Radon: The Deadly Household Gas
Written By: Dylan K.
Cedar Valley-
Radon, the gas that is found in all homes across the nation, was found in the Cedar Valley, in some cases, in alarming amounts. In one such case a level of 36.7 p/Ci was discovered. This is extremely high considering that according to the EPA, any building with a radon level over 4.0 p/Ci is to have it mitigated. That is, have a system installed so that the radon is released into the outside atmosphere instead of the building, since radon comes up from the ground.The EPA has set the acceptable level because being exposed to a high level of radon for long periods of time, say 5-10 years, increases your risk of lung cancer by a considerable amount.
Dr. Stone's Chemistry class at NU High School, recently collected radon data from a number of Cedar Valley homes. The data was recorded on a spreadsheet which students, in turn, analyzed as part of an assignment. There was data from over one hundred homes. This spreadsheet had information like the year the house was built, the foundation type and the condition of the foundation on it.
From the information given to me, there is no evidence that the age of the building has anything to do with the level of radon in the building. This is the same situation with the number of cracks in the foundation, and the type of foundation. The only thing that is proven by the study was that radon varies from building to building so much that it is possible for one building to have a level of 16 p/Ci and the building next to it has a level of 2 p/Ci.
The following charts present the data collected from the testing in terms of percentages so that they can accurately be compared against the other categories.
Radon Levels Based on Age of Building
|
|
Low Levels £ 4 |
Med. Levels ³ 4.1 £ 8 |
High Levels ³ 8.1 |
|
Pre 1950 |
26% |
50% |
24% |
|
1951-1980 |
21% |
47% |
32% |
|
1982-Present |
42% |
50% |
8% |
Radon Levels Based on Condition of Foundation
|
|
Low Levels £ 4 |
Med. Levels ³ 4.1£ 8 |
High Levels ³ 8.1 |
|
No Cracks |
20% |
38% |
42% |
|
Few Cracks |
28% |
59% |
13% |
|
Quite a Few Cracks |
36% |
46% |
18% |
Radon Levels Based on Depth of Foundation
|
Depth |
Low Levels £ 4p/Ci |
Med. Levels ³ 4.1 £ 8 |
High Levels ³ 8.1p/Ci |
|
5- |
32% |
58% |
10% |
|
6+ |
25% |
48% |
27% |
Radon Levels Based on Type of Foundation
|
|
Poured Concrete |
Blocks |
Rock |
Mixed Foundation |
|
Low Levels £ 4 |
16.66% |
25% |
50% |
25% |
|
Med. Levels ³ 4.1£ 8 |
66.66% |
52% |
12.5% |
75% |
|
High Levels ³ 8.1 |
16.66% |
23% |
37.5% |
0% |
From these charts it becomes apparent that none of these factors appear to have anything to do with the radon levels. That is why no matter how well kept a building is, it needs to be tested for radon and fixed if necessary.
The only fix for a radon problem is mitigation. Mitigation is a procedure done when a building has a level of radon exceeding the EPA’s standard. Mitigation reduces the level of radon in the building to safer levels. If you need any additional information on mitigation, contact Mallon Construction.
For additional information on radon and its dangers, go to www.epa.gov.