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Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium and radium in soils which can be found everywhere in the world. Uranium is present in rocks such as granite, shale, phosphate, and pitchblende. Uranium breaks down into radium, which then decays into radon.

Radon is in the soil and air everywhere in varying amounts. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

When radon enters a home, it decays into radioactive particles that have a static charge, which attracts them to particles in the air. These particles can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As the radioactive particles break down further, they release bursts of energy which can damage the DNA in lung tissue. In some cases, if the lung tissue does not repair the DNA correctly, the damage can lead to lung cancer.

Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, but your risk of getting radon-induced lung cancer increases as your exposer to radon increases (either because the radon levels are higher or you live in the home longer). Smokers who have high radon levels in their homes are at an especially high risk for getting radon-induced lung cancer.

The evidence that radon causes lung cancer is extensive and based on human data taken from studies carried out over more than 50 years in five countries, including the United States and Canada; human data from the studies in homes in many different nations, including the U.S. and Canada; and biological and molecular research.

Radon is classified as a Class A carcinogen (known to cause cancer in humans). Other Class A carcinogens include tobacco smoke and products, arsenic, asbestos, and benzene.

The risk of developing lung cancer from radon has been clearly demonstrated in underground miners. Did you know that the average lifetime radon exposure for the general population is about the same as the levels of exposure at which increased risk has been demonstrated in underground miners?!?!

A study released by the National Academy of Sciences on February 19, 1998 called ‘The Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Radon’ is one of the most definitive accumulation of scientific data on indoor radon to date. The report concludes that radon causes 15,000 – 22,000 deaths per year, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and a serious public health concern.

Organizations including: U.S. Surgeon General, American Medical Association, American Lung Association, Cener for Disease Control, National Cancer Institute, National Academy of Sciences, and Environmental Protection Agency, all conclude that radon is most definitely a health threat in homes.

There is no known safe level of radon. As your exposure to radon is increased, so is your risk for developing lung cancer. Even radon levels below 4 pCi/L pose some risk. Homes have been found with radon levels above 20, 100, and in rare cases even 2000 pCi/L. high indoor radon levels have been found in every state.

EPA, the Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control, and many other health organizations recommend that action be taken to reduce indoor radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L., which is a reasonably achievable level of radon in homes using currently available cost-effective techniques.

Four main factors drive radon entry into homes.
All of these factors exist in most homes throughout America.

1. Uranium is present in the soil nearly everywhere in the United States.

2. The soil is permeable enough to allow radon to migrate into the home through the slab, basement, or crawlspace.

3. There are pathways for the radon to enter the basement, such as small holes, cracks, plumbing penetrations, or sumps. All homes have radon entry pathways.

4. An air pressure difference between the basement or crawlspace and the surrounding soil draws radon into the home.

The air pressure in a house is generally lower than in the surrounding air and soil, particularly in the basement and foundation levels. This difference in pressure causes a house to act like a vacuum, drawing air containing radon and other soil gases in through foundation cracks and other openings. Some of the replacement air comes from the underlying soil and can contain radon.

One reason why this pressure difference occurs is because exhaust fans remove air from inside the house. When this air is exhausted, outside air enters the house to replace it. Another cause for a pressure difference is that warm air rises and will leak from openings in the upper portion of the house when temperatures are higher indoors than outdoors. This condition, known as ‘stack effect,’ causes unconditioned replacement air to enter the lower portion of the house.

Mechanical systems, such as the furnaces or central air conditioners, may also contribute to the difference in air pressure. In areas the very short mild winters, mechanical systems can be the dominant driving force. Air handlers and leaky return ducts can not only draw in radon, they can also distribute it throughout a home.

Because radon can literally be sucked into a home, any home can potentially have a radon problem. All conventional house construction types have been found to have radon levels exceeding the action level of 4.0 pCi/L.

• Basement – Radon can enter through floor-to-wall joints and control joints and cracks in the slab.

• Slab-On-Grade – Radon can enter a home regardless of whether or not there is a basement. Slabs built on grade can have just as many openings to allow radon to enter as do basements.

• Crawlspace – The vacuums that exist within a home are exerted on the crawlspaces causing radon and other gases to enter the home from the earthen area below. Even with crawlspace vents, a slight vacuum is still exerted on the crawlspace. Measurements in homes with crawlspaces have shown elevated radon levels.

• Manufactured Homes – Unless these buildings are setup on piers without any skirting placed around them, interior vacuums can cause radon to enter these types of homes as well.

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, so before you leave be sure to visit Von Löwen Designs to view an assortment of refreshing examples in kitchen and bath design concepts, refined palette and interior finishes, and sustainable yet chic, green remodeling ideas that may encourage and inspire your next remodel or home improvement project.