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Why Do Some Areas Have High Radon Levels?

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The United States is one of the countries where a considerable percentage of lung cancer is caused by radon. This is why each state has different laws regarding radon. Not only that, but there are also health and environmental groups which promote awareness regarding radon mitigation. Everyone should know that radon is a cancer-causing gas, and reducing radon levels at home is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone. Besides, you’ll never know if your home has high radon levels or not unless you conduct radon testing. But why is radon higher in some places?

Radon Levels in the United States

There is no particular state that is radon-free. This is because every state is prone to high indoor radon levels since this gas naturally occurs. No wonder you can find it in every state. Although there are slight traces of radon in the atmosphere, everyone should not overlook its existence. Since this gas comes from the soil, rock, and water, you’ll never know if the air you’re exposed to contains high radon levels. Besides, radon levels vary from place to place, so the gravity of your home also varies.

The Possible Sources of Radon

Radon can be found in homes, schools, and workplaces. Several factors can affect how much radon can enter your homes, such as the geographical location of the place, soil type, and the construction techniques used in your house, school, and building. For you to be aware of where radon comes from, here are the possible sources:

Rocks

The rocks found beneath your home can contribute to a large portion of the radon escaping into the house. This is because rocks and stones contain veins of radioactive materials which decay into radon. Know that radon released from rocks outside your home dissipates in the outdoor air. However, the radon in the rocks below your foundation is released directly through the small cracks in your home.

Soil

One of the major radon sources is the soil beneath your home. Radon comes from the decay of radioactive elements, which naturally occur in rocks and stones. Suppose there is radon in the ground below your home, it can pass through cracks, gaps, and porous materials into your home. This is why sealing these areas is a must to prevent radon from entering. When sealing your home, consider the underground basements. 

Well Water

Well water is another source of radon. Suppose you have well water sourced from an aquifer; there is a high probability that it contains the cancer-causing gas because it is in close contact with rocks and soil containing radon.

Some places have high radon levels, while others have small amounts of traces of this gas. But no matter how much radon is there, what matters is to make your home, school, or workplace radon-resistant. Doing so is the only way to ensure that you will not be exposed to the cancer-causing gas. So if you want to reduce the risks of getting lung cancer, make sure to conduct radon testing and consider radon mitigation.

3 Radon Reduction Techniques Recommended by Experts

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Radon is rampant in the United States. It is not questionable since radon is a naturally occurring gas. Although you can find it anywhere, it is still challenging to identify if your home has high radon levels because the gas is inert, colorless, and odorless. The only way to determine if your home is safe from cancer-causing gas is to test your home for radon. If the results of radon tests show that your home has high radon levels, it’s time to apply proven and cost-effective radon reduction techniques.

Why You Should Reduce Radon Now

You can find radon in the atmosphere, but only in trace amounts. This is because it disperses quickly, making it not a health issue. What makes it a primary concern is when a person is exposed to high radon levels. Breathing radon for a long time at high levels can increase your risk of lung cancer. Although exposing yourself to radioactive gas will not kill you right away, it is still a threat to human health.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. This is why no one should overlook the possibility of exposing oneself to radon because most exposures occur inside homes, schools, and workplaces. Meaning no one is safe from the adverse effects of radon unless you make your home radon-resistant. 

You can take specific measures to reduce and control the amount of radon in your home. You can use DIY radon test kits to determine the radon levels, then apply the radon reduction techniques needed. If you want to guarantee the effectiveness of radon reduction, you can hire a licensed radon contractor. Based on the EPA guidance, radon mitigation is necessary if the radon levels are at or above 148 Bq/m3 (4 pCi/L).

Recommended Radon Reduction Techniques

Whether you are just waiting for your home to be built or already living in your dream house, radon mitigation is a must if your home has high radon levels. The following are the recommended radon reduction construction techniques from radon experts:

Heat Recovery Ventilator

Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is one of the most recommended radon reduction techniques that you can do. It is also known as an air-to-air heat exchanger, which can be installed to increase ventilation by introducing outdoor air while using the heated or cooled air being exhausted to warm or cool the incoming air. 

House or Room Pressurization 

Another cost-effective method of reducing radon levels is using a fan to blow air into the basement or living area. Doing so creates enough pressure at the lowest level indoors, which can prevent radon from entering the home. But before you do this, take note that the effectiveness of this technique is limited by several factors, including home construction, climate, and other appliances in the home.

Sealing

Radon can pass through the cracks and other openings in the foundation of your home. Sealing these areas is one of the approaches to radon reduction. When you seal the cracks, you can limit the flow of radon into your home. This is one of the most recommended radon reduction techniques by experts because it is more effective and cost-efficient. Not only that, but it also reduces the loss of conditioned air. 

Radon is a cancer-causing gas; that’s why as a homeowner, you should consider radon mitigation to ensure that you and your family are safe from the gas’s adverse effects. Although there are DIY radon tests and mitigations you can do, it is still advisable to ask for professional help to apply radon reduction techniques. Licensed radon contractors know what to do to make your home radon-resistant.

How Radon Gets Into the House

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Radon can be found in soil, and since it is naturally occurring, no one can prevent its existence. Besides, it can be found anywhere, including your home. This radioactive gas is prevalent in the United States, affecting thousands to millions of households. Although not everyone is aware of its adverse effects, more and more people consider radon mitigation to make a radon-resistant home. If you have never heard of radon before, we’re here to give you a glimpse of its harmful effects. You’ll also learn how this radioactive gas enters your home and what you can do about it.

Radon Mitigation: Why You Should Consider It Now

Lung cancer is no joke because many people have died because of it. According to the World Health Organization, smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Although you are not a smoker, there are still chances that you can acquire it if you are exposed to high radon levels for a long time. The truth is, radon is the second leading cause of cancer next. And if you are a smoker, you are increasing your risks of lung cancer especially if your home has high radon levels.

Since radon is inevitable, it would be best to consider radon mitigation. You may apply quick fixes while waiting for a radon contractor or hire a radon expert immediately once you found out that your home has high radon levels. When it comes to radon mitigation, there are temporary and permanent solutions, and the best one depends on your necessity. If you are creating a radon-resistant home and want to live there as long as possible, the best radon mitigation techniques should be applied.

How Radon Enters Your Home

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium. It is usually found in nearly all soils. This gas moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home. Radon can enter your house through the cracks and other holes in your home’s foundation. This is why any home can experience a radon problem, including new and old houses, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Simple Radon Reduction Techniques

If you want to reduce radon  in your home, here are some radon reduction techniques to consider:

  • Caulking – you can use caulking products to seal entry points in the floors and walls of the home. 
  • Sealing – draft the excluders and rubber seals to seal around doors and other access points in a building. Don’t forget to seal the large cracks and openings in your home.
  • Ventilation – open the windows and vents to ensure that air is flowing throughout the house. If your home has a suspended ground floor and space underneath, make sure to clear the obstruction to improve the ventilation.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas, and it can be found almost everywhere. Therefore, you cannot guarantee that your home is safe from this cancer-causing gas. If you want to reduce the risks of acquiring lung cancer from long-time radon exposure, radon testing and applying radon mitigation should be prioritized.

Symptoms of Radon Poisoning

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Radon is a radioactive gas found in soil that is prevalent in the United States. Since radon is naturally occurring, every household can experience radon problems. Everyone must be aware of this radioactive gas because its adverse effects include increasing one’s risks of lung cancer. The World Health Organization confirmed that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking. WHO also stated that smokers have higher risks of lung cancer if they are also exposed to high radon levels. If you want to keep yourself safe from this cancer-causing gas, it is vital to learn the radon mitigation techniques you can apply to prevent radon poisoning and other problems.

What is Radon Poisoning?

Aside from cancer, radon can also cause radon poisoning. But what is it, and what does it do to your body?

Radon is the end product of radium decay. When large amounts of this gas enter your body, radon poisoning could occur, causing harmful physical changes. Some people experience radon problems without actually knowing it. This is because radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas; therefore, it is challenging to detect the gas using human senses. Although radon poisoning does not cause severe health problems compared to other radioactive substances, long-term radon exposure can lead to the development of lung cancer. 

Radon Poisoning Symptoms

Unless you conduct radon testing, you cannot detect radon at home. So how can you tell if there is radon poisoning? What are its symptoms?

The problem with radon poisoning is it is symptomless. So it’s hard to tell whether you are exposed to radon because it gives no meaningful indication of exposure. Besides being undetectable by human senses, it also does not produce any effects on the body. You’ll only know you’ve got radon problems once it has caused cellular changes to your body and, worse, lead to lung cancer. Therefore, everyone must take all the necessary precautions against radon exposure, especially if you are living in Zone 1 area. In this place, there are higher radon levels compared to other sites. 

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung cancer is not only caused by smoking because long-term exposure to high radon levels can also cause it. That’s why you also have to be familiar with lung cancer symptoms because if you are not a smoker or have never been exposed to smoking and you start to feel the lung cancer symptoms, you need to consult a doctor immediately. Some of the signs you need to remember include coughing up blood, feeling chest pain, and experiencing breathing difficulties.

Radon is very harmful to human health because it can cause radon poisoning and lung cancer. Therefore, it is a must for every home to conduct radon testing to find out the radon levels in the house. This way, homeowners can apply the best mitigation technique to create a radon-resistant home. Since radon mainly accumulates in places where the ventilation is inadequate, it would be best to use radon reduction techniques to improve the ventilation inside your home. You may consider some DIY radon mitigation or entrust the job to a licensed radon contractor.

Can Radon Contaminate Objects?

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More and more people are becoming aware of how dangerous radon is. But it doesn’t stop health organizations from raising awareness about the adverse effects of this cancer-causing gas. Since a long time exposure to high radon levels can damage the cells in your lungs, there is a need for radon mitigation to ensure that every home in the United States is safe for each family. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can enter your home in so many ways, leaving a question to most people, can this radioactive gas contaminate objects? If so, what are its harmful effects?

Radon in the Basement

As stated earlier, radon is naturally occurring. Although you cannot prevent its existence, you can avoid having high radon levels in your home. Since most houses in the United States have basements, homeowners should consider getting these areas tested for radon. Take note that radon can enter through the cracks seen in your floors, especially near the foundation of your home. Besides, basements are places where most homeowners keep the things they don’t often use. If you need these things one day, you might be concerned if radon has contaminated the objects stored in your basements.

If you are concerned about radon contamination in objects, you should not since radon decays quickly into non-noble products. Although the gas attaches itself to tangible things and the decay products sound alarming, radon concentrations at normal levels should not unto themselves be a cause for concern relative to the production of the decay products. Radon in objects is not a primary concern since the gas does not react very well with anything. For instance, when you breathe radon in, most of it gets breathed out without interacting with your lung tissues.

People should not be alarmed only with radon but with its decay products as well. The decay products are called radon progeny, particulates similar to small dust particles that can attach themselves to lung surfaces. These particles deliver a radiation dose from the alpha particles that the radon progeny emits. Most people are afraid of the health risk but it does not come from the gas itself but the progeny that the radon atoms turn into.

Radon Contamination in Objects

Radon can be found in objects, but people should not be afraid of it. If you conduct a radon test in your home and found out high radon levels in one area, it doesn’t mean that there are also high radon levels in the other rooms. What you can see in the objects you think are contaminated are the road progeny, which are like tiny dust particles. According to radon contractors, the amount of radioactivity associated with the progeny particles should not be more than the radioactivity associated with the radon gas parent.

Radon is a dangerous gas, but you should not panic when you find out that your home has high radon levels. This is because there are different ways on how to conduct radon mitigation. There are temporary solutions that you can apply to reduce radon levels. Once you have prepared a budget for more permanent radon reduction techniques, you can call the nearest radon contractor in your state to solve your radon problems.

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How Rain Increases Radon Levels

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Have you ever wondered if the air you breathe is clean and safe enough? Many people think that polluted air refers to the black smoke that you can see in the busy streets, highways, and factories. Little do they know there is a harmful gas which can be found possibly anywhere, especially at home – and that is radon. It is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas given off by soil or rock, and is commonly found in homes in the United States. Radon is a massive supporter of ecological radioactivity.  It is truly undeniable that even if you stay in the house, you can’t be 100% safe. Not only that but there are factors that can cause radon to fluctuate. In this article, learn whether rain increases or decreases radon levels in your home.

Does Rain Cause Radon Fluctuation?

Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer in the US while radon is second on the line. It is considered as one of the most harmful gasses that can be inhaled, which brings to the rising number of people diagnosed with lung cancer. As the number of cases escalates, there is a certainty that radon levels also increase. One of the most common factors of the continuous rise of radon level is the weather. Wind and storms make the most significant factors of high radon levels when testing for radon gas. Rainier days will, in general, bring about recognizably higher radon levels. This is because stormy days are frequently combined with lower barometric pressing factors. 

In most cases, high winds increase radon levels at home. Rain can cause radon gasses to rise from the saturated soil. Throughout the cold weather months, there will be a ton of downpour, snow, and ice. The entirety of this additional dampness can immerse and even freeze the soil. If this occurs, radon can’t typically stream into the air. As a result, radon would then be able to be diverted into your home in higher fixations than expected.

The Importance of Radon  Mitigation

Radon is an exceptionally dense gas, which implies once it enters a home, it can gather in massive amounts over the long run. To prevent the widespread use of radon at home, there is this so-called radon mitigation. This process is used to diminish radon gas in the breathing zones and water supplies of any infrastructures or establishments. It is done through putting proper ventilation to filtrate the indoor air of the building or your home. Because of the high radon level found in every state of the United States, it is better to have your house, building, or any establishments to be tested or be mitigated. 

To ensure good radon mitigation, it is wise to choose a qualified radon contractor. Pick a radon contractor that will fix a radon issue similarly as you would pick somebody to do other home fixes. It is insightful to get more than one estimate so that there will be a reference in what to do or what not to do. It would also be an excellent decision to get a good connection from those already done with the radon mitigation. Also, do not forget to check if the contractor holds a professional proficiency or certificate of credentials that can prove the legitimacy of their work. 

Weather can make radon levels high or low. To stop or prevent the fluctuation, it is the right time to get your house tested for radon and get mitigated by professional and well-trusted radon contractors. Cancer is always one step away from everyone. It is better to prevent than to cure, as they say.

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Are Radon Levels Higher In Vacant Homes?

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Radon is a naturally occurring gas, that’s why you can expect it anywhere, even at your home. Although it is dangerous, there is a specific radon level that is considered harmful to people. When you expose yourself to high radon levels for a long time, the cells in your lungs will be damaged, increasing your risk to lung cancer. If you want to avoid this, it is crucial to create a radon-resistant home. If you are buying a house or relocating to a new one, you must ensure that the house is radon-free by conducting radon testing. This is because you’ll never know if vacant homes have higher radon levels. If you are curious to know, then we’re here to give you the answer.

Radon Levels in Vacant Homes

Most people who are aware of how dangerous radon has the same question in mind. Are radon levels higher in vacant homes? Some homeowners believe that radon is more evident in newly built houses. Therefore, they ask the assistance of professional radon contractors to decrease radon in the place. Others who have abandoned their home for a long time also worry if cancer-causing gas is more evident after leaving it for months or years. Before we answer the question, there are several things that you need to know when it comes to radon entry. The following will help you understand how radon enters your home and answer your question of whether leaving the house vacant for a certain period can elevate radon levels.

Radon enters your home through cracks or openings in your house’s foundation. 

Whether your home is vacant or not, radon can still enter because it passes through the cracks or opening of your house’s foundation unless you have applied radon mitigation techniques. Aside from this, the differences in air pressure between the inside of a building and the soil around it can also contribute to radon entry.

Your home exchanges its air every 6-8 hours. 

According to professional radon contractors, the air in your house circulates, and it exchanges its air every 6-8 hours. Meaning, if there are high radon levels, there is a possibility that it will be reduced. This could happen through natural convection and air circulation with your HVAC system. However, it is still essential to ensure that the house was built with radon reduction techniques to remove your worries regarding high radon levels.

Leaving your windows open for a long time contributes to radon entry.

Radon experts say that unless you can have every window open when in a home, open windows can create a more significant stack effect that pulls more radon gas into your house. So make sure to improve your home’s ventilation, so you don’t have to open your windows for a long time.

Radon is indeed dangerous because it brings adverse health effects. But since it is naturally occurring, what homeowners can do is to apply radon mitigation techniques. Although there are DIYs that you can follow, it is still best to ask for radon experts’ help; doing so quill guarantee that your home is safe from high radon levels even if you leave it vacant for a long time.

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Radon Testing: Is It Necessary When Buying A Home?

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Are you planning to buy your dream house soon? If you are purchasing a ready-to-move-in home, you probably know that there are many things to consider. Aside from the house’s location and its price, you also need to test it for radon. Some buyers are unaware that radon testing is significant, especially if you are relocating to a new house. In this article, find out why it is necessary to test your home for radon and what kind of radon testing is recommended.

Radon: What Is It?

Radon is a radioactive gas. Since it occurs naturally, you can find it anywhere, including your home, school, and even in the workplace. The worst thing about radon is it can cause lung cancer. According to the World Health Organization, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. If your home has radon, it doesn’t mean that you’ll acquire lung cancer right away. Exposing yourself to high radon levels for a long time can damage the cells in your lungs, which can lead to lung cancer.

Why Testing Your Home For Radon Is A Must

High radon levels are dangerous because they can cause lung cancer. Although there is no strong evidence that radon can also cause other health conditions, still, it is vital to have a radon-resistant home. When buying a house. It is critical to conduct radon testing to assess the radon levels of your new place. Once you have the results, you can plan for the best radon reduction technique to create a radon-resistant home.

There are two types of radon testing, short-term and long-term. Both are helpful, but they should be done correctly to get the most accurate results. Although there are DIY radon testing that you can do, hiring a professional radon corrector is highly recommended. When looking for a radon contractor, make sure they have a license to conduct radon testing. Having a license means they are legal to operate, and they are knowledgeable when it comes to radon mitigation.

Which Radon Testing Is Highly Recommended?

Radin testing can be short-term or long-term, and the better one depends on what you want to achieve. For instance, short-term radon testing is recommended if you only want to know if radon exists in the house you are about to buy. If the results say there are high radon levels, you need to ask the contractor about the best radon reduction technique that can be applied to your home. Once you have bought the house, long-term radon testing is a must so that you can monitor whether radon is reduced or not. 

Radon is a harmful radioactive gas because of its adverse effects. The only way to combat it is to apply the radon reduction technique to ensure you have a radon-resistant home. But before you do radon mitigation, you need to conduct radon testing first to identify the radon levels in your area. So before you buy a house, make sure you test it for radon to keep your family safe from the cancer-causing gas.

radon levels

Why Do Radon Levels Fluctuate?

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Radon testing is one of the first things you need to do if you want to reduce the radon levels at your home. This process is crucial because it is the only way you can tell whether your home has high radon levels or not. You can plan on the best radon reduction techniques that will help you create a radon-resistant home through the results. However, radon testing should not only be done once because radon levels fluctuate. Meaning, radon increases or decreases depending on several factors. Why do radon levels fluctuate, and what should you do about it? Find the answers here.

The Rise and Fall of Radon Levels

Radon naturally occurs everywhere, and it is constantly changing. It can be hourly, daily, or seasonal, depending on the factors that affect its fluctuation. Radon is a cancer-causing gas, and it seeks a lower pressure area. This is why it moves from the soil to the air. It flows faster, especially if there is a big difference between the high and low air pressure. Aside from air pressure, the weather is one of the common factors that affect the radon levels at your home. The changes in weather events such as severe storms and high winds can increase or decrease radon. Take a look at the following how weather factors can cause radon fluctuation:

High winds

High winds can either create high pressure or low pressure in your home. But most of the time, high winds increase radon levels.

Rain or storm

Rain or storms can bring in lower pressure air around your home. As mentioned, radon likes lower pressure, causing it to “flow” from the soil to the air even faster than normal. If there is heavy rainfall, the ground will become more saturated with water. As a result, radon will find a path through the soil outside the home.

Snow, ice, and cold temperature

If there is cold weather, you tend to open the heater to make your home warmer. The problem is that heaters pull more radon through the building, causing radon levels to rise. With cold weather, hot air rises, and if this escapes your home, there would be new air that needs to enter your home, which usually comes from the soil.

Radon Testing: Short Term or Long Term?

It is normal for radon to fluctuate because several factors cause it. If so, what should you do? One of the best things to do is to test your home for radon to apply the radon reduction techniques that will lower the levels of the cancer-causing gas. You can follow some DIY radon reduction techniques or ask a professional radon contractor to do the work. When considering radon tests, you need to decide whether to opt for short-term or long-term radon testing.

Short-term radon testing is recommended if you want to have a quick check if there are high radon levels in your home right now. With these tests, you can take action to decrease the radon levels. However, long-term radon testing is still needed to monitor radon levels in your home and ensure you are safe from the adverse effects of radon.

Radon is everywhere, and you can’t tell whether you are safe from it or not. That’s why radon testing is a must for you to create a radon-resistant home, keeping your family and loved ones safe from cancer-causing gas. Short-term radon tests can help you, but it is a long-term radon test that can help you monitor radon levels in your home.

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Radon and Basements: What You Should Know

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Radon is present in every home, wherever state you are living right now. Since radon levels vary from house to house, it is crucial to test your home for radon. This is because it is the only way to find out whether your house has high radon levels or not. Besides, no matter what the result is, it is crucial to aim for a radon-resistant home because it is the only thing that guarantees low risks of lung cancer. Suppose you are considering doing a radon test; which area should you prioritize? If you don’t know the answer, we’re here to explain everything you need to know about radon and basements.

The Truth About Radon and Basements

Some homeowners overlook the basements when testing their homes for radon. Little do they know that these areas are prone to high radon levels. You might ask, “What causes high radon levels in the basements?” Know that radon comes from decaying Uranium, found in rock and soil beneath the foundation of your home. Since the basement is under your house, it is one of the main entry points of the cancer-causing gas. It is crucial to keep your basements radon-free because it might pose dangers to you and your family’s health. 

Radon and basements are linked to each other because the gas enters via parts of the basement, especially when exposed to earth like sump wells and drains. Radon can also enter through the naturally porous concrete foundation of the basement. Not only that, but certain conditions inside your basement can contribute to the radon level. For instance, when the pressure inside your basement varies from the pressure outside, more air is drawn forcefully between the high and low-pressure areas. As such, more air from the rock and soil beneath your home create high radon levels.

How to Prevent Radon From Basements

There are several radon reduction techniques that you can do to lower radon levels in your basements, such as:

  1. Install, replace, or seal the sump well cover to reduce your radon levels. Doing so closes up an exposed area of the earth with direct access into your basement.
  3. If the weather is nice out, make sure to open your windows and doors to allow radon gas to dissipate with the fresh air.
  4. When extreme high and low temperatures are present, consider cooling or heating your house as little as possible. This way, you can reduce the pressure increase from the drastic indoor/outdoor temperature change.

Radon is a harmful gas, and the problem with it is you cannot see or even smell it. Besides, radon levels from one area to another, that’s why it is crucial to conduct radon testing, especially in your basement. Radon and basements are related because you can find this gas in the said area. Make sure to follow the tips above to make your basement and every area in your home radon-free.