As such, you need to learn the radon reduction technique that you can install in your home to avoid radon exposure. If you lack knowledge about the cancer-causing gas, listed below are the frequently asked questions about radon.

Frequently Asked Questions About Radon, Radon Testing, and More!

The following are the basic things you need to learn about radon, radon testing, and radon mitigation:

What is radon?

Radon is a kind of radioactive gas. It forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater. You can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing it in the air. Radon enters your home through the cracks and gaps; that’s why it is crucial to make your home radon-free to avoid being exposed to this cancer-causing gas.

Where does it come from?

Radon-222 is considered the decay product of radium-226. Together with its parent, radium-226, they are both part of the long decay chain for uranium-238. Uranium can be seen everywhere, so expect radium-226 and radon-222 to be present in almost all rock, soil, and water. Although the amount of radon varies from house to house, it is essential to ensure that your home is radon-free. 

Since radon fluctuates, you’ll never know when radon is high or low. This gas can range from a few hundred to several thousand pCi/L (picocuries per liter) in air. Several factors can cause radon fluctuation, including weather, soil porosity, soil moisture, and the suction within the house.

How does radon get into your home?

Usually, radon moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home. As mentioned, it enters your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. When your home traps radon inside, this gas can build up over the years. One of the frequently asked questions about radon is if any home can have a radon problem. The answer is yes, including new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Should you test your home for radon?

Some homeowners overlook the importance of radon testing. It is essential to understand that radon testing is a must because it helps you identify whether radon is present or not in your home. There are two types of radon testing; short-term and long-term. 

Short-term tests are done first to check the presence of the cancer-causing gas. But it should not stop there. Long-term radon testing should be considered to determine the radon levels in your home. Once you find out that radon is consistently high, radon mitigation is a must.

How much can radon mitigation cost?

One of the most frequently asked questions about radon is how much does the mitigation cost. The cost of installing a radon mitigation system varies depending on several factors. Some people find it expensive while others believe radon mitigation has a reasonable price considering the installation and contractors’ fee. If you want a cheaper option, you may opt for simple techniques or DIY radon mitigation. But if you’re going to ensure that radon mitigation is installed correctly, hiring licensed contractors is highly recommended.

Radon is a dangerous gas; unfortunately, not many people are aware of it. If you know someone clueless about the adverse effects of radon, it’s time to teach your loved ones about what radon is and what you can do to avoid it. Take time to read the frequently asked questions about radon to learn more about this radioactive gas.

Radon Reduction: How to Get Radon Out of Your House

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Since radon is in the form of gas, it can quickly enter your home through your house’s foundation. It can also pass through the cracks and sealings of your home. Therefore, you need to think of the most effective ways to prevent radon entry. There are simple radon reduction techniques that you can follow, but if the radon level in your home is too high, it would be best to call for radon experts’ advice.

It All Starts With Radon Testing

Whether you think your home has radon or not, it is still recommended to conduct radon testing. Why? If you believe your home is radon-free, you can use radon testing to prove it. With the test results, you can identify the presence of the said radioactive material. If you think your house has radon, you can check its level, thus helping you address the issue through the proper radon reduction techniques. 

Radon testing has two types, short-term and long-term. It would be best to do both since each of them has its purpose. The first one is to identify the presence of radon in your home, while the latter is to monitor the gas level continuously. Since radon fluctuates, you cannot tell when the radon level is high; that is why long-term testing is vital.

5 Radon Reduction Techniques to Try at Home

If the result of radon test tells you that your home is positive for the radioactive gas, then it’s time to try the following techniques at home. Some of these can be done by yourself, while others require professional assistance.

Install special traps in the basement floor drains.

If you place traps in the basement floor drains, you can prevent the water from draining from entering the basement. This technique is also known as a backflow restrictor or a one-way valve.

Seal the tops of concrete blocks.

Concrete block walls or CMUs refers to the hollow which provides an open path from the ground/footing to the ceiling or roof system. It is vital to seal these tops using concrete to reduce radon. Know that doing so could be challenging, but you can stuff the open section with newspaper as a stopper, down about 3 inches from the top and filled with concrete to seal them off.

Hire a licensed radon contractor.

You can find DIY radon reduction techniques which apply to your home. But if a professional advise you to install a mitigation system that requires professional assistance, make sure to hire a licensed radon contractor. This way, you can ensure that the mitigation system will be installed properly.

Install a sealed cover over your sump pump.

Some homeowners often observe that the sump pump has two entry points. This includes one from the footing drain, and the other one is under the slab drain. Both of these areas can collect radon gases from the ground, so make sure to cover the sealing lid used to seal around the exit pipe.

Seal all cracks in your basement.

Radon is usually high in the basement because this gas can be found in soil. To get rid of this gas, you need to seal the cracks along the basement perimeter walls. Also, consider the following areas:

  • around posts through concrete
  • chimney
  • cracks in the concrete floor
  • floor drain
  • main electrical entry point
  • main plumbing pipe entry point
  • sump pump cover

Radon is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States. That’s why the World Health Organization, together with other health and environmental groups, encourage everyone to make each home radon-free. This is possible through radon reduction techniques which homeowners can do. If you need any help, you can contact the radon expert from your state.

Is Radon An Indoor Air Pollutant?

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As the world progresses through modern technology, more and more environmental problems occur. Among the adverse effects that you can see nowadays is air pollution. Smokes from burning materials and factories are some of the outdoor pollutants. But have you ever heard of indoor air pollutants? Is radon one of them?

Radon: The Silent Indoor Air Pollutant

Probably you have heard the term radon so many times. But can you recall what it is? Why is it considered a dangerous gas? Does it cause poisoning to humans?

If you try to remember, radon is a colorless and odorless gas. You cannot tell if you are exposed to it because you cannot see it with the naked eye. This is why you need to conduct radon testing if you want to ensure a radon-resistant home. Through the process, you can tell if your home has high radon levels.

Radon can quickly enter through the cracks and openings in your home, particularly in the basements. But why? This is because the gas has a high density, no wonder it is often found in the basements where there are lots of shales and boulders in the soil. Radon is considered an indoor air pollutant and is regarded as a hazardous gas.

Radon is the result of the radioactive decay of radium in the soil. It can produce radioactive daughters such as lead and polonium as the material further decays. Together with other decay products, it can attach to the airborne particles, making alpha and beta radiation. This radiation is harmful since it can cause lung cancer.

Should You Install A Radon Mitigation System?

If you conduct radon testing and your home becomes positive to radon, what should you do? Should you immediately install a radon mitigation system?

Having a radon mitigation system is essential, especially for your home that has high radon levels. However, it would be best to ask a licensed radon contractor first. Why? This is because radon fluctuates. It can be high or low, depending on some factors. If you do short-term testing, the radon level can be high. But at some point, it can be low.

What should you do if radon fluctuates in your home? It would be best to conduct long-term radon testing because it can help you determine the radon levels in your home over a long period. This way, you can tell if the level is consistently high or not. If the level is high, that’s the time to consider a radon mitigation system.

Radon’s Health Effects

The problem with indoor air pollutants is they can cause damage to your lungs once you inhale them. As mentioned before, radon is a significant source of indoor air pollution. According to the World Health Organization, it has been causing tens of thousands of deaths annually in the United States and Europe. To avoid any health risks, radon mitigation is a must.

Radon is a very harmful gas and once your home has high levels of it, make sure to contact your state’s professional radon contractors. This way, you can plan for radon mitigation and use the best technique to reduce radon levels in your home.

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When To Test Your Home for Radon

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Radon, a cancer-causing gas, fluctuates in different periods. This is why it’s hard to detect whether a specific area in your home has high or low radon levels. If you conduct short-term radon testing, you can tell if the radioactive gas exists. If the result says radon is present, it doesn’t mean you need to install radon mitigation right away. This is because radon increases and decreases, so you need to monitor the levels first. The problem is, when should you get your home tested for radon?

Radon Problems and What You Should Do About Them

Radon is rampant in the United States. Although some people are aware of the significance of radon mitigation, others are still clueless about it. They lack awareness of the dangers of this radioactive gas and what it can do to one’s health. Radon is cancerous, and this is the biggest problem that it brings to humans. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness of how dangerous radon is and what actions are needed to eradicate it.

Radon can cause cancer.

Although the World Health Organization recognized radon as the second-leading cause of lung cancer, individuals are still not concerned about it. They believe that it will not harm you right away. It might be accurate, but some people are very sensitive; that’s why they experience short-term adverse effects.

Even if radon cannot cause death right away, it is still vital to reduce radon levels at home. Since it is colorless and tasteless, you’ll never know how long you are exposed to it. So it would be best to get your home tested for radon, monitor the levels, and take necessary actions to mitigate it.

When is the Best Time to Get Your Home Tested for Radon?

The best time to test your home for radon is now. This is because radon is present during winter, summer, spring, or fall. But if you want to follow a specific schedule, it would be best to do it in winter. Since most homes and buildings are tightly sealed to avoid extreme cold, it is also an opportunity to trap the radon inside. Winter is the best time because you can see radon at its worst. You can tell the radon levels to your state’s radon contractor to address the issues.

Radon testing is one of the first steps to address radon problems. Winter is an ideal time to get your home tested for radon. But it would be best to do it as soon as possible to check the existence of this radioactive gas. This way, you can take necessary actions once you find out that your home has high radon levels. As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure.

Can A Geiger Counter Detect Radon?

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Radon, which is considered a cancer-causing gas, is a decay product of uranium. This radioactive material is present in the soil and water; that’s why it naturally occurs everywhere. Since radon is a gas, it can move and enter your home, affecting the air quality you and your family breathe. Although it doesn’t cause adverse effects right away, long-term exposure can increase your risk of lung cancer. That’s why detecting radon through radon testing or using a Geiger counter is recommended.

Short-Term and Long-Term Radon Testing

Radon mitigation starts by identifying whether the gases are present in the area or not. This is why homeowners hire licensed radon contractors to perform radon testing. It has two types—short-term and long-term testing. The first one is used to determine the presence of radon gas. Long-term testing helps people monitor radon levels which is essential since the gas fluctuates at different times.

What is A Geiger Counter?

When testing your home for radon, you can use DIY radon test kits or a Geiger counter. The latter is also called a Geiger-Muller tube or a G-M counter which was named after Hans Geiger. Geiger is a German scientist whose work focused on detecting radiation in the early 1900s. In the 1920s, Walter Mueller, a graduate Ph.D. student of Geiger’s, perfected the gas-sealed detector. This is why he also received credit for his work, hence the name Geiger-Mueller tube.

The Geiger counter is an instrument that you can use to detect radiation. This device is handy since humans cannot see radon using any of their five senses. Since the Geiger counter can detect ionization, you can also use it for radon mitigation. Besides, many people like the Geiger counter because it is one of the least expensive electronic devices to tell you if there is radiation around you.

How Does A Geiger Counter Works?

Probably, you are wondering how a Geiger counter works. This device has two main parts: a sealed tube or chamber filled with gas, and the other one is an information display. When radiation enters the tube and collides with the gas, it pushes an electron away from the gas atom. As such, an ion pair is created. The wire in the middle of the tube attracts electrons which make other ion pairs. This sends a current through the wire. 

The current sent through the wire goes to the information display, causing the needle across a scale to move or make a number display on a screen. This allows the device to provide “counts per minute,” or the number of ion pairs created every 60 seconds. If you turn the loudspeaker on, it clicks every time an ion pair is made. You can identify the number of clicks in the Geiger counter chamber, which tells how much radiation enters the device.

If you want to hear a clicking sound using the Geiger counter, you need to turn on the speaker. You can always hear a clicking sound since there is always some radiation in the background. Some of the radiation naturally comes from the sun, uranium in the soil, radon, particular rock, plants, and even food.

You can use different devices to detect radon, and one of them is a Geiger counter. Although some people doubt its accuracy, there are still homeowners who use this device to count how much radiation is present in homes. If you want professional radon mitigation, hiring a licensed radon contractor from your state is ideal.