Radon 101

[HouseMaster]

Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas, which is formed by the natural breakdown of uranium. Radon can be found in high concentrations in rock and soil that contains granite, shale, phosphate and uranium, or even fill soil containing industrial waste. Radon can be present in any area, but typically concerns are higher in hilly or mountainous areas and lower in sandy, coastal areas. In the Lakes Region we see 3 out of 5 homes on average with at least a marginal elevation in radon gas levels.

Radon gas moves through the soil toward the earth's surface where it either safely dissipates in outdoor air or seeps into buildings through cracks and gaps in the building's foundation. Radon can also be introduced into a building or home through the water-supply, particularly if there is a private well.

Once trapped inside a home, radon can accumulate to the point where it can be harmful to the occupants. Actually, it is the breakdown of radon, into what is referred to as radon decay products, that represents the greatest concern. These radioactive products become attached to airborne particles, which can be inhaled and ultimately cause lung tissue damage and cancer. Smokers are especially prone to the adverse effects of long-term radon exposure.

If radon is a concern in your home, elevated radon levels are more likely to occur during the winter months when the house is generally in closed-house conditions. The best way to test your home's radon level is by purchasing a special test kit or by hiring a professional to perform the measurement.

For more information, visit the EPA.gov or Health Canada Web sites.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at housemaster.com.

[songkrai]

Are there two types of radon tests?

One for home. One for water.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by songkrai

Are there two types of radon tests?

One for home. One for water.

Yes, the air test is a canister that sits open for a set duration then is sent out for eval. The water test involves taking a sample and sending it to a lab. Mitigation for both is very different.

[HouseMaster]

Originally Posted by songkrai

Are there two types of radon tests?

One for home. One for water.

There are indeed two different types for the structure and for water. The testing for water is to capture a specific volume of water completely void of any air bubbles. The sample is then provided to a certified lab for analysis and the resulting radon level is determined.

For testing radon concentrations in air there are several capture methods. The first is standard charcoal canisters. While these are the most economical they bring with it a potential for inaccurate results. Another method is an ion capture chamber, most often recognized by a trade name such as EPERM. These will be more expensive to deploy/test with as they are not available for use by the consumer, however, they are extremely accurate and can be deployed for a longer timespan than charcoal which further improves the accuracy of the test. Another method is a continuous monitoring system. These are even more expensive to deploy than the previous two methods but are not any more accurate than the ion capture chamber type of test.

There are other methods of testing available yet the three methods I have described comprise about 98% of the testing performed for air concentrations, especially for real estate transactions/sales.