Radon is a chemical element that is colorless, tasteless, and odorless and a byproduct of the elements radium and uranium when broken down. When uranium decays it becomes radium and from this form it becomes radon gas.
Radon gas itself is not dangerous to humans unless this gas decays and produces the radioactive particles polonium and lead. These chemicals are extremely radioactive. In fact, radon is the single contributor of background radiation dose to an individual.
Radon has been found to be one of the lead causes in lung cancer in the United States which is only second to smoking. What cause the cancer are the radioactive particles. When polonium and lead is inhaled, these particles become stuck in the bronchi, lungs and trachea. Cells in this area then are disrupted by the radioactive polonium and lead particles then cell mutation starts and in which eventually leads to lung cancer.
The level of health risk depends of the extent of exposure and that of the amount of radon present. Radon gas can be found in people’s homes and can also accumulate in other buildings. Places like attics and basements are the usual areas where there are high concentrations of radon gases. The movement of these gases may also depend on the air pressure differences between the soil under homes and basements. From soil and rock cracks and spaces found in the soil, these gases can seep through homes’ basement floors, cracks and dirt floors, foundation walls’ hollow core block, floor drains and sump pits.
The indoor air quality is significantly affected by radon worldwide. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has advised to take action when a level for 4 picoCuries of radon per liter of air (4 pCi/L) is present. It is equivalent to about 70,000 atoms of radon per liter of air. It is about 2 million radon atoms per cubic foot of air. Though extremely low in radon concentration, a normal human can breathe in about 10,000 radioactive atoms in a minute. These radioactive particles can be lodged in the trachea, lungs and bronchi which is means even with the low level of 4 picoCuries it can still pose health threat.
| Radon Level | Lifetime Risk of Lung Cancer (per person) from Radon Exposure in Homes | ||
| pCi/L | Never Smoker | Current Smoker | General Population |
| 20 | 36 out of 1,000 | 26 out of 100 | 11 out of 100 |
| 10 | 18 out of 1,000 | 15 out of 100 | 56 out of 1,000 |
| 8 | 15 out of 1,000 | 12 out of 100 | 45 out of 1,000 |
| 4 | 73 out of 10,000 | 62 out of 1,000 | 23 out of 1,000 |
| 2 | 37 out of 10,000 | 32 out of 1,000 | 12 out of 1,000 |
| 1.25 | 23 out of 10,000 | 20 out of 1,000 | 73 out of 10,000 |
| 0.4 | 73 out of 100,000 | 64 out of 10,000 | 23 out of 10,000 |
EPA has given approved methods in testing radon concentrations. There are two main methods offered by EPA, the short-term and the long-terms test. For the short-terms it lasts 2-7 days using charcoal accumulators while for the long-terms it can last as long as 3-12 months which uses electrets or alpha tracks. The short-term test is preferred by EPA especially when testing for the first time. The cost will usually include the expense for the analysis of the sample to be sent in the laboratory and then sending back the results. Radon test kits are actually commercially available in the market but be sure that these testers are approved by EPA.
The sub-slab depressurization which is also called active soil depressurization or soil suction is one of the methods to reduce radon concentration. This EPA approved method is most common and effective solutions in reducing the radioactive chemical in homes and in other buildings. It uses primarily a vent pipe system and fan. When these are installed they can block the movement of radon underneath the foundation or concrete floor from escaping to the basement. Installation costs for radon reduction may run between $500 and $1000. There is also operation costs added to the installation costs. For more detailed information on how to reduce radon contact the state radon office to get the EPA’s Consumer Guide to Radon Reduction.