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Radon is a radioactive gas emitted naturally from the ground. And exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths each year in the United States, contributing to lung cancer’s status as the #1 cancer killer.
What do you do if your radon level is high?
If a radon test reveals high levels—anything above 4 pCi/L—ask for a walk-through with an EPA-licensed radon remediation specialist. You can find one through your state radon office. Most will provide a free remediation estimate, and, if the work is done, guarantee that radon levels will be acceptable.
Is it OK to live in a house with radon?
If you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Over time, these radioactive particles increase the risk of lung cancer. It may take years before health problems appear. People who smoke and are exposed to radon are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer.
Is it safe to buy a house with high radon levels?
Radon can seep into any home that is in contact with the ground. It is undetectable unless you perform a radon test. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and according to the EPA and CDC, it kills more than 20,000 annually. It is not something you want in the home you are buying.
What causes high levels of radon in a house?
CAUSES OF RADON IN YOUR HOME: CRACKS AND GAPS Coupled with any cracks in the foundation and gaps in your flooring and around pipes, and radon has easy access to your home. A DIY solution is filling in every crack and gap with caulk to limit radon’s access to your living space.
How do you fix high radon in a basement?
Active subslab suction — also called subslab depressurization — is the most common and usually the most reliable radon reduction method. One or more suction pipes are inserted through the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil underneath. They also may be inserted below the concrete slab from outside the home.
How much does it cost to fix a radon problem?
How much does a radon mitigation system cost to install? The cost of a radon system depends on a number of factors, including the layout and foundation of your house. The average radon system costs between $800 to $2000 — sometimes less, sometimes more, depending on the house.
Can radon affect dogs?
Many pets spend on average 90-95% of their time inside. You may not know that your pet has radon poisoning until they start showing cancer-related symptoms, such as fever, abnormal swellings, coughing and lack of appetite, excessive throwing up, lameness, and breathing difficulties.
Does opening windows reduce radon?
Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open. Homes tend to have lower air pressure than their surroundings, which draws radon into the basement.
WHO recommended radon levels?
Based on recently completed research, the World Health Organization is recommending that homeowners take action to remediate the radon level in their home if it exceeds 100 becquerels (Bq), which corresponds to 2.7 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
Is radon a deal breaker?
So what is radon gas? You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but radon gas is a leading cause of lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, the presence of radon in your home doesn’t have to be a deal breaker.
How long does it take for radon to affect you?
Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop. Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include: persistent cough.
How long does it take a radon mitigation system to work?
A typical radon mitigation system is installed within a day, depending on various factors. Occasionally, more complex installations may take 2 or more days.
What are the first signs of radon poisoning?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning. Persistent cough. Hoarseness. Wheezing. Shortness of breath. Coughing up blood. Chest pain. Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Loss of appetite.
Should I be worried about radon?
Radon Is a Cancer‑Causing, Radioactive Gas But it still may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.
Which homes are more likely to have a radon problem?
Exposure to radon can be especially high for people who use their basements as a living space. Like basements, homes with slab-on-grade foundations have many openings that allow radon to enter. Homes with crawl spaces (vented and sealed) can also have elevated radon levels.
Does finishing a basement reduce radon?
Radon Gas Problems in Basements You may want to reduce the radon level to a minimum just to protect your family’s health, particularly, if the children spend lots of time in the finished basement. Before basement remodeling, seal the concrete with RadonSeal™ to reduce radon to a minimum and to keep it that way.
Is radon only a problem in basements?
Basements aren’t the only place you can find radon. This is a common assumption since radon is most commonly found in basements. Unfortunately, it’s also very wrong. Radon gas can be found anywhere in any home, not just in the basement.
Can a radon fan be installed in a basement?
A radon fan must be installed in a non-livable area of the house. This cannot be a basement or crawl-space area!! A radon fan may be installed in a garage, house attic, or outside the house. The radon fan’s exhaust pipe must be run to a minimum height of 10′ from the ground.
