Radon
Radon is a
colorless and odorless radioactive gas that
has been estimated to cause 5,000 to 20,000
lung cancer deaths yearly. It is second only
to smoking as a cause of lung cancer. It has
been estimated that nearly 1 out of every 15
homes in the US has elevated radon levels.
Radon is produced when small amounts of
uranium and radium in soil and rocks decay.
Radon gas will also decay into smaller and
radioactive particles that can be inhaled
into the lungs where it can damage cells and
cause lung cancer.
Radon is mainly released from soil, water
and natural gas which have already been
exposed to radon, from solar-heating systems
that use radon-emitting rocks, and from
uranium or phosphate mine tailings. Radon is
naturally released in low concentrations,
but inside your house, radon gas can become
more concentrated. Lack of ventilation
exhaust fans that bring in air from outside
can increase the amount of radon in your
home.
The Environmental Protection Agency suggests
that homes be tested for radon, which should
have a radon level of 4 picocuries per liter
or less. For people selling their homes, the
EPA recommends that the house be tested for
radon, and radon levels be reduced, if
necessary. Radon levels can be reduced by
increasing the airflow into the house,
keeping the vents open year round, and
discouraging smoking in the house. For
people buying homes, the EPA recommends
obtaining radon test results in addition to
information about radon reduction systems.
If you are planning to have your home tested
for radon, the EPA recommends that the test
be conducted in the lowest level of the home
that is suitable for occupancy, and you
should make sure that the test is done
correctly by following the EPA Test
Checklist.
There are two different types of testing
devices available: passive devices and
active devices. Passive devices, such as
charcoal canisters, alpha track detectors,
and charcoal liquid scintillation devices
are exposed to air in the home for a
specified amount of time, and sent to a
laboratory to be analyzed. Active devices,
like continuous radon monitors and
continuous working level monitors,
continuously measure and record the amount
of radon in the air, and require operation
by trained testers. These tests can be
performed over a long term, or a short term,
with the long term tests by active devices
considered to be more accurate.
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