What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring
cancer causing, radioactive gas you can't see, smell or taste.
Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year.
That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get
lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is
the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.
Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your
home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially
high.
Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in
soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe.
Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of
building - homes, offices, and schools - and build up to high
levels. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest
exposure at home. That's where you spend most of your time.
You should test for radon.
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk
from radon. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all
homes below the third floor for radon. The EPA also recommends
testing in schools.
Testing is inexpensive and easy - it should only take a few minutes
of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes
for radon.
High radon levels can be reduced.
The EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home's indoor
radon levels if your radon test result is 4 pCi/L or higher. It is
preferable to correct a radon problem before placing your home on
the market because then you have more time to address a radon
problem. If elevated levels are found during the real estate
transaction, the buyer and seller should discuss the timing and
costs of the radon reduction, as with any other aspect of the home
purchase and sale.
Where Does Radon Come From?
- Occurs naturally by the decay of
uranium in rock and soil.
- Uranium is widely found in trace
amounts in soil and rocks.
- Radon in soil and rocks under and
adjacent to buildings migrates through foundations,
cracks and small openings and concentrates inside
buildings.
