5 questions about radon

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on February 24, 2011 at 12:00 AM
BobLewis.JPGView full sizeRobert Lewis

NAME: Robert K. Lewis
TITLE: Program manager, radon division
COMPANY: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Q: What is radon gas, and how does it get into homes?

A: Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas, arising from the breakdown of uranium that is found distributed in the soil and rocks of the earth’s crust.

Pennsylvania is particularly prone to radon problems compared with much of the rest of the country. This is due to our geology and soil characteristics.

Because radon is a gas and chemically inert, it is easily able to migrate from the soil, through foundations and into one’s house. There are always numerous openings and penetrations in all foundation types to allow the radon gas to move from the soil into the home. Examples of these might be sump holes, floor drains, floor-wall separations, cracks and dirt crawl spaces. Additionally, the house acts like a vacuum cleaner on the soil, drawing soil gas into the home. This is due to the fact that warm air in homes rise and this creates a slight negative pressure in the basement space.

Q: Why should homeowners be concerned about radon levels? What are the health risks?

A: Homeowners should be concerned about radon gas exposure because they could be breathing elevated levels of this radioactive gas into their lungs.

Most all of us know that radiation can cause an increased risk of lung cancer. This is a well-established fact. Most lung cancer deaths occur in smokers. But the federal Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that about 21,000 lung cancer deaths occur annually in the U.S. due to long-term exposure to radon. This makes radon exposure the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

Q: How can homeowners test for radon?

A: Testing is easy and inexpensive, and the only way to know if you have a radon problem. There are two ways to get a radon test performed — do it yourself or hire a radon testing company.

To do it yourself, find a test kit at one of the home centers, hardware stores or one of the certified laboratories which you can find on the Radon Division website. Once you have the test kit, follow the directions.

You can also hire a professional to do the testing for you. They can be found on the website above.

Q: Do homeowners also need to worry about radon in water?

A: Radon in water can be a concern, but much less so than radon in air. The primary concern is for those on private wells or possibly those on a community well.

DEP recommends that you test your radon in air first, then if you find a problem and you are on a well, test the water also. Call the Radon Division at 800-237-2366 for advice on radon in water.

Q: What can be done to lower radon levels in the home?

A: If your home radon test result is over 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), both the EPA and DEP recommend you mitigate the house to reduce the radon concentration.

Years of experience have shown that sub-slab ventilation systems are the most effective and efficient means of reducing radon levels in your home. These systems generally need to be installed by a certified radon mitigator, but homeowners who are handy can do it themselves.

The cost of an installed system may range from $800 to $1,200. The systems are long-lasting and almost entirely maintenance free.
