What is Radon and Why is it Harmful?
Radon is a gas found in the ground that is colorless as well as odorless. These are two of the reasons as to why it's harmful. Unlike propane or the natural gas we use in our homes, you cannot smell it. Propane and natural gas also don't have a smell but that smell is added so that we know when there's a leak. Since Radon is a gas found in the ground there's no way to add a smell to it.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, coming behind only smoking. The EPA estimates there are 21,000 deaths per year caused by Radon. My guess would be this number is actually probably higher since it's rarely tested for and could take awhile to cause damages. Side affects can take anywhere from 5-25 years to show up.
Where is Radon?
Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. Since Radon is primarily in the ground, it enters homes and buildings through cracks in the foundation or walls below the ground. Typically it will come into the basement but even on homes without basements can make it's way though duct work and vents.
How To Know If Your Home Has Radon?
The only way to know if your home has Radon or not is to get your home tested. There are many companies out there that specialize in only Radon but there are also a lot of home inspection companies that will also test for it. Most people only find out if their home has Radon or not when they go to sell their home and the new buyer get's a Radon inspection done. How this works is the Radon or inspection company will come put a device in your home, typically somewhere in the basement, and it will test for what level of radon the home has. They will leave the device in the home for 3-4 days and then come pick it up and print out a report of the levels.
Pretty much every home will have some level of Radon. EPA guidance suggests mitigating if levels are at or above 148 Becquerels/meter3 (4 picocuries/liter) The cost to test your home for Radon is anywhere from $100-$150. The EPA recommends you get your home tested every 2 years for radon levels. Since the gas is in the ground it's always changing and shifting as the ground does.
Some local municipalities here in Missouri have been discussing making radon testing mandatory for occupancy inspections. I would imagine this will become more and more common nationwide.
Removing Radon From Your Home
There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home, but the one most used has a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This system, known as a soil depressurization system, does not require major changes to your home. The cost to have a professional Radon company mitigate your home of Radon is generally between $800-$1200.
