Silent but Deadly

 

 

 

Everything You

Need to

Know About Radon!

 

 

 

 

Tennille B.

Northern University High School

UNI

 

 

 

What is Radon?

Radon is an

• Odorless
• Tasteless
• Colorless

Radioactive gas caused by decaying uranium that is naturally occurring in Iowa’s soil. Radon gas is produced when radium decays. This decay turns into many other radioactive elements. Each time this decaying occurs, radioactive alpha particles are given off. It is these alpha emitters that are responsible for the damage to our health.

Effects On Your Health

Radon can cause many health problems, but most only occur after being exposed to radon for long periods of time. Since we breathe most of the radon gas we’re exposed to, our lungs are most likely to be affected. When radon is inhaled, the particles trapped continue to break down and release radiation that can damage lung tissue. In the United States it was found that the number two cause of lung cancer was due to the exposure of radon gas. 21,000 die of this cancer each year. Smokers are more susceptible to develop cancer if exposed to high radon levels for long periods of time, compared to non-smokers.

How Radon May Enter Your Home

This gas is given off from the soils and rocks near most house foundations where there is empty space. It will then seep through walls, up holes and through pipes and dwell in the lower levels of homes. Throughout the winter season radon levels are the highest, because the radon builds up due to the poor ventilation.

Likely Places for Radon to Enter a Home

• Cracks in concrete slabs.
• Floor-wall joints.
• Exposed soil
• Mortar joints
• Loose fitting pipe
• Open tops of block walls.
• Building materials, such as brick, concrete and rock

   

Testing Your Home for Radon

Since there are no physical signs of radon gas, the only way to tell if your home has unhealthy levels of radon is to test it. These tests can be done on your own and inexpensively for under 10 dollars. Each test kit comes with its own set of easy to follow direction. These tests can be ordered from many websites on the Internet concerning radon gas, or may be purchased from a local hardware store. For best results, place the test kit on the lowest level or you home, where the radon levels are highest.

What do Your Results Mean?

After completing your test, you will have found the level of radon present in the area tested. Levels of radon are measured in pCi/L or picocuries per liter. The normal level of radon in U.S homes is 1.3 pCi/L. You should only be concerned if your level is higher than 4.0 pCi/L. If you have levels between -

4.0 – 20.0 pCI/L action to reduce radon should be taking with in a few years.

Ways to Make Sure Your House is Safe

There are many ways to ensure that your house reaches and/or maintains a healthy level or radon. The best approach is to contact a professional. They may suggest some of these strategies for removing radon, which is also known as mitigation.

• Soil Suction – draws radon up from under the house or foundation with the use of hoses and pipes
• House Pressurization- uses fans to create pressure differences in the air, which keeps radon from entering the area.
• Heat Recovery Ventilator- works by bringing in air from outside, and incorporates into the air already inside. This helps bring fresh air in to replace the air contaminated with radon.

Radon in Iowa Homes

Many test done over years have concluded that Iowa has the highest overall levels or radon in the United States. 70% of the homes in Iowa have radon levels that are over 4.0 pCi/L. Of the 21,000 annual deaths that radon exposure leads to, 200 of them would occur in Iowa.

Where to Find More Information About Radon

There are many informational websites on the Internet about radon gas, its effects, and how to eliminate them. Some of these are:

- http://homebuying.about.com/

- http://www.heimer.com/index.html

- http://www.radon.com

Or call:

1-800-SOS-RADON 

For Information Concerning Radon In Iowa