Clearing the Air: Do Air Purifiers Help with Radon
You've invested in a top-of-the-line air purifier, and your home feels fresher than ever before. The air feels cleaner, and even your nagging indoor allergies have eased up. Game. Changer. You’re feeling good about your indoor air quality.
Then, enter radon: an invisible, odorless natural gas creeping up from the ground. While you can’t smell or see radon—and might not feel immediate effects like you do with allergens like mold— radon can cause serious health risks.
Naturally, you wonder, "Do air purifiers help with radon, too?" It’s a reasonable thought—after all, if your purifier can tackle dust and pet dander, why wouldn’t it remove radon gas? So, will an air purifier help with radon? Unfortunately, even the best air purifier won’t save the day when it comes to radon.
We’ll dive into what radon is, why air purifiers can’t deal with it, and what you can do instead to protect your home. Plus, we’ll explore the other ways air purifiers can still be your home’s best friend– even if they can’t tackle radon.
What Exactly Is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the decay of uranium in the soil, rock, and water beneath your home. Because it’s invisible, odorless, and tasteless, radon is often referred to as a “silent threat”. It seeps into buildings through cracks in the foundation, walls, and water supply—and there’s no good way to detect it without a radon test.
Once inside, radon gas can accumulate to levels that pose significant health risks, specifically lung cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the “consider mitigation” levels are between 2.0 pCi/L and 3,9 pCi/L, where unsafe radon levels begin at 4.0 pCi/L.
But why all the fuss about radon in the first place? Unfortunately, long-term exposure to high radon levels (above 4.0 pCi/L) can have dire consequences. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, right after smoking.
Do Air Purifiers Remove Radon? Why The Answer Is No
Air purifiers are fantastic for filtering out various airborne particles and pollutants. They use HEPA filters to trap tiny particles that can irritate your respiratory system—like dust, pollen, and pet dander. Some models even include activated carbon filters to absorb odors and certain chemicals. However, radon presents a unique challenge that no air purifier can effectively overcome.
Radon is a gas, and its particles are so small that they can pass right through the filters in air purifiers. Even those equipped with activated carbon aren’t designed to trap radon effectively. The only way to truly protect your home from radon is by stopping it from getting inside or reducing its levels once it’s already there.
The Real Solution: Radon Mitigation Systems
A radon mitigation system is your best bet for tackling high radon levels. These systems work by venting radon gas from beneath your home to the outside, preventing it from entering your living spaces. Here’s how it works:
Sub-slab Depressurization: This is the most common and effective method. A pipe is inserted into the soil beneath your home’s foundation, and a fan draws the radon gas out and safely releases it outside.
Sealing & Encapsulation: While not a standalone solution, sealing cracks in your foundation and walls and encapsulating your crawl space can help reduce the amount of radon entering your home as part of a broader mitigation strategy.
Air Dilution: Air dilution uses an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) to introduce fresh air into your HVAC unit. This process, hence the name, dilutes your indoor air, lowering your radon concentration levels and bringing your home or business down to safe levels.
Wait: Don’t Ditch Your Air Purifier Just Yet!
They can’t tackle radon or other soil gasses, but we're still big air purifier fans! Your air purifier can still be instrumental in maintaining a healthy indoor air environment. Here are some benefits of keeping an air purifier in your home:
Allergen Reduction: Air purifiers can significantly reduce the amount of allergens in your home—think pollen, pet dander, and dust mites—making it easier to breathe, especially for those with allergies or asthma.
Odor Elimination: Whether it’s cooking smells, smoke, or pet odors, an air purifier with an activated carbon filter can help keep your home smelling fresh.
Improved Air Quality: Air purifiers improve overall air quality by removing airborne particles and pollutants. By adding an air purifier to your home, you could experience benefits like better sleep, fewer respiratory issues, and a more comfortable living environment.
Take Action: Protect Your Home from Radon with The Radon Guys
Your air purifier may keep the air clean, but only a professional radon mitigation system can ensure it’s safe from radon. If you have high radon levels, you must call a radon mitigation specialist to properly evaluate, diagnose, and mitigate your home.
The Radon Guys are Middle Tennesee’s trusted, NRPP-certified radon mitigation specialists. We’re here to ensure your home is effectively mitigated—and that you can breathe easily throughout the process. Our experts can assess your home’s radon levels and recommend the best course of action to protect your health and improve your indoor air quality. With an industry-leading three-year warranty, we’ll ensure your levels stay in the EPA-recommended zone, and our optional service plans can help extend the longevity of your system for years to come.
Do you have questions or concerns? We’re here to help! Contact The Radon Guys today for a free, on-site consultation and take the first step towards a radon-free home.
