What is Radon?Radon (Rn) is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is produced through the decay and natural breakdown of Uranium and other sediments. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible gas. Although most commonly found in the earth and released into the air, Radon can contaminate water sources that are exposed or contain uranium sources.
Where is Radon?Radon is typically found in the earth and various rocks. Because Radon is produced through the decay of uranium, it can be found is nearly every rock. However, when Radon is produced outdoors, it is not as dangerous. When outdoors, Radon levels are naturally reduced through it interaction with the atmosphere, dissipating and causing no health risk.
However, Radon can be found in many homes across the United States, especially in Nashville. Since Radon is produced through soil and sediment decay, many buildings become affected by it if their home has poor ventilation and tight insulation. Radon can seep up through the spaces in floorboards, through cracks in foundations, or through the space in between walls and sheetrock.
Natural Sources of RadonThere are a range of natural sources that produce Radon as they begin to decay. Namely:
Although Limestone has been found to carry low levels of Radon, it is not as common for high levels of Radon to be produced from limestone decay. It is also important to know that Radon is not only produced from natural sources, but can also be produced through man-made structures.
Radon likes to sit under buildings, but if there are cracks in the flooring, holes in the walls, spaces between piping or sheetrock, or even if you have a welled-water-source, Radon can contaminate the air or water in your home. It most commonly affects poorly ventilated, highly insulated, low elevation homes, but the levels of Radon concentration vary depending on location.
Radon in Drinking WaterAlthough Radon is more commonly found in soil and igneous rocks, there is a possibility that your water may be contaminated with Radon. City water is not as much of a concern because it goes through a strict decontamination and filtering process, but well water sources can become contaminated if the well is in direct contact with uranium containing soil or rocks.
If your water source is in contact with Radon containing soil or rocks, Radon can dissolve in the water. When well water is pulled through a house whether through the shower, sink, bath, etc. the gas escapes the water and enters the air. Although not as common, it can still pose a health concern if the levels are beyond the recommended 2.6 pCi/L.
What Affects Radon Levels?High levels of Radon can be dangerous. The United States Surgeon General’s Office has discovered that over 21,000 deaths have been caused by Radon related lung cancer every year. Radon is a radioactive gas so its concentration is measured by pCi/L or Picocuries per liter.
There are many factors that come into play when discussing Radon levels and their fluctuations. Radon levels typically rise during the colder months of the year. Fall and Winter are heavy rain seasons and at times produce snow and ice. During these seasons, the rain and snow create a capping effect on the ground. This means that the ground can be broken apart releasing and revealing the gases and other substances trapped underneath.
Does Radon Have any Health Effects?Yes! Radon is a respiratory irritant and can be potentially very dangerous to your overall health. Many people who are exposed to excessive levels of Radon can experience various forms of respiratory effects or even develop lung cancer. A vast majority of people who have been exposed to Radon do not notice any change in their health until it’s too late.
As mentioned above, Radon outside of the home is not a major concern. But if your home has been found to have a higher concentration of Radon, it is important to consider seeking mitigation or abatement service.
Because high Radon exposure has been linked as being one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States—over 21,000 deaths are reported each year from Radon related illnesses—it is important for you to consider the health effects of Radon exposure and/or poisoning.
How to Get Rid of RadonThere are many options available for you to test your home and begin the mitigation process.
Radon TestingAre you concerned you may have a Radon problem within your home? Consider Radon testing from a professional Radon testing and mitigation company. They are capable of getting results back to you or your business usually within a few days to a little over a week.
Types of Radon TestingThere are two primary ways to conduct short-term Radon testing: continuous Radon monitors (CRMs) and Charcoal tests. Although CRMs are the preferred method, they are both valid ways to determine whether or not your Radon levels are too high. Each form of testing will produce results within 48 hours to 10-14 days depending on the company you choose or whether you do the testing yourself.
Radon MitigationAlthough the mitigation process relies on several different factors depending on the state of your house and the way it is built, there are typically three ways to mitigate Radon: foundation fans and piping, basement or slab-on-grade depressurization or sub-slab suction and piping, or a vapor barrier that will be placed in your crawl space. All of these forms of mitigation are proven to reduce the levels of Radon in your home and create a safe environment for your family or business.
Want More Information?Consider visiting our website: Radon 1 from https://www.radon1.com/where-is-radon-found/
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