Is Your Home Safe? Understanding Radon Risks and Remedies
You can’t see, smell, or feel it. There’s no musky odor, stained floors, or really anything to indicate that your home isn’t safe from radon. So what’s the big deal? Is radon really a risk?
While it can be hard to wrap your head around something you can’t sense or measure without a test, radon gas can present serious risks to people and pets — including cancer.
We’ll explain the real risks of radon, how to determine if your levels are in the safe range, and what you can do if your radon test results come back high.
But First: What Is Radon? Can You Live in a House With It?
What’s radon? Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas – you can’t tell it's there without a test. In short, radon gas is naturally occurring and forms when uranium present in soil and rocks decays. Radon can enter homes and businesses through foundation cracks, pipe gaps, or other openings.
Is It Safe to Live in a House With Radon?
In the long term? No, it is not safe to live in a house with radon. While you don’t need to vacate your home immediately if your radon levels come back high, you do want to ensure that you seek out professional mitigation as soon as possible.
Prolonged exposure to high radon levels can pose significant health risks over time. While you may not see immediate effects, there are serious long-term health risks, such as lung cancer.
Is My House Safe From Radon?
Many folks will assume their home is radon-free because it’s newly built, includes a passive radon system, or they don’t live in a high-risk radon area.
However, that’s not the case. Your home could have high radon levels no matter how new it is, if you have an existing radon system, or where you live.
Seasonal changes, renovations, and failing radon systems can lead to radon accumulation. That’s why the EPA recommends radon testing every two years – or keeping a radon monitor active in your home.
In short, no home can be declared “radon-safe” without an up-to-date test.
The Health Risks Associated with Long-Term Radon Exposure
Unfortunately, prolonged exposure to elevated radon levels is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, surpassed only by smoking. It’s important to note that radon gas itself isn’t harmful. It’s the radon decay products (called RDPs) that radon leaves behind as it decays that cause damage. RDPs can cling to dust, smoke, and other airborne particles. When you inhale these particles, they can attach to your lungs and increase your risk of cancer over time.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. While both smokers and non-smokers are at risk, smokers face a higher susceptibility due to the combined effects of smoking and radon exposure. Knowing that the air you breathe is radon-free, whether at work or home, is crucial.
Sadly, radon-induced lung cancer often develops without any early symptoms. That makes radon-induced lung cancer a silent threat that can often go unnoticed until it reaches advanced stages.
Radon and Pet Health: Does Radon Affect Dogs and Cats?
Does radon affect cats? What about dogs? Or other pets? The answer is yes.
Our furry and feathery companions – such as dogs, cats, and birds – are also vulnerable to radon's harmful effects. Given their shorter lifespans and smaller lung capacities, pets may experience the adverse effects of radon more quickly than humans.
In addition to their biological differences, pets' lifestyle habits also put them at greater risk of radon-induced lung issues, such as lung cancer. Pets typically spend more time indoors and are closer to the ground, where radon concentrations are higher.
Like with humans, increased radon exposure can lead to pet respiratory issues and a heightened lung cancer risk. Symptoms of lung cancer in pets may include coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or unexplained weight loss.
What Are Acceptable Radon Levels in Homes?
Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends taking corrective action to reduce radon levels in homes that test at or above 4.0 pCi/L.
However, since radon exposure carries some risk at any level, the EPA also suggests mitigation for levels between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.
The average indoor radon concentration in American homes is about 1.3 pCi/L, while outdoor levels average around 0.4 pCi/L. Some regions, including Middle Tennesee, have higher than national averages and carry a higher risk of radon exposure.
Remember, regular testing is the only way to determine your home's radon levels, as the gas is undetectable by human senses.
Radon Mitigation Strategies: How to Get Radon Under Control
If your home has high radon levels, several effective mitigation strategies can reduce them:
Sub-Slab Depressurization: This is the most common method and involves installing a vent pipe system and fan to draw radon from beneath the house and expel it outside.
Crawlspace Encapsulation: Sealing foundation cracks and openings can help reduce radon entry, though it is typically used with other mitigation methods.
Improving Ventilation: Increasing airflow in crawl spaces and other areas can help disperse radon and reduce indoor concentrations.
Every structure needs a different radon mitigation approach. Be sure to consult with certified radon mitigation professionals, like The Radon Guys, to determine the best solution for your specific situation.
Reduce Radon Risk With The Radon Guys
Ensuring your home is free from elevated radon levels is crucial for the health and well-being of both your family and pets. Regular testing and, if necessary, professional mitigation can provide peace of mind and a safer living environment.
For Nashville and Middle Tennessee residents, we offer radon mitigation services tailored to your home's unique needs. With over 30 years of combined experience, we specialize in reducing indoor radon concentrations across various building types, including:
Residential Radon Mitigation: Customized solutions based on your home's foundation type to effectively reduce radon levels.
Radon Testing: Accurate assessments of your home's radon levels with expert analysis and recommendations.
Crawlspace Encapsulation: Enhancing air quality and structural integrity by addressing crawlspace conditions.
Worried about radon in your home? We can provide peace of mind. Schedule a test today, or contact us now to schedule your free radon mitigation estimate.
