McClain
Home Inspection, LLC
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McClain Home Inspection, LLC
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Radon is an odorless radioactive gas formed by the breakdown of uranium found in soil, rocks beneath and around building foundations, ground water wells, and some building materials. Exposure to radon in homes can increase the risk of lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is the number 1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, responsible for as many as 15,000 to 22,000 cancer deaths each year. The combination of smoking and the presence of radon in the home can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. According to EPA, nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the US has elevated radon levels. Radon may be present in any home or building, regardless of age. Because radon is a gas, it can leak into homes through the basement or crawl space, cracks in concrete floors and walls, floor drains and sump holes, or through well water. Radon from soil is the main source of exposure. Health risks from radon in drinking water are much lower and are only a significant concern in certain parts of the country. The largest risk from radon-contaminated water comes from the gas being released into the air when water is used for showering and other household purposes. Radon levels vary nationally. EPA publishes maps of the country and each state, assigning each county to one of three zones based on the expected average radon level in a typical home. While designed to guide building construction standards, the maps are helpful in understanding the regional differences in radon levels. However, any home in any zone can contain elevated radon levels. Radon does not produce immediate symptoms. Because radon is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, the only way to determine if there is a significant risk is to test a home for radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend that all areas below the third floor of a building be tested for radon. Both schools and homes should be tested. In apartment buildings, it is most important to test homes on the basement level where radon from the ground is likely to be highest, though tests should also be conducted on the first and second floors of any apartment complex. EPA has established a recommended action guideline of 4 picoCuries of radon per liter (piC/L) of air in residences. (A picoCurie is a measure of radioactivity.) EPA recommends that action be taken to reduce radon levels when this guideline is exceeded. The presence of radon over the EPA standard is not a violation of local housing codes in most cities. The long-term goal is to reduce indoor radon levels to average outdoor levels of 0.4 picoCuries per liter. Because of technology limits, EPA’s short-term goal is to achieve home radon concentrations below 2 picoCuries per liter. Sources and Additional Information Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - ToxFAQ for Radon - www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts145.html American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists - www.aarst.org American Lung Association - Radon - www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35395 American Radon Policy Coalition - www.radonnews.org/pages/index.html National Safety Council - www.nsc.org/ehc/radon.htm US Environmental Protection Agency - www.epa.gov/iaq/radon US Geological Survey (USGS) - A “Geology of Radon” brochure, radon potential maps of the United States, and other USGS radon publications - http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/radon/radonhome.html
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