Radon Gas

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and very dangerous gas. Radon gas is created from the radioactive decay of uranium and radium in our soil.  Radon is a natural source of radiation, which can be very harmful to adults, children, and pets.  Radon gas seeps into our homes through any crack it can find.  Once inside, radon disperses throughout our homes sometimes rising to dangerous, cancer-causing, levels.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States behind smoking and the leading cause for non-smokers.

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Testing is the only way to know if a home levels of radon are high, but there is no known safe level of exposure.  That sounds a little scary so here are some numbers from the EPA to help clarify:

• ​Requires EPA attention:         4 pCi/L
• EPA recommends mitigation: 2 pCi/L
• National indoor average:      1.3 pCi/L
• National outdoor average:      .4 pCi/L

​We are exposed to trace amounts of radon everyday.  Once radon concentrations reach 2pCi/L the EPA suggests mitigation.  In some areas, the local radon office reports 1 in 4 homes with levels above 4 pCi/L. In general higher levels of radon have a strong negative impact on indoor air quality.

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The gas seeps through any access point into a home.  Common entry points are cracks in the foundation, poorly sealed pipes, drainage, or any other loose point.  Once in the home, the gas can collect in certain areas especially basements and other low lying, closed areas and build up over time to dangerous levels. As we, and our furry, scaly, and feathery friends are exposed to the gas over a period of years, the gas can have significant, and deadly effects.