Radon Gas: Is Your Home Radioactive?
I want to discuss a subject that gets very little attention, but should be a major concern to all Americans. Radon gas is the 6th leading cause of death overall and leading cause of lung cancer in the United States for non-smokers. This topic is especially alarming because of two key points: 1) Radon cannot be detected by human senses [you cannot see it, smell it, or taste it.] 2) Radon problems are very common [about 10% of the homes in the United States have unacceptable levels] and the problem has been found in most areas of the country. Radon Testing is easy, accurate, and inexpensive.
When a home is found to have an elevated level of radon gas (defined by the EPA as a radon result of 4.0 pCi/l or above,) methods of reducing the levels can be used to fix the problem. The most common method of Radon remediation (also known as Radon Mitigation or abatement) is Active Soil Depressurization (ASD.) This method uses PVC piping attached to an electric blower system. The piping typically begins below the lowest floor of the home's foundation (penetrating the slab of a basement or the plastic membrane of a crawl space) and extends upward to an exit point above ground level. The inline suction fan is mounted in an inconspicuous location in an attic or outside the home. In cases where the radon fan is located in the attic, the exhaust pipe extends out through the roof so the gas can be released into the atmosphere.
Active (fan assisted) Radon Removal System can reduce the radon levels in a home by as much as 99%. A qualified radon specialist (also known as a radon mitigator or radon remediation contractor) can typically install a system in a home in less than a day. After the system is installed, the radon levels begin to drop almost immediately. Passive radon reduction techniques (such as sealing floor cracks or installing vent pipes without inline fans) are rarely effective at reducing indoor radon levels. The reason that these "passive" techniques are ineffective is because radon gas is pressurized and must escape from the ground. It is an inert, un-reactive gas that can be drawn up through the pours of concrete, around utility penetrations, drains, or expansion joints. Attempting to "seal out" radon is similar to trying to keep water out of a basement by painting the floor and walls with waterproofing paint. It may work temporarily if the problem is minor, but it wouldn't keep standing water out. The only way to fix a water problem is to redirect the water somewhere else before it enters the home. The same principles apply to radon correction. Sealing cracks and openings is part of the radon mitigation process; however this is to prevent the loss of conditioned air from the home and to improve the area of influence that the radon mitigation system has below the slab.
Radon abatement systems are very common in U.S. homes and are considered to be a home improvement. It shouldn’t harm the resale value or aesthetics of the home, and the systems are quite efficient. The average cost of operation is typically less than $100 per year and it usually costs less than $1,000 for installation of the entire system. I’m sure that you would agree that this is a small price to pay to protect the health of your family.
