Feature Articles - Housing
January is Radon Action Month – Resolve to Test
Bobbi Hauptmann, Architectural Studies, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri; Updated by Barbara Buffaloe, LEED A.P., M.S., extension associate & resident instructor, Architectural Studies, University of Missouri Extension
You can't see it, smell it, or taste it; however, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is a radioactive gas formed as a result of natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. It can be found, in various concentrations, all over the United States.
Since families spend most of their time indoors during the winter months, it is important to test your home for radon. According to Greg Crable of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon levels will change depending on weather, not necessarily temperature, so any time of the year is a good time to think about testing your home.
Testing is the only way to determine if you are at risk. Before calling the professionals in, certified radon contractor, J.P. Miller suggests using two home test kits simultaneously to help rule out error. Activated charcoal tests take two to three days, and then the packets are sent to the manufacturer for your results. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions specifically to ensure accurate results.
Testing is simple and convenient, taking only a few minutes of your time, with the use of kits that are widely available. You can purchase test kits at most home improvement and retail stores for approximately $15. You can also now get free radon test kits through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS): http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Radon/. Register to receive a free radon test kit at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Radon/FreeTestKit_Registration.html.
The EPA recommends installing radon reduction systems in homes with concentrations of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or greater. However, radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk and may be reduced through radon reduction systems.
If you are concerned about the level of radon in your home, it is recommended that you hire a qualified tester for further analysis and for recommendations on ways to reduce this cancer-causing, radioactive gas. Radon levels can be reduced by up to 99 percent with proven methods that can be as simple as sealing cracks in your foundation and other openings. Radon contractors can help with the correct system, depending upon the design of your home.
More information on this topic may be found in the University of Missouri Extension Ag Guide Radon: An Indoor Health Hazard?
Sources:
- http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/index.html
- Phone interview, January 20, 2005, Greg Crable, US EPA Region 7
- Phone interview, January 20, 2005, J.P. Miller, Certified Radon Mitigator
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Last update: Monday, January 04, 2010
