Ross Trethewey explains why homeowners should test for radon and shares a few professional and DIY options. Keep reading to understand what radon is, how to test for it, and how to mitigate radon from your home.
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium. Uranium is found in rocks and soils in the ground, and it rises and uranium decays. It’s everywhere and not usually a problem; however, it can be concentrated in a home as it rises. It can cause a range of health issues at unsafe levels, and it’s the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Test Your Home for Radon
It’s important to test for radon levels in a home. Today, radon test kits make monitoring radon levels very easy. Short-term test kits monitor the radon levels over three days.
The user installs them in their basement and mails them to a test lab after three days. Long-and-short-term electronic radon test. These measure the radon level in the house, providing long-term averages and short-term levels. There are also monitors with particulate matter detectors, as well.
Why Use Long-Term Testing?
Short-term testing is a quick way to test for dangerous levels. However, long-term tests provide more feedback over a wide range of conditions. Radon is never static, which means its levels peak and subside depending on conditions such as the amount of groundwater pushing it upward, the exhaust fans on in the home, and poor chimney ventilation.
What Are Safe Levels?
Radon is measured using a unit known as picocuries per liter, or pCi/L. Safe levels of radon are below 4.0 pCi/L. Short-term tests may never reach dangerous levels, but long-term tests can show major peaks that occur in certain conditions.
How To Mitigate Radon
A popular solution for high radon levels is to install an active sub-slab depressurization system. These systems involve installing a tube below the slab and into the gravel layer, and the tube continues up to the attic where a fan sits. The fan sucks the radon gasses out of the ground and prevents it from seeping into the basement.
Resources
- Radon fans are used in radon mitigation to reduce the concentration of radon gas in a building.
- Radon electronic testers are a great option for continuous radon monitoring.
- One-time radon testing home kits can be obtained through the American Lung Association.