Facts about Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that comes from deposits of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air, but when trapped in buildings, can be harmful, especially at elevated levels. Radon is a radioactive decay product of radium, which is a decay product of uranium.  Uranium and radium are both common elements in soil.

Most indoor radon enters homes from the soil or rock beneath it when Radon and other gases rise through the soil and get trapped under the house. When warm air rises naturally inside the home, it creates a vacuum in the lower areas of the house. The natural reaction to this vacuum is air from beneath the structure containing radon is sucked up into the home through openings (cracks, doors, windows) on the lower levels. Radon gas enters the same way air and other soil gases enter the home; through cracks in the foundation floor or walls, hollow-block walls, and openings around floor drains, heating and cooling ductwork, pipes, and sump pumps. Once inside, the radon can become trapped and concentrated.

Outdoor air that is drawn into a building can also contribute to the indoor radon level. However, the average outdoor air level of radon is normally so low that it does not create a problem

Radon may also be dissolved in water, particularly well water. After coming from a faucet, about one ten thousandth of the radon in water is typically released into the air. The more radon there is in the water, the more it can contribute to the indoor radon level.

Trace amounts of uranium are sometimes incorporated into materials used in construction. These include, but are not limited to concrete, brick, granite, and drywall. Though these materials have the potential to produce radon, they are rarely the main cause of an elevated radon level in a building.

Radon has been found in elevated levels in many counties throughout North Carolina. However homes in the coastal plain of North Carolina usually have low radon levels, while the upper piedmont and mountain areas have the greatest proportion of homes with elevated levels of radon.

Radon Resistant New Construction If you are building a new home, Radon Reduction in New Construction (RRNC) Techniques can be employed to ensure radon levels will not be elevated. A passive system (without a fan) can be installed during construction. After construction, a radon test should be conducted.  If the radon level is elevated and the radon reduction system needs to be activated, it will be easy to activate the system by installing a fan since the basics of the systems are already in place. The EPA has a document with technical guidelines entitled "Building Radon Out" which is available online. A print copy can also be sent to you by contacting Radon Coordinator, Radon Specialist.

Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US behind smoking. It is estimated that radon causes about 15,000 deaths per year.

The health risk from radon occurs when it is inhaled. Radon gas decays or breaks down into radioactive particles which can damage lung cells and lead to lung cancer. Lung cancer risk is based on years of exposure and the concentration of radon to which one is exposed. The higher the radon level and number of years of exposure, the greater one's risk of developing lung cancer.

Breathing radon does not cause any short-term health effects such as shortness of breath, coughing, headaches, or fever.

Research suggests that swallowing water with high radon levels may pose risks, too, although risks from drinking water containing radon are much lower than those from breathing air containing radon. For a more detailed discussion about radon health risks go to the EPA Health Risk Chart.

While radon problems may be more common in the upper piedmont and mountain counties of North Carolina, any home may have an elevated radon level. New and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements can have a problem. The only way to determine the level is to conduct a radon test.

Source:North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services