Straight answers to key questions about radon
Ten years ago, media hype created panic and skepticism over the potential risks and consequences of radon. Two things are now clear from better research: Lung cancer can be caused by elevated levels of radon for a prolonged period of time. There are effective ways to lower these levels.
Although there are still questions about the exposure time and how much, homeownership is a reality. Many states require mitigation of radon for new construction and most residential real estate transactions will require radon testing in Edmonton. This article will show you how to determine if your home has high levels of radon and what you can do about it.
What is the deal with radon?
What causes radon gas and what is it?
Radon, which is radioactive and colorless, is produced from the decay of uranium. Radon is found in almost all soils. Very low levels of Radon gas can be found in the air we inhale every day.
Why is Radon a Problem?
Radon gas can enter your home and get trapped. Lung cancer can result from long-term exposure to high levels radon.
How does radon gas enter a home?
Radon gas is a gas that moves from soil to a home. While radon can seep through concrete pores, it is most likely to enter a home through gaps in walls or floors. Raised levels of radon can be found in any house, regardless of age or condition. It all depends on how your house interacts with its surroundings. You may see a significant difference in the radon levels of your neighbor.
Short-term radon tester
This charcoal canister is a short-term test that will determine if you need to do more thorough testing.
The test should be conducted in the lowest livable space of your home that is used regularly 8-10 hours per week.
Short-term radon tests
To determine if further testing may be necessary, short-term tests can be useful. These tests are usually activated charcoal-based, or electret Ion and measure radon levels for between two and seven days. For the lab to receive the results, you must mail the tests. You can get short-term tests at your local hardware store, online retailer or home center.
Long-term radon tests
Long-term tests measure levels from 90 days to one years. Many tests, like the AccuStar test in the photo above, use alpha particle tracking. This gives you a better indicator of the average annual level in your home. Since levels can fluctuate significantly from day-to-day and month to month, this is dependent on factors like a drop in pressure, gusty wind, soil moisture, snow cover, which traps and releases radon gasses.
Online retailers and state radon agencies can conduct long-term radon testing.
Continuous radon tests
You can plug in an electric monitor, such as the Safety Siren Pro Series digital-meter shown in the photo. These monitors are great for short- and long-term testing. They also give you a running average. They are equipped with an ionization chamber that continuously samples the air. You might consider sharing the costs and monitor with your neighbors.
When should you take action
If the initial test registered 4 picoCuries/liter (pCi/L), or more, the EPA recommends that you do a second test. The best information will be obtained from a long-term test, however, a shorter test can be acceptable if the results are urgently needed, for example, for real estate transactions or if your first levels were 8 pCi/L.
Consider taking steps to lower radon levels in the home if a second test shows a reading above 4 pCi/L.
How to lower radon levels
These simple repairs can help reduce levels of radon gas. Although these efforts rarely result in significant reductions in radon gas levels, if the level is not too high, they might be worth it. These repairs will make other radon-reduction methods more efficient and cost-effective.
After you have dealt with these issues, test again. If the levels remain high, you can either hire a professional or install a radon mitigation device yourself.
A Radon Mitigation System is DIY advice from an expert
Val Riedman, expert in radon mitigation, says that a skilled DIYer can often install a fan or exhaust system (see “The Ultimate Solutions” below) for as little as $100 to mitigate radon. Riedman says, “I have helped hundreds of DIYers reduce their levels of radon to acceptable levels.” While installing a radon mitigation program is not always an easy project, DIYers can still do it with the right information and a working knowledge.
Riedman states that houses that make good DIY projects have a basement on top of a gravel foundation or a sump system with drain tile.
Riedman says, “If you are considering installing a Radon mitigation system yourself, it’s important to understand what you’re doing so that you don’t increase your radon levels.
The ultimate solution
How effective a radon eradication program looks.
An in-line fan pulls air through the ventpipe, sucking the radon gas from the ground below the basement floor or from a sump pump pit. The vent pipe runs out of the house, up to the roof and into the attic. Here the radon gas is released harmlessly into the air.
A vent pipe that is placed in your sump pit, if you have one, or under your concrete floor slab is the most efficient. To draw air from the basement floor and extract radon, a special in-line fan is installed in the attic. It is easiest to run the vent from the side of your house to the eaves. The vent can also be run up the roof and through the house, although this is more labor-intensive and expensive, but looks better.
The cost to install a mitigation system for radon can vary depending on the location of your home and the level of your radon. A list of qualified contractors will be available from your state’s radon office.
Do not panic if you find radon in your home
Don’t react too much. Radon exposure over long periods of time can lead to serious health effects. It is important to test for radon and then decide what course of action you want. You don’t need to leave your home or hire a contractor to fix the problem.
This project requires the following materials
Don’t make last-minute purchases by having all the materials you need prepared ahead of time. Here is a list.
- Continuous radon testing
- Long-term radon tester
- Short-term radon tester
