What types of homes have the most radon?

Answer: All types of houses can have radon problems-old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements and homes without basements. Construction materials and the way the home has been built may also affect radon levels, but this is rare.


Where is radon the highest in home?

Radon levels are often highest in the lowest part of a home or building, so testing in the basement or first floor is a good place to start. Fix your home if a test shows elevated radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L. Find a certified contractor, get cost estimates and fix spaces with an elevated radon level.

What makes a house more likely to radon?

The radon source you should be most wary of is the soil beneath your home. What causes radon is the decay of radioactive elements that naturally occur in rocks and stones in the soil. If there is radon in the ground below your home, it will find its way through cracks, gaps, and porous materials into your home.


What type of building is most affected by radon?

Radon levels are generally highest in cellars and basements because these areas are nearest to the source and are usually poorly ventilated.

What is the most common way radon gets into homes?

Radon is a radioactive gas. 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.


Radon & Real Estate: What is Radon?



What states have the most radon?

Below are the top five states with the greatest radon levels based on data from several sources.
  • Alaska: 10.7 pCi/L. ...
  • South Dakota: 9.6 pCi/L. ...
  • Pennsylvania: 8.6 pCi/L. ...
  • Ohio: 7.8 pCi/L. ...
  • Washington: 7.5 pCi/L.


Should I walk away from a house with radon?

Should you walk away from the deal? Consumer Reports says you don't have to. Radon-related deaths are due to exposure over the course of a lifetime. "You should definitely take it seriously but you really don't need to walk away from the home.

What foundation type has no radon risk?

Earth-based building materials such as solid stone materials, cast concrete, concrete masonry, brick, and adobe ordinarily are not significant sources of indoor radon.


Are old homes more likely to have radon?

While looking for a new home, it can be easy to assume that radon is an issue only older homes could face, but this would be false. The truth is, radon is around us all the time, and knowing your home's radon levels, old or new, is crucial to you and your home's health.

Are older homes more susceptible to radon?

Answer: All types of houses can have radon problems-old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements and homes without basements. Construction materials and the way the home has been built may also affect radon levels, but this is rare.

Do air purifiers detect radon?

Air Purifiers are great for mold, dust, allergies, bacteria and viruses, and odors, but many people do not know that they can also help with toxins, gases and chemicals such as radon. The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter.


How do you know if radon is affecting you?

If you think you've been exposed

Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you've been exposed to high levels of radon, it's very important to quit smoking.

How long does it take for radon to affect you?

It may take years before health problems appear. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon causes 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Radon is the leading environmental cause of any cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking.

What time of year is radon highest?

Indoor radon levels are normally at the highest in the winter or colder months because of the thermal stack effect, a snowy barrier, and tightly sealed homes. Cold temperatures increase the pressure within the home, meaning more air is being pulled in from the ground, which elevates the risk of radon entering the home.


How do I lower radon levels in my home?

Other Ways to Reduce Radon
  1. Increase air flow in your house by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air. ...
  2. Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose.


What type of soil has the most radon?

Granitic type soils present higher levels of radon gas.

Does radon stay in walls?

Radon decays into solids, not gases, and can stick to surfaces. These solids can settle on home furnishings, floors, walls, and other materials, as well as on dust particles suspended in the air.


Is radon worse at night?

During the day, the sun beats down and heats up the house from the outside in, but at night, there is a rapid cooldown. This results in slightly higher radon levels during the day, rather than at night.

Does radon make your house smell?

You can't see radon gas. You can't smell it. But it's dangerous. Breathing in high levels of radon can raise your risk of lung cancer.

What blocks radon?

Sealing and Caulking: Seal all openings, cracks, and crevices in the concrete foundation floor (including the slab perimeter crack) and walls with polyurethane caulk to prevent radon and other soil gases from entering the home.


Does concrete floor stop radon?

Radon can enter through cracks in the concrete, or through floor-to-wall joints or control joints. Since many Illinois homes use their basements as living space, exposure to radon can be further increased. But radon can enter a home regardless of whether or not there is a basement.

Can radon pass thru concrete?

Radon, soil gasses, and water vapor will easily pass through any openings, cracks, gaps, drains, or thin concrete (rat slabs) in the basement.

Does opening windows get rid of radon?

As a temporary solution, however, you can reduce radon levels simply by opening windows. Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open.


At what level should I worry about radon?

EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that Americans consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.

Does radon have to vent above roof?

Vents must be above the roof surface. Vents must be 3 m or greater above the ground. If vents are not at least 0.6 m above windows, doors, or other openings that could allow radon to reenter the home, they must be at least 3 m away from such openings.