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Radon Basics
What is radon? Where does it come from?
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced as one of the stages of the natural decay of uranium into lead. Because soil in many areas contains minute traces of uranium, trace amounts of radon can seep into your house through cracks or holes in the basement, from your crawl space, or from high radon levels in well water.
Why should I be concerned about radon?
Radon is radioactive. It can also get caught up with dust and get stuck in the mucus in your lungs. As the radon continues to decay it produces high energy alpha particles, which can damage your lung tissue and cause cells to mutate.
For short periods of time, low or moderate exposure to radon is not overly harmful. But if you are exposed every day in your house or business, the exposure can add up over time to an increased chance of your getting lung cancer.
Studies have been done to determine just how harmful normal exposure to radon is. Careful government studies have also shown that radon is currently the second leading cause of lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoking. Thus, elevated levels of radon in your house or business are something to be concerned about.
What are safe levels of radon?
The EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) has set a threshold for the Radon concentration above which their tests show that an individual has an increased risk for lung cancer over a lifetime of exposure. The EPA's current threshold concentration for radon is 4.0 pCi/L. This is read as “4 picoCuries per liter” of air. This is a very small amount. If your house test results are above this amount, it is suggested that actions be taken to reduce radon concentrations.
Note: Sometimes test results are expressed in Working Levels (WL) rather than picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). 4 pCi/L is equal to 0.02 Working Levels.
Across the US, the average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more than outdoor levels. While this goal is not yet technologically achievable in all cases, most newer homes today can fairly easily be reduced to below 4 pCi/L.
Radon Measurement
Am I required to test for radon?
No, you are not required to test your home for radon. However, as high radon levels can increase your chance for lung cancer, testing and appropriate action, if necessary, is a good idea. Thus, the EPA recommends that every real estate transaction of a home in the United States includes a Radon test.
How do I find out what the radon level is in my house?
Many factors such as season, weather, distance from a source and indoor activity influence radon levels. This unfortunately means that you cannot accurately estimate your radon levels from that of neighboring houses. The only way to know how much radon is in your home is to measure it.
What are the different tests for radon?
There are many different ways to measure radon and each method has different advantages and disadvantages. These methods can be lumped into two different categories: Short and long term testing.
Short-term testing is the quickest way to test your home. Short-term tests remain in your home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device. “Charcoal canisters,” “alpha track,” “electret ion chamber,” “continuous monitors,” and “charcoal liquid scintillation” detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level.
Long-term testing will give you a reading that is representative of you your home's year-round average radon level. Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. “Alpha track” and “electret” detectors are commonly used for this type of testing.
Mitigation Systems
How can I lower the levels of radon in my house?
Reduction of the radon that enters your house is a fairly simple process. Basically, a vapor barrier is added or improved between the ground and your basement or crawlspace and piping and a small fan is used to reroute the radon laden gas from underneath this vapor barrier to an outside vent on the top of your house. The radon that is already in your house will continue to naturally and quickly decay and will be mostly gone within a week.
[ Click HERE to see pictures of some of systems we have installed.]
Who should I get to install my radon mitigation system?
When you look for a contractor to reduce the radon in your house, look for a contractor who:
is NRSB (National Radon Safety Board) & NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) certified.
(Will use the guidelines set by the EPA for Radon mitigation in your home.)
Knows all the local ordinances regarding radon mitigation, piping, wiring, etc.
Has a substantial amount of experience fitting Radon mitigation systems into houses like yours – each house is different and requires subtle but important customizations in your radon mitigation system.
Drennen Custom Contracting is NRSB & NEHA certified, knows all of the local ordinances and has completed over 2000 installations of radon mitigation systems in Fort Collins and the Northern Colorado area! Contact us!
How long does it take to install a system?
A radon mitigation system can usually be installed within one working day.
How expensive are these systems?
Most of the systems we install fall into the $700 to $1700 range.
Is there a guarantee on these systems?
YES! All of our systems are guaranteed to function for 5 years as designed and that the radon concentrations in your house will be reduced to below 4.0 pCi/l (annual average).
How can I be sure the radon level has been reduced?
The EPA recommends a third party test be completed no sooner than 7 days after the work had been completed. However, as part of our installation, we will test your radon levels for you to make sure the system is working properly.
How can I get an estimate, consultation or schedule a radon measurement or mitigation?
Just give us a phone call at 970-482-9100
or
Contact us by e-mail.
