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Radon Testing by Illinois Licensed Radon Professionals |
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Radon
Questions
& Answers
Questions
& Answers
Frequent Questions about RADON in General
Radon in Granite Counter Tops?
Does the EPA believe that radon is in granite counters?
There is some evidence that some granites used in counter tops may contain varying concentrations of uranium which produces
radon.
There is too little information and too many variables to generalize about the potential or actual risk.
No
Not at this point in time.
While natural minerals such as granite may occasionally emit radon gas, the levels of radon attributable to such sources are not
typically high. EPA believes the principal source of radon in homes is soil gas that is drawn indoors through a natural suction
process. To reduce radon risk you should first test the air in your home to determine the radon level.
the radon level in almost any home. Contact your state radon office (www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html just click on your state),
or a professional radon testing and mitigation firm (www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html) for assistance. A specially-trained and
qualified professional may be equipped to test for other sources, such as granite, when evaluating the nature and source of your
home's radon problem. The key to reducing risk is to test your home for radon and then make decisions as appropriate.
More and more informed buyers are having radon
tests performed when considering the purchase of a home!
But what if an elevated concentration of radon is found? Does this mean you should walk away from your dream home?
Don’t despair if you find elevated radon concentrations! The radon level can be reduced!
Radon reduction technology has improved so much over the last few years that reducing radon is easy and affordable.
Reliable reduction techniques have been developed that will effectively control radon in buildings.
What if the home I like to buy has a radon reduction system already installed?
Finding a home with a radon reduction system already installed is a plus and can enhance future resale value!
If I find a home with a radon problem, why shouldn't I look for another home?
If you look for another home, especially in the same area, chances are good that it will also have a radon concern! Radon can be
reduced! Just like a water drainage concern can be fixed with a sump, or a leaky roof can be replaced, a radon reduction system
can be installed to reduce the radon and at far less cost than these other repairs. A radon reduction system will actively draw the
radon from beneath the home and exhaust it outside. Of the problems a house can have, radon is one of the easiest to identify
and fix. If you are interested in a home that either has an existing radon reduction system, or tests have shown that a radon
system may be warranted, rest assured that your dream house will only be improved by a radon system!
Are their related benefits by installing a radon reduction system?
In fact, it has been shown that radon mitigation systems can have additional benefits beyond reducing radon in your home, such
as reducing moisture, mold and mildews in- and above crawl spaces and in basements!
Can sealing floor cracks and sealing the sump pit reduce high radon levels?
There are benefits to sealing cracks and the sump pits but the effective is minimal without the installation of a reduction system.
Sealing floor cracks to keep radon out is as difficult as sealing floors and walls to keep water from seeping in. To control radon in
an existing home, a collection system is installed to draw radon from the soil (like a sump collects water) and exhaust it to a safe
location outside of the home. These radon reduction systems are called "Active Soil Pressurisation Systems".
Should I have the house fixed before or after I take possession?
Radon mitigation technology has advanced to the point that the buyer can have the home fixed before or after purchasing it, with
equal confidence of success. Most systems can be installed in one day by a qualified contractor. The important thing to remember
is to re-test the home following the installation of a reduction system to verify the effectiveness of the installation!
- 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 exposures to radon. Based on an updated Assessment of Risk for Radon in Homes,
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.
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 (pico Curries per Liter). 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.
What is the average level of radon found in homes?
Based on a national residential radon survey completed in 1991, the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 picocuries per liter
(pCi/L) in the United States.
Are we sure that radon is a health risk?
EPA already has a wealth of scientific data on the relationship between radon exposure and the development of lung cancer.
The scientific experts agree that the occupational miner data is a very solid base from which to estimate risk of lung cancer
deaths annually. While residential radon epidemiology studies will improve what we know about radon, they will not supersede
the occupational data. Health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Surgeon General , the American Lung
Association, the American Medical Association, and others agree that we know enough now to recommend radon testing and to
encourage public action when levels are above 4 pCi/L. The most comprehensive of these efforts has been the National
Academy of Science's Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI) Report (see www.epa.gov/radon/beirvi.html). This report
reinforces that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and is a serious public health problem. As in the case of
cigarette smoking, it would probably take many years and rigorous scientific research to produce the composite data needed to
make an even more definitive conclusion.
What is Radon? What is the Definition of Radon?
Radon is a gaseous radioactive element having the symbol Rn, the atomic number 86, an atomic weight of 222, a melting point
of -71ºC, a boiling point of -62ºC, and (depending on the source, there are between 20 and 25 isotopes of radon - 20 cited in
the chemical summary, 25 listed in the table of isotopes); it is an extremely toxic, colorless gas; it can be condensed to a
transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid; it is derived from the radioactive decay of radium and is used in cancer
treatment, as a tracer in leak detection, and in radiography. (From the word radium, the substance from which it is derived.)
Sources: Condensed Chemical Dictionary, and Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 69th ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL,
1988.
Should I test the soil for radon before building?
Soil testing for radon is not recommended for determining whether a house should be built radon-resistant. Although soil testing
can be done, it cannot rule out the possibility that radon could be a problem in the house you build on a lot. Even if soil testing
reveals low levels of radon gas in the soil, the amount of radon that may enter the finished house cannot be accurately
predicted because one cannot predict the impact that the site preparation will have on introducing new radon pathways or the
extent to which a vacuum will be produced by the house. Furthermore, the cost of a single soil test for radon ranges from $70 to
$150, and at least 4 to 8 tests could be required to accurately characterize the radon in the soil at a single building site.
Therefore, the cost to perform the soil testing is very high when compared with installing the passive radon system in high radon
potential areas.
Why not wait to install the radon-resistant features until after the home is completed and a radon test is performed?
It is much easier and far less costly to prepare the sub-grade to improve the soil gas flow before the slab is cast. Also, the pipe
for the radon-resistant system itself can be run more easily through the house before it is finished. This significantly improves
aesthetics and can reduce subsequent system operating costs by planning to route the pipe through warm space to maximize
passive operation of the system. The best way to determine the radon level in a home? Test the home for radon after
occupancy!
How do we know radon is a carcinogen?
The World Health Organization (WHO), the National Academy of Sciences, the US Department of Health and Human Services,
as well as EPA, have classified radon as a known human carcinogen, because of the wealth of biological and epidemiological
evidence and data showing the connection between exposure to radon and lung cancer in humans.
There have been many studies conducted by many different organizations in many nations around the world to examine the
relationship of radon exposure and human lung cancer. The largest and most recent of these was an international study, led by
the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which examined the data on 68,000 underground miners who were exposed to a wide range
of radon levels. The studies of miners are very useful because the subjects are humans, not rats, as in many cancer research
studies. These miners are dying of lung cancer at 5 times the rate expected for the general population. Over many years
scientists around the world have conducted exhaustive research to verify the cause-effect relationship between radon exposure
and the observed increased lung cancer deaths in these miners and to eliminate other possible causes.
In addition, there is an overlap between radon exposures received by miners who got lung cancer and the exposures people
would receive over their lifetime in a home at EPA's action level of 4 pCi/L (pico Curries per Liter), i.e., the lung cancer risk in
miners has been documented at exposure levels comparable to those which occur in homes/residences.
How often should I test/retest my home for radon?
The general guidance from EPA, “A Citizen's Guide to Radon” suggests to test:
- If your living patterns change and you begin occupying a lower level of your home (such as a basement) you should retest
your home on that level. Even if your test result is below 4 pCi/L, you may want to test again sometime in the future. - If you are buying or selling a home (EPA’s Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon)
- If you are thinking of selling your home and you have already tested your home for radon, review the Radon Testing
Checklist to make sure that the test was done correctly. If so, provide your test results to the buyer.
No matter what kind of test you took, a potential buyer may ask for a new test especially if:
- The Radon Testing Checklist items were not met;
- The last test is not recent, e.g., within two years;
- You have renovated or altered your home since you tested; or
- The buyer plans to live in a lower level of the house than was tested, such as a basement suitable for occupancy but not
currently lived in.
A buyer may also ask for a new test if your state or local government requires disclosure of radon information to buyers.
Radon in Granite Counter Tops?
Does the EPA believe that radon is in granite counters?
There is some evidence that some granites used in counter tops may contain varying concentrations of uranium which produces
radon.
There is too little information and too many variables to generalize about the potential or actual risk.
No
Not at this point in time.
While natural minerals such as granite may occasionally emit radon gas, the levels of radon attributable to such sources are not
typically high. EPA believes the principal source of radon in homes is soil gas that is drawn indoors through a natural suction
process. To reduce radon risk you should first test the air in your home to determine the radon level.
the radon level in almost any home. Contact your state radon office (www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html just click on your state),
or a professional radon testing and mitigation firm (www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html) for assistance. A specially-trained and
qualified professional may be equipped to test for other sources, such as granite, when evaluating the nature and source of your
home's radon problem. The key to reducing risk is to test your home for radon and then make decisions as appropriate.
More and more informed buyers are having radon
tests performed when considering the purchase of a home!
But what if an elevated concentration of radon is found? Does this mean you should walk away from your dream home?
Don’t despair if you find elevated radon concentrations! The radon level can be reduced!
Radon reduction technology has improved so much over the last few years that reducing radon is easy and affordable.
Reliable reduction techniques have been developed that will effectively control radon in buildings.
What if the home I like to buy has a radon reduction system already installed?
Finding a home with a radon reduction system already installed is a plus and can enhance future resale value!
If I find a home with a radon problem, why shouldn't I look for another home?
If you look for another home, especially in the same area, chances are good that it will also have a radon concern! Radon can be
reduced! Just like a water drainage concern can be fixed with a sump, or a leaky roof can be replaced, a radon reduction system
can be installed to reduce the radon and at far less cost than these other repairs. A radon reduction system will actively draw the
radon from beneath the home and exhaust it outside. Of the problems a house can have, radon is one of the easiest to identify
and fix. If you are interested in a home that either has an existing radon reduction system, or tests have shown that a radon
system may be warranted, rest assured that your dream house will only be improved by a radon system!
Are their related benefits by installing a radon reduction system?
In fact, it has been shown that radon mitigation systems can have additional benefits beyond reducing radon in your home, such
as reducing moisture, mold and mildews in- and above crawl spaces and in basements!
Can sealing floor cracks and sealing the sump pit reduce high radon levels?
There are benefits to sealing cracks and the sump pits but the effective is minimal without the installation of a reduction system.
Sealing floor cracks to keep radon out is as difficult as sealing floors and walls to keep water from seeping in. To control radon in
an existing home, a collection system is installed to draw radon from the soil (like a sump collects water) and exhaust it to a safe
location outside of the home. These radon reduction systems are called "Active Soil Pressurisation Systems".
Should I have the house fixed before or after I take possession?
Radon mitigation technology has advanced to the point that the buyer can have the home fixed before or after purchasing it, with
equal confidence of success. Most systems can be installed in one day by a qualified contractor. The important thing to remember
is to re-test the home following the installation of a reduction system to verify the effectiveness of the installation!
| E-mail us your questions about radon – we will be happy to do some research and find the appropriate answers for you. info@radonbyregency.com |
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Tel: 630-639-0301 Fax: 630-355-3534 |
