What are the Natural Sources of Radon
What is radon gas and how do you get rid of it? Read on to learn more…
Radium is THE Source of Radon Gas
Radon gas is the naturally produced decomposition gas from the decay of radium, a radioactive naturally-occurring element.
The radium in the ground, which presumably has existed since the earth was formed, slowly decomposes and releases the gas radon. The radon escapes from the ground and enters the environment. This natural process is, in and of itself, not a concern.
Radium Rises Through the Soil
Problems with radon gas occur in areas where radium is present in the ground and subsequently radon may rise up through the soil (see picture) and enter a home through cracks and holes in the foundations, thus causing elevated radon levels inside a home. Without proper ventilation in a home with elevated radon readings radon may build up to very unhealthy levels. The current research shows that radon has the cancer-causing potential of smoking possibly dozens of cartons of cigarettes PER DAY!!!!
In those areas where radon might be a problem, there are ways of testing for the presence of radon, and if an unsafe level is detected, to improve home ventilation to vent the dangerous gas from the home to prevent it from building up to dangerous levels. Radium is NOT present in all areas of the country, and you can visit the EPA Map of Radon Zones to learn if you might be at risk.
How to Get Rid of Radon and Radon Gas Mitigation
Testing for radon is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. The EPA also recommends testing in schools.
Radon 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.
Radon mitigation is the process you need to follow to get rid of radon in your home. To learn more about how to lower the radon levels in your home, please reference these free documents available from the EPA:
Radon Health Risks and Lung Cancer
Radon has been classified as a know human carcinogenand has been recognized as a significant health problem by groups such as the Centers for Disease Control, The American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association. Furthermore, risks from in-home radon exposure have been a major concern for the EPT. Read the entire health risk assesment about radon and lung cancer.
The Study of Radon
It was not until the beginning of the 19th century in the United States that epidemiological studies conclusively demonstrated an unusual incidence of lung cancer among uranium miners. From these finding occupation limits were established for radon concentrations in uranium mines.
The danger of radon exposure in dwellings was discovered in 1984 by Stanley Watras, an employee at the Limerick nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began testing homes for radon and found elevated levels of radon in them as well.
Radon Health Risk Solutions
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 for radon is inexpensive and easy - it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon gas levels.
