October 20, 2015

Radon

Radon Measurement Testing


With radon levels being higher than ever before, EPA.gov, CDC, U.S. Surgeon General and the Michigan Department of EGLE all strongly recommend that every home is tested for radon gas every two years.

*25% or more homes tested in Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston, and Oakland Counties have higher than federally recommended Radon Levels.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. You cannot see, taste or smell radon. Testing is the only way to know the level of exposure in your home.

Where Does Radon Come From?

Radon-222 is the decay product of radium-226. Radon-222 and its parent, radium-226, are part of the long decay chain for uranium-238. Since uranium is essentially ubiquitous (being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time) in the earth’s crust, radium-226 and radon-222 are present in almost all rock and all soil and water. The amount of radon in the soil depends on soil chemistry, which varies from one house to the next. Radon levels in the soil range from a few hundred to several thousands of pCi/L (picocuries per liter) in air. The amount of radon that escapes from the soil to enter the house depends on the weather, soil porosity, soil moisture, and the suction within the house.

How Does Radon Get into Your Home?

Any home may have a radon problem. Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. 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.

What are the Health Effects from Exposure to Radon?

There are no immediate symptoms from exposure to radon. Radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Smokers are at higher risk of developing Radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure. There is no evidence that other respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are caused by radon exposure and there is no evidence that children are at any greater risk of radon induced lung cancer than adults.

What Does the EPA Recommend?

  • If you are buying a home or selling your home, have it tested for radon.
  • For a new home, ask if radon-resistant construction features were used and if the home has been tested.
  • If the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter, or pCi/L, or higher, radon mitigation is recommended.
  • Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases, may be reduced.
Radon testing and radon testers in Livonia, Westland, Detroit, Warren, Farmington Hills, Novi, Dearborn, Bloomfield, and surrounding areas of Michigan!
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