Radon

What is radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that is released when uranium—a natural element found in rock and soil—breaks down and decays. Radon is found in rock, soil, water, some building materials, and natural gas. You can't see, taste, or smell it.

Any home, school, office, or other building can have high levels of radon. Radon is found in new and old buildings. It can seep in through any opening where the building contacts the soil. If a home's water supply contains radon, radon may enter the air inside the home through pipes, drains, faucets, or appliances that use water. Then the radon may get trapped inside the home.

If you live in an area that has large deposits of uranium, you may be more likely to be exposed to high levels of radon. But the construction features and exact location of your home may be just as likely to affect your risk. Even homes right next to each other can have very different radon levels.

Long-term exposure to radon has been linked to the development of lung cancer.

What health problems can it cause?

Over time, exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. People who smoke have an even higher risk of lung cancer from radon exposure than people who don't smoke.

Radon exposure doesn't cause symptoms. Unless your home or office is tested for high radon levels, you may not realize that you are being exposed to dangerous levels of radon until you or someone in your family is diagnosed with lung cancer.

How can you test for radon?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that all homes be tested for radon levels.

You can use a do-it-yourself test kit. Use only home tests that are labeled "meets EPA requirements." You can get radon test kits by calling your local health department or the EPA at 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236). Or you can hire a qualified radon service professional to test your home and provide service.

There are two types of tests. Both measure radon levels in the air. The EPA recommends placing the test kit in your home or building on the lowest level that you regularly use.

• The short-term test kit stays in place for 2 to 90 days. Radon levels vary daily and from season to season. So you may want to follow up the first short-term test with a second test.
• The long-term test kit stays in place for more than 90 days. A long-term test will give more accurate results.

If you have questions about radon in your home or building, you can get help from the EPA by calling 1-800-55-RADON (1-800-557-2366).

How can you reduce your exposure to radon?

If tests find a high level of radon, you'll need to reduce it.

For information about removing or reducing radon in your home or building, you can contact your local health department, go to www.epa.gov/radon, or call the Radon Fix-It Hotline at 1-800-644-6999.

There are two parts to reducing your exposure to radon. Use an EPA-qualified contractor with proper training in radon reduction to help with this work.

• Preventing radon from entering the building. The most common way to do this is through sub-slab depressurization, which vents air from beneath the foundation. Other control methods include sealing cracks in the foundation or walls and using air cleaners.
• Venting radon out of the building. After the radon is prevented from entering the building, venting can be done to reduce the level of radon. This may include using fans, blowers, and suction devices to remove radon in the air in crawl spaces, basements, and other areas.

After radon reduction or prevention procedures are done, the home or building should be retested. You may need to retest more than once. It is usually safe to be in the home or building while the radon is being vented, but you may want to confirm this with your local health department.