Reduce radon in your home
Radon is an odorless, invisible gas that may be lurking in homes even if homeowners are unaware of its presence. Although it is a naturally occurring substance, radon has the potential to cause serious illness. Therefore, its detection and reduction are paramount.
According to the federal government, possible entry points of radon into your home include:
• Cracks in foundation walls and floor slabs • Construction joints • Gaps around service pipes • Support posts • Window casements • Floor drains • Sumps or cavities inside walls • Dirt floors The amount of radon in your home will depend on many factors:
• The amount of uranium in the ground
• The number of entry points into your home
• How well your home is ventilated
It is estimated that a non-smoker exposed to high levels of radon over a lifetime has a one in 20 chance of developing lung cancer. That estimate increases to one in three for a smoker exposed to high levels of radon over a lifetime.
According to Air Chek, Inc., a radon testing resource, a radon level of 4 pCi/l is equal to approximately 35 times as much radiation as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would allow if a person was standing next to the fence of a radioactive waste site.
Testing can determine if radon is present in a home.
Homeowners can rely on professional companies or purchase selftesting kits at home improvement retailers. If a test comes back positive for high levels, conduct a follow-up test before taking any measures to fix the problem. Unusual weather can increase radon levels. If repeat testing yields the same results, efforts to reduce radon levels are necessary.
Homeowners must keep in mind that no two situations are the same and various techniques may be necessary to reduce radon levels in a home. Simply opening the windows in a home may not be enough, and many radon remedies require the skilled services of professional contractors who are experienced in radon reduction procedures. Homes can be fixed, but some instances may be best left to professionals.
One of the most popular methods of reducing radon concentrations involves a process called active soil depressurization, or ASD. This is a cost-effective and reliable technique to reduce radon that involves capturing the radon from beneath a building before it can enter the dwelling. A venting system draws the radon gas from the soil beneath the foundation and exhausts it outside of the building — far away from windows and other home openings. A continuously operating fan draws and discharges the radon outdoors.
Because radon removal often requires a specific skill set, it is a job better left to professionals. Opening windows and allowing natural ventilation may help, but a more longterm approach to radon removal might be most appropriate.