It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up.
- What can affect radon levels?
- What causes radon levels to increase?
- What can throw off a radon test?
- What is the most likely source of radon in a house?
- What factors affect the amount of radon in a room?
- What can cause radon levels to increase?
- Who is most exposed to radon?
- What health risks are associated with exposure to radon?
- What type of cancer is most associated with exposure to radon?
- How does temperature affect radon testing?
What can affect radon levels?
Experts recommend testing for radon during the colder months because radon levels are historically found to be higher. There are many factors that affect radon levels including shifting climatic conditions, temperature, atmospheric pressure, precipitation and even construction or reconstruction.
What causes radon levels to increase?
Weather – changing temperatures and wind can affect the pressure difference between indoor air and ground air. This is important because radon traditionally leaks into the house from ground air. If temperature differences and wind cause negative pressure in the house, indoor radon levels are likely to increase.
What can throw off a radon test?
Turn off all air moving devices during the test. This would include ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, regular fans, HEPA or any other kind of filtering device that moves air. Do not operate fireplaces or heating stoves during the test unless they are your main source of heat.
How Dangerous Is Radon To Your Health?
What is the most likely source of radon in a house?
The main source of indoor radon is radon gas infiltration from soil into buildings. Rock and soil produce radon gas. Building materials, the water supply, and natural gas can all be sources of radon in the home. Basements allow more opportunity for soil gas entry than slab-on-grade foundations.
What factors affect the amount of radon in a room?
The presence of radon and its daughter products in houses are due to various sources including building materials and the soil under the houses. Many factors affect radon concentration in our houses, the elevation above ground level, ventilation, building materials and room usage being among these factors.
What can cause radon levels to increase?
Weather – changing temperatures and wind can affect the pressure difference between indoor air and ground air. This is important because radon traditionally leaks into the house from ground air. If temperature differences and wind cause negative pressure in the house, indoor radon levels are likely to increase.
What Causes High Radon Levels In A House?
Who is most exposed to radon?
The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is estimated at between 10 to 20 times greater for persons who smoke cigarettes as compared with those who have never smoked. Theory holds that everyone is at risk from radon exposure, and this health risk increases linearly with dose.
What health risks are associated with exposure to radon?
Radon gas decays into solid radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you inhale them. As they break down further , these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime.
Everything You Need To Know About High Radon Levels
What type of cancer is most associated with exposure to radon?
Radon decays quickly, giving off tiny radioactive particles. When inhaled, these radioactive particles can damage the cells that line the lung. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer, the only cancer proven to be associated with inhaling radon.
How does temperature affect radon testing?
The level of radon can commonly be elevated in the warmer months. The reason that radon levels can go up and down in the summer is because of a temperature change, though this one is less extreme. During the day, the sun beats down and heats up the house from the outside in, but at night, there is a rapid cooldown.