Do I need to worry about radon in my home?

As the National Cancer Institute notes, “Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer.” It is long term exposure that matters, so it’s never really too late to check your home for radon. At the very least, you might find out you do have high radon levels, allowing you to take action to protect your home.

How much should I worry about radon?

Levels of 4 pCi/L or higher are considered hazardous. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk and in many cases can be reduced, although it is difficult to reduce levels below 2 pCi/L. The EPA estimates that a radon removal system costs about $1,200 for an average house.

How common are radon problems?

It’s common: About 1 in every 15 homes has what’s considered an elevated radon level. The gas is odorless and invisible, says the EPA, and it causes no immediate symptoms, so the only way to know if your home is affected is by testing your individual residence.

Does every house have radon?

The simple answer is “yes” – at least trace levels of radon will exist in every home. That will mean an old home, new home, drafty home, well insulated home and homes with and without basements. If any part of your foundation is in direct contact with the soil, it has the potential of having elevated levels.

Will radon go away?

In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by ventilating the crawlspace passively, or actively, with the use of a fan. Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home’s suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the home.

Do all homes have some radon?

Are walkout basements better for radon?

All homes are prone to radon. It doesn’t matter if your home is on a slab, a crawlspace, has a basement or a walkout basement. A basement’s walkout level could help ventilate the basement. You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you’ve lived with a radon problem for a long time.

Do walk out basements have less radon?

While we’ve found that radon levels in homes with walkout basements tend to generally be lower, this is certainly no guarantee that the radon levels will be low. The highest radon level we’ve found at a home with a walkout basement was nearly four times higher than the EPA action level.

Does opening a window reduce radon?

Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open. Opening basement windows helps reduce negative air pressure, diluting radon with clean outdoor air.

Is it safe to live in a house with radon?

If you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Over time, these radioactive particles increase the risk of lung cancer. It may take years before health problems appear. People who smoke and are exposed to radon are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Is radon really a health risk?

Being exposed to radon for a long period of time can lead to lung cancer. Radon gas in the air breaks down into tiny radioactive elements (radon progeny) that can lodge in the lining of the lungs, where they can give off radiation. This radiation can damage lung cells and eventually lead to lung cancer.

What are the signs your home has a Radon problem?

Persistent cough Hoarseness Wheezing Shortness of breath Coughing up blood Chest pain Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia Loss of appetite Weight loss Fatigue

What is radon and why you should know about it?

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that’s produced by decaying uranium. It’s present in nearly all soils, and very low levels of radon are found in the air we breathe every day, according to the American Cancer Society. Why is radon a problem? The problem occurs when radon gas enters your home and gets trapped.

How can radon be bad for You?

The facts Radon increases your risk of lung cancer The higher the radon, the longer the exposure, the greater the risk Radon causes over 1,100 deaths from lung cancer each year in the UK The risk from radon is higher if the person is an ex-smoker and significantly greater for current smokers.