Radon … What’s That?

Radon is a natural, radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless gas.  Radon is produced by the natural decay of radium, which is common in igneous and metamorphic rock, phosphate rock, shale and soil. Rock such as granite, basalt, obsidian, pumice, gneiss, schist, and limestone are some of the rocks that release Radon gas during the natural breakdown. Therefore any geographical location that the bedrock is predominately made up of these fore-mentioned rocks are almost guaranteed to have Radon present. Radon is measured in a unit called Picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Although no level of Radon is considered to be safe it becomes a major concern when it reaches a concentration of 4 pCi/L or higher. In Ohio Radon levels range from 1-8 pCi/L. It is recommended that any levels of radon over 4pCi/L be mitigated from the structures on the property. All property types are subject to accumulation of Radon however slab foundations are at the least risk although they are not exempt from the plagues of Radon.

 

Radon … How does it affect me and my family?

The Health effects of Radon can be very severe depending on your level of exposure. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second cause of lung cancer in smokers. The actual effect of radon on the body is that is causes a specific type of cancer called radiation-induced cancer. Lung cancer is the only observed effect of high concentrations of radon exposure/inhalation. Exposure to radon and cigarette smoke are synergistic which means that the effect of having exposure to both put one at a significantly increased risk of lung cancer.

 

Radon … What do I do about it?

The easiest thing to do is to have your home tested, or test a house before you buy it.  If your home or prospective home comes back with a Radon result of 4 pCi/L  or greater it is recommended that you have it mitigated. DON’T FEAR, radon mitigation is not as horrible as it sounds, especially if a property already has a sump pump.