Tag Archives: radon

The Health Concerns of Radon

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Have you ever wondered why there are people who get lung cancer even if they are nonsmokers? Aside from second-hand smoking, other factors can lead to this disease. The worst thing about it is you cannot see, touch, or even smell it. This invisible enemy that can damage your lungs and affect your healthy body is radon, one of the radioactive gases. The World Health Organization considered radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer; that’s why people need to be careful about it. In this article, learn more about the health concerns of radon and what preventive measures you can do at home to avoid this cancer-causing gas.

What Radon Can Do to Your Body

Some people lack understanding about the adverse effects of radon. They don’t know how dangerous this radioactive gas is. Know that radon is everywhere, it can be at your home, school, or even in the workplace. Some areas might have high radon levels, while others might have small traces of it. That’s why radon testing is necessary because it helps you identify the radon levels in the places you have tested for this gas. Suppose there are high radon levels; what can it do to your body?

According to a 2019 study, Health Effects of Radon Exposure, it is scientifically proven that radon exposure can cause lung cancer. That’s why mass media and related experts need to communicate accurate information to the general public. This way, people will have access to the necessary information they need to combat the cancer-causing gas.

Even the United States Environmental Protection Agency states that although radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, it is the number one cause among nonsmokers. It has been responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year, and almost 3,000 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked in their lives. To advise the general public on the health concerns of radonm health experts have issued a national health advisory on this radioactive gas.

Why Radon is More Dangerous to Smokers

Smokers have a high risk of lung cancer and make the risk higher when exposed to high radon levels. According to the EPA, this is because of the synergistic effects of radon and smoking. For instance, about 62 people in a 1,000 will die of lung cancer, compared to 7.3 people in 1,000 for never smokers. But a person who never smoked who is exposed to 1.3 pCi/L has a 2 in 1,000 chance of lung cancer. On the other hand, a smoker has a 20 in 1,000 chance of dying from lung cancer.

Radon Reduction Techniques

Suppose you have conducted radon testing and you found out that there are high radon levels in your home; here are some radon reduction techniques to consider:


1. Crack sealing – When you seal the cracks, you limit the flow of radon into your home, which makes other radon reduction techniques more effective and cost-efficient.

2. House or room pressurization – This method requires a fan to blow air into the basement or living area. Doing so creates enough pressure at the lowest level indoors.

3. HRV – A heat recovery ventilator, also known as the air-to-air heat exchanger, can increase ventilation, reducing the radon levels in your home.

4. Natural ventilation – You may open your windows, doors, and vents on the lower floors to increase the ventilation in your home.

Radon is a harmful radioactive gas that takes the lives of many people, both smokers, and nonsmokers. If you want to lower your risks of lung cancer and avoid the other health concerns of radon, you need to act immediately and ensure that your home is free from this cancer-causing gas. You may follow the radon reduction techniques mentioned here or hire a professional radon contractor to help you.

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What to Do If Radon Levels are High

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Radon levels determine the amount of radon present in your home. The safest radon level is zero, but it is pretty challenging to keep it at zero level unless your home was built with radon reduction construction techniques since it is naturally occurring. Besides, radon levels may vary from time to time, so it is recommended to test your home for radon. And if the radon levels are high, you need to reduce them as soon as possible. In this article, learn some radon reduction strategies that can provide both short-term and long-term benefits.

Radon Testing

One of the first things you need to do before doing any radon reduction technique is radon testing. Doing so allows you to tell if your home has high radon levels. There are several ways to test your home for radon, including short-term and long-term testing. Suppose you are in a hurry; you can measure radon for two to three days. For a short-term test, it is recommended to keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible. This way, you can avoid the fans from bringing air from outside. You may use the following devices for short term radon testing:

  • alpha-track detectors
  • charcoal canisters
  • charcoal liquid scintillation detectors
  • continuous monitors
  • electret ion chambers

Since radon levels might change from day to day or month to month, it would be best to opt for long-term radon testing. This is because, according to radon experts, you’ll get the most accurate results from this kind of test. Long-term radon testing measures radon levels for more than 90 days, including alpha-track and electret ion chamber detectors.

Radon Reduction Techniques

Once you have completed a radon test, it’s time to assess whether your home has high radon levels or not. And suppose the level is high, here are some radon reduction techniques that you can do.


1. Create a gas-permeable layer that is beneath the slab or flooring. Doing so allows the radioactive gas to move under your house. However, this technique only works if you have a basement or slab foundation.

2. Install a plastic sheeting that goes on top of the gas-permeable layer under the slab. With this technique, you can prevent radon from entering your home.

3. Install a soil suction radon reduction system. It is also called a vent pipe and fan system. With this radon reduction technique, you can keep the gas from accumulating inside your home.

4. Seal and caulk the foundation cracks and openings. Doing so helps reduce the amount of radon entering your home.

If you test your home for radon and the radon levels are high, it is recommended to try the above techniques and see if they will work for your home. If you find it challenging to fix the radon issues, you may hire a radon contractor. The EPA recommends that you have to hire a qualified radon mitigation contractor to improve your home because it may need a radon mitigation system installed. You may contact your state radon office for a list of licensed radon mitigation professionals in your area.

Radon Levels: What Do They Mean?

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There could be many times when you have heard how dangerous radon is. But some of you may not know what radon level is considered hazardous. Although it is indeed better to make every home radon-free, some establishments with high radon levels may not be able to become radon-resistant instantly. But it is essential to target radon levels that are tolerable and safer. But what do radon levels mean? How are they measured, and which radon level is considered safe? Find out all the answers here.

What are Radon Levels?

Radon levels refer to the amount of radon present in your home, school, or office. You can determine them with a radon test. There are several ways on how to test an area for radon. Knowing radon levels is important because it is one of the vital steps to plan on how to reduce them. As mentioned, zero radon level is the safest, but suppose your home has high radon levels, the first thing to do is to lower it.

Which Radon Level is Tolerable?

Since radon is a naturally occurring gas, you’ll never know whether your area will be forever radon-free. That’s why radon testing is recommended every six months. The average global outdoor radon level may vary between 5-15 Bq/m3. This is also equal to 0.135-0.405 pCi/L. It only means that for every 99.9 Bq/m3, or every 2.7 pCI/L, you are increasing lung cancer risk to 16%. According to the World Health Organization, the generally accepted action level is 100 Bq/m3, or 2.7 pCi/L. If your home has high radon levels, it is advised to take remedial action to reduce the radon levels. WHO also suggests an upper limit that should not be exceeded at 300 Bq/m3 or eight pCi/L.

How Do You Decrease Radon Levels?

Suppose you have tested your home for radon and you found out that there are high radon levels; here are the things you can do:

  • Consider sealing the cracks and other openings in the foundation. This is one of the basic approaches you can do for radon reduction. Doing so limits the flow of radon into your home. By sealing the cracks and openings, other radon reduction techniques become more effective.
  • Get a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV). This is also called an air-to-air heat exchanger, which you can install to increase ventilation. Doing so reduces the radon levels in your home.
  • Perform house or room pressurization. This radon reduction technique uses a fan to blow air into the basement. It can also be done in the living area from either upstairs or outdoors. With this technique, you are creating enough pressure at the lowest level indoors.

Measuring radon levels is one of the critical steps to prevent anyone from having cancer caused by radioactive gas. Since radon is the second leading cause of cancer, making a radon-resistant home is a must. There are different ways to lower the radon levels at home, school, or office. You may call the nearest certified radon contractor in your area if you need to apply some radon reduction techniques in your establishments. It would be better to target zero radon levels but if your home has high radon levels, what matters most is to reduce them step by step.

How to Protect Your Family From Radon

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As parents, the love for your family is incomparable, no matter how hard the situation gets. That’s why you do everything to protect your loved ones, most especially your children. But sometimes, it is not a person that can hurt them. Little do some parents know that there is an invisible enemy that families face every day, and that is radon. This radioactive gas cannot be seen and touched. You can’t even smell or taste it, making this enemy hard to find. What makes radon an enemy is it can cause cancer, and according to the World Health Organization, it is the second to the leading cause of the deadly disease. If you want to protect your family from radon, learning some tips to decrease radon levels at home is crucial.

4 Radon Reduction Tips

Consider the following steps to protect your family from radon:

  1. If you are newlywed, or your family decides to move to a new city, there’s a high chance that you will buy a new home. Whether you are purchasing a new house or selling your home, the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you test it for radon. This way, you can identify the radon levels and assess whether your home has high radon levels or not. Once you know the level, you can plan on the next steps to lower it.
  2. When buying a new one, ask the relator if it is already tested for radon. If not, follow the first tip. You may also ask what radon-resistant construction features have been used.
  3. Once the radon test result has arrived, and the radon level is four picocuries per liter, or pCi/L, or higher, make sure to ask your contractor to apply radon-resistant features to your home. Doing this may require you to spend money, but it is one way to protect your family from radon. It would be better to have radon-resistant homes because radon levels less than four pCi/L still pose a risk.
  4. It would be best to discourage any member of your family from smoking because it significantly increases the risk of lung cancer from radon. If it can not be avoided, make sure not to smoke indoors to prevent secondhand smoking’s adverse effects.
  5. Make sure to open the windows and use the fans and vents to improve air ventilation. Though natural ventilation is a temporary strategy, it can still help in radon reduction.

The existence of radon may seem inevitable, but you can prevent its level from increasing. By following the tips above and applying the precautionary measure, you can prevent yourself and your family from inhaling this cancer-causing gas. Not only can you keep yourself away from this radioactive gas, but you can also protect your family from radon. Besides your home, make sure that where you work or where your children study is also safe. You may address the issues once you find out that your place or your children’s school has high radon levels. Remember, cancer is a deadly disease, and you can reduce your risks by lowering the radon levels in the places where you and your family stay most of the time.

13 Radon Mitigation Techniques

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Radon is literally everywhere. You can find it at home and in the workplace. The worst part is that radon is also found at schools. This alarms parents and teachers because they can affect the children who are more vulnerable to diseases. Although there are several methods in getting rid of radon, it is indeed challenging to fight something that people cannot see. Remember that radon is a cancer-causing gas that cannot be seen, smelled, or touched. And the only way to determine whether this radioactive gas is present is through radon testing.

Radon Testing vs. Radon Mitigation

If you are dealing with radon, you might have encountered terms like testing and mitigation. Although they might look similar in definitions, these terms are different. Radon testing refers to the process of testing an area whether it has radon or not. Radon test kits and radon detectors are used to determine if the radioactive gas is present in your home, school, or workplace. The price of each radon test kit and radon detector varies considering the brand and quality.

On the other hand, radon mitigation refers to any process of removing the concentrated radon levels in domestic and commercial properties. Since radon is a dense gas, it can enter your home, classrooms, and offices without you knowing it. The worst part is this gas can collect in large quantities over time. Therefore, homeowners, school authorities, and employers need to choose any effective radon mitigation techniques to ensure that every home, school, and workplace is radon-free.

13 Radon Mitigation Techniques

To make every home, classroom, or office radon-free, radon testing is necessary. This process will determine whether the radon level in the area is acceptable or not. Even if the radon level is low, it would be better to aim for a radon-free environment. Besides, you can perform several radon mitigation techniques, including the following:

  1. Block wall suction – 50 to 99 percent
  2. Drain tile suction – 50 to 99 percent
  3. Heat recovery ventilation – N/A
  4. Home pressurization – 50 to 99 percent
  5. Natural ventilation – N/A
  6. Natural ventilation (crawlspace) – 0 to 50 percent
  7. Passive sub-slab suction – 30 to 70 percent
  8. Private well water aeration – 95 to 99 percent
  9. Private well water granular carbon (GAC) – 85 to 99 percent
  10. Seal radon entry locations – N/A
  11. Submembrane depressurization (crawlspace) – 50 to 99 percent
  12. Sub-slab suction – 50 to 99 percent
  13. Sump hole suction – 50 to 99 percent

You can talk to the radon experts so that they can tell you which of the listed mitigation techniques will work best on your domestic or commercial property. The best strategy in radon reduction is something that works best for long-term mitigation goals. Choosing the right mitigation technique can help you save more money.

Radon Mitigation: DIY vs. Radon Professional

When it comes to the radon mitigation techniques discussed earlier, you could be wondering whether to do them yourself or hire a certified radon professional. The truth is you can choose any of them and perform DIY mitigation. Many companies out there sell DIY radon mitigation kits, allowing you to use them without the need to hire a licensed radon contractor.

However, if you want to ensure that the radon mitigation technique you have chosen will work best, you may consider hiring certified radon mitigation professional. This is because radon professionals are experts when it comes to reducing radon levels. No matter which technique you want to do for your domestic or commercial property, they can assist you with installing equipment or materials that will make your rooms radon-free.

Identifying your home, school, or office’s radon level is the first step in achieving a radon-free environment. Therefore, you need to conduct accurate radon testing so that you can choose which radon mitigation technique to use. No matter what strategy you pick, what matters most is to reduce the radon level and, better, make the area radon-free.

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Radon in the Workplace: Everything You Should Know

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Last time, you’ve learned that radon can be present anywhere, including homes and schools. But aside from these places, there could also be radon in the workplace. No matter how aesthetically pleasing a building is, you’ll never know you are safe from the cancer-causing gas without conducting a radon test. In this article, you’ll learn everything you should know about radon exposures in the workplace – what to do if there are high radon levels, and safety precautions you can apply to minimize the risks of radon exposures.

Radon in the Workplace: An Alarming Issue

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It can be present even indoors, such as in homes, schools, and workplaces. Knowing that radon levels are higher indoors than outdoors poses health risks to human lives. Based on WHO research, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. What’s worse is that people who smoke are more vulnerable to lung cancer when exposed to radon. 

WHO stated that the lower the radon level is in homes, the lower the risk of getting lung cancer. This is also applicable to workplaces. Therefore, https://radonresources.com/what-is-radon/ business owners and employees should aim to have a radon-free work environment. Doing so guarantees a cleaner and safer workplace, minimizing the health risks of radon exposure. Since radon concentrations are higher indoors, business owners and employees should impose strategies on how to lower radon levels and, if possible, make every workplace radon-free.

Reducing the Risks From Radon Exposure in the Workplace

Business owners and employees can be safe in the workplace by implementing regulations about radon. Several things can help in minimizing the health risks from radon in the workplace. Take a look at the tips below:

Be informed.

Provide the employees all information regarding radon levels in the workplace and their associated health risks. This way, everyone will be aware of the risk and perform safety precautions to minimize the adverse effects.

Create a radon program.

Implement a radon program that aims to reduce the individual’s risks to high radon concentrations. Every company should prioritize the safety of its employees.

Survey the workplace.

If you are a business owner planning to build a company, you need to have a physical survey of the location. This is applicable whether you are having a building from scratch or renting a workspace. Survey the workplace as well as the materials and equipment to be used. Determine the radon level and see if they pose health risks or not. If possible, try to make the work environment radon-free.

Conduct radon testing.

Develop radon measurement protocols that will help in keeping the quality and consistency of radon testing. Companies should prepare radon test kits that will be used in identifying the radon levels. Authorities can compare radon test kits and see which of them works the best. It would be best to use the same test kits because using different ones might affect the results.

Improve the ventilation system.

Radon levels vary from workplace to workplace. But no matter what the radon level is, it is essential to keep it as low and safe as possible. One thing that you can do to lower radon levels is by improving the ventilation system. This can be done by ventilating the crawlspace passively or actively, with the use of a fan.

Radon in the workplace is somehow prevalent not only in the United States but also in other countries. It is inevitable since radon is present anywhere. However, there are certain things that you can do to avoid its adverse effects. Considering the tips mentioned above can help you lower your chances of being exposed to the cancer-causing gas. Radon in the workplace can be prevented; that’s why business owners and employees should work hand in hand to create a safer and radon-free work environment.

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Radon in Schools: Should Radon Testing Be Required?

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Radon is a dangerous gas because it can cause cancer and other respiratory diseases. The worst thing about it is it cannot be seen or touched, making it hard for people to identify whether it is present in a place. Not only that, but radon levels are higher indoors than outdoors. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that every building is radon free to avoid getting lung cancer. Parents, teachers, and other authorized persons need to ensure that there is no radon in schools. As such, radon testing should be required to guarantee the safety of the children.

Radon in the United States

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), radon is present everywhere in the United States. However, the level of this radioactive gas differs from state to state. Since radon is everywhere, there could be radon in schools, universities, and other academic places where your children go. NCSL also stated that radon is exceptionally high in Iowa and North Dakota. Suppose you are moving into another city or state, consider areas where there are low radon levels. You may check this radon map from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

In case that you need to live in places where there are high radon levels, you need to ensure that the house, whether it will be built from scratch or ready to live in, has zero radon. There are construction techniques and strategies that you can apply to make your home radon free. You may also check the state laws regarding radon both in homes and schools. Worry not because states have addressed the radon issues by creating legislation.

Radon in Schools

If you check the legislation, most are addressed for real estate and homes. What about radon in schools? Are there specific laws to address the issues of this harmful gas to schools and universities? Many people believe that radon testing should be required in schools. This way, proper precautionary measures will be conducted to decrease the radon levels, primarily if it is found out that a school has high radon levels. Parents would feel better knowing that their children are not exposed to this cancer-causing gas.

Review of the State Laws and Regulations Regarding Radon in Schools

A research published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information website conducted a review regarding state laws and regulations. They examine the regulations and statutes of each US state related to radon in schools. They have used the following terms to identify the key features and assess if there are discrepancies among states:

  • Radon
  • School
  • Mitigation
  • Certification
  • Licensing
  • Radon-resistant new construction

The study found out that the state regulations related to testing, mitigation, and public dissemination of radon levels in schools are inconsistent. As a result, there is a lack of a national indoor radon policy for schools. This is alarming since it may result in unacceptably high radon exposure levels in schools. The study concluded the following:

Conclusion

  • Schools could be a dangerous place for kids, especially if there are high radon levels. Children go to school for years to complete their studies; increasing their radon exposure may lead to severe health conditions and worse, cancer.
  • Since there is currently no enforceable Federal limit for radon levels in schools, it led to disparate state regulations related to the testing, mitigation, and public dissemination of radon levels. Not only that but appropriate state funds when mitigation is also needed.
  • A federally mandated maximum radon limit should be established for schools and other buildings with public access. This is possible if states work with the USEPA to develop state-specific radon test plans. It is recommended that USEPA offers standardized online radon testing training courses and materials for school employees to reduce state costs. As such, it can improve the consistency, accuracy, and reproducibility of the test results.

The cost of radon testing and applying the construction techniques and hiring a licensed radon contractor are some of the challenges why radon testing is not required in schools. But the government should not overlook radon in schools knowing that kids spend years in these places to finish their studies. Even if there are no strict laws regarding radon in schools, the school authority and concerned parents can initiate the move to make each school radon free. This way, radon exposure will be prevented, and the risk of lung cancer will be decreased.

What Radon Level is Considered Safe?

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Radon is a cancer-causing gas. As more and more people become aware of this fact, many homeowners are getting their homes tested for this radioactive gas. Why? A radon test is a vital step in determining the radon level in the house. Since radon cannot be seen, specific methods should be done to identify whether it exists in the location or not. With radon testing, every homeowner can determine whether they need to decrease the radon level. But what level is considered safe?

Safe Level of Radon Gas

If you ask what the safe level of radon is, the answer would be zero. Meaning, the safest level is the level where there is no radon. Is it possible? Yes, especially if your home has a lower radon level since specific methods can be applied to reduce it to zero. If your home has zero radon gas level, it only means that you have the lowest risk of getting lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, unless you or someone in the family is a smoker.

Why is there a need to make an effort to reduce radon levels? It is because indoor exposure provides a higher dose of radon exposure to humans. Meaning, you will acquire more harmful particles when you are inside your home than you are outside. The level of radon you breathe depends on the geographic location of your house. This level could be as high as 0.75 pCi/L.

On the other hand, the national average for outside radon levels is 0.4 pCi/L. It is estimated that radon levels found outdoors have caused approximately 800 of the 21,000 radon-induced lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year. Know that your risk of lung cancer increases as you expose yourself to higher radon levels. If you are a smoker or someone in the family who smokes, the chance of acquiring lung cancer becomes higher due to the combined effect of smoking and radon.

Acceptable Level of Radon Gas

Some homeowners find it challenging to make their homes free from radon gas. That’s why the Radon Act 51 set the natural outdoor level for this radioactive gas. It means that although it is not the safest, this range is an acceptable radon level. The target for indoor radon levels is 0.4 pCi/L. If the radon level in your house exceeds the recommended level, it’s time to take corrective measures.

Radon is a harmful radioactive gas. Don’t let your loved ones be exposed to this cancer-causing gas. What can you do? Make sure to get your home tested for radon to determine the radon level. Identify whether the level is acceptable and safe for you and your family. If not, it’s time to call a radon contractor to apply the methods in reducing the radon level in your home. Remember that no matter how high the radon level is, it can be fixed as long as the right methods are used.

Where is Radon Found?

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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.

silhouette of two men building a house

4 Construction Techniques to Build A Radon-Resistant Home

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When building a house, homeowners consider several things. Among these is how huge the building would be, how many bedrooms the structure can accommodate, where to place the kitchen area, and many more. Sometimes, environmental concerns are not prioritized. Homeowners should pay more attention to creating a safe home and environment rather than the structure’s aesthetics. To ensure that the air you will breathe at home is safe, building a radon-resistant home is essential.

How Radon Is Produced

For those who have never heard of what radon is, know that it is a kind of radioactive gas that comes from the soil. This gas is produced through the uranium breakdown that is present in most rocks and soil. As radon breaks down, it emits atomic particles that are incorporated in the air people breathe, posing risks to human health. Once a person is exposed to radon, it can increase the risk of respiratory diseases such as lung cancer.

The radon indoors is more harmful than the radioactive gas that you can find outside the home. It is because this chemical is diluted in the open air, but it could stay indoors. Radon can build up to dangerous levels at home, mainly if this gas is not eradicated. If a person inhales radon, its particles’ energy can change the DNA cell, increasing the risks of lung cancer.

How Radon Enters Your Home

The radioactive gas enters the house through the little openings and cracks in the foundation. It is where creating a radon-resistant home takes a vital role. If the house structure blocks this chemical, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are safe from inhaling this harmful chemical. If the house is not radon-resistant, then there’s a higher chance of having this toxic chemical inside the building.

The air pressure between the inside of a building and the soil surrounding it also plays a significant role in radon entry. For instance, radon will remain outside if the house’s air pressure is greater than the ground beneath it. If the air pressure of the building is lower than its surrounding soil, the radon gas will enter the home. It is essential to keep the pressure inside the house higher than the soil because if not, the building will act like a vacuum that sucks all the radon.

Things to Consider Before Building A Radon-Resistant Home

architect designing a house

Before you talk to your builder and design a radon-resistant home, it is crucial to find the best location. Remember, radon comes from the soil; that’s why an area’s geology is a significant factor when building a house. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborated with state and federal geologists to design maps that can predict every region’s potential radon levels. 

The areas in the maps are labeled from Zone 1 to Zone 3. Zone 1 refers to places where the radon is potentially high. Meanwhile, Zone 3 consists of areas where radioactive gas is potentially low. It doesn’t mean that you cannot build houses in Zone 1 sites. If you are planning to construct a building there, you can include a radon control system. It is more affordable to add it to the total costs while building it rather than install the system after the house is built.

Here’s a map that can help you identify if your new house will be built in any of the three zones.

Radon-Resistant Home: Construction Tips and Techniques

You don’t need to be an expert in house building to create a radon-resistant home. Know that creating a radon-resistant house sometimes has simple techniques that are familiar to builders. Following the simple methods are sufficient enough to deter radon from entering the building. Here are some strategies to consider:

Install a layer of clean gravel or place it beneath the flooring system.

Place a four-inch layer of clean and coarse gravel below the foundation (slab). This layer allows radon and other soil gases to move freely underneath the house, creating an airflow layer or gas-permeable layer. If the gravel is too expensive or unnecessary in your area, you may consider perforated pipe and collection mat as alternatives.

Place polyethylene sheeting on top of the gravel layer.

Another technique to consider is installing a heavy-duty plastic sheeting or a vapor retarder on top of the gravel. Doing so prevents the radioactive gas from entering your home. Aside from that, it also keeps the concrete from clogging the gravel layer, especially when the slab is poured.

Install a gas-tight venting pipe starting from the gravel layer through the building to the roof.

You may install a three-inch or four-inch reliable PVC Schedule 40 pipe vertically from the gravel layer through the house’s conditioned space and roof. Doing so will help in safely venting the radon and other soil gases outside the home.

Ensure that the foundation is thoroughly sealed and caulked.

Make sure that all the cracks and little openings in the concrete foundation floor and walls are sealed and caulked. If so, the harmful soil gases will be prevented from entering your home.

Passive Radon System vs Active Radon System

These techniques make up a passive radon system. Sometimes, these construction techniques are enough to replace the vacuum effect that most houses experience. The passive radon system blocks the radon from entering by creating a pressure barrier. However, there could be instances when the passive radon system is not enough to prevent radon entry. If this is the case, an active radon system is recommended. 

An active radon system is done by installing a fan that pulls the radon gas from the soil into the vent pipe. The radioactive gas is then exhausted outside the house. You can talk to your builder about which of the active to passive radon systems would work best for your home. As radon experts, they can help you identify which construction techniques can be applied in building the house, keeping you and your family safe from the radioactive gas.

As someone who plans to build a house, you must consider several factors to ensure that the building is safe from harmful gases like radon. You may talk to your builder and design a home using radon-resistant construction techniques. If the passive radon system is not enough, you may consider the active radon system. No matter what you use, what matters most is the safety of your family. Therefore, make sure that you will have a radon-resistant home.