The Hidden Danger of Radon

It’s invisible. It has no smell or taste. And it’s deadly. Yet many people have never even heard of it this toxic gas, and don’t realize that it may be in accumulating in their homes.

The problem is radon, and it’s estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year. According to the EPA, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States–over 21,000 deaths per year. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke, and your home also has high radon levels, your risk goes up drastically.

What is radon?
Radon is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. Radon gas from natural sources often accumulates in buildings, especially in closed-in spaces such as basements and attics. It can also be found in some spring waters, hot springs and wells.

Radon is present all over the United States, but some areas have higher areas of radon risk than others. Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. This EPA map of radon zones indicates risk levels, from Zone 1 (high) to Zone 3 (low). Here’s a state-specific risk level maps and local resources for Oregon and Washington:

  • Oregon: Most counties in eastern Oregon are Zone 2, while those in western Oregon are generally Zone 3.
  • Washington: The state of Washington has counties in all three zones–the highest concentration of Zone 1 counties is in the northeast corner of the state.

Even if you don’t live in a high risk zone, the EPA recommends that you test your home. Why? It’s simple: thousands of individual homes have elevated levels of radon regardless of the zone they’re in.

How does it get into your home?
Because radon is a naturally occurring element, it’s literally everywhere. However, it accumulates in your home and seeps into living areas through:

  • Cracks or holes in solid floors
  • Construction joints and cracks in walls
  • Gaps in suspended floors and around service pipes
  • Cavities inside walls

Radon can also get into your home through your water supply. According to the CDC, most radon-related deaths are due to radon gas accumulation. However, 30 to 1,800 deaths per year are attributed to radon from household water.

Risky levels of dissolved radon can be found in the groundwater in areas where water flows through granite or gravel formations. If you live in an area with high radon levels in the groundwater, it can also get into your water supply. Showering, washing dishes, and laundering can disturb the water and release radon gas into the air you breathe.

If radon is emitted from uranium, which is often found in granite, what about that new granite countertop in your kitchen? According to the EPA, some granite used for countertops may contribute to indoor radon levels because they emit gamma radiation above typical background levels. While the EPA says that the existing data is insufficient to conclude that the types of granite commonly used in countertops significantly increase indoor radon levels, they say they are continuing monitor and analyze the evolving research.

How can you test for it?
While radon is dangerous, you shouldn’t panic–however, you should test the levels of radon in your home to find out if you’re at risk. You can find local companies or individuals that provide radon measurement or mitigation through the EPA.

Hometown offers radon testing as a standalone service or in addition to a home or mold inspection. Contact us for more details. Some state programs offer low-cost or free testing kits–talk to your state radon contact for more information.

What can you do about it?
If your home has a radon level of 4 picocuries of air or more, you should take steps to fix your home and bring the level down. Radon levels in indoor air can be lowered in a number of ways:

  • Sealing floors and walls to preventing radon from moving from the basement or attic into living areas
  • Using a radon sump system in the basement to remove the gas through pipes to the exterior
  • Installing a positive pressurization or positive supply ventilation system to improve the overall ventilation of your house

The EPA recommends preventing radon from getting in at all. For example, soil suction prevents radon from entering your home by drawing it from below the house and venting it through a pipe. Any repairs made to decrease radon levels should be made by a certified contractor. Get more details from the EPA’s Consumer Guide.

Learn More
Five Common Dangers in Portland Oregon Homes
The Basics of Good Ventilation