A little about Radon

What is Radon?

Radon is a type of radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, water, and rock and gets into the air one breathes. Typically, radon gas accumulates from the ground and can seep into your house through cracks in your foundation, crawl spaces, and sump pumps. Radon gas is found in homes all across the United States and is a type of gas that occurs naturally, something you cannot taste, see, or even smell.

This being said, homes new or old, big or small, can all have high/dangerous levels of radon gas. This is why it is so important to have your home tested!! According the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1 out of every 15 homes has been tested as having elevated levels of radon exposure in homes across the United States. The EPA recommends that any homes that are tested at or above 4 picocuries per liter, or pCi/L, or higher should immediately seek a radon professional. Radon levels between 2 & 4 pCi/L can still pose a serious risk and should be treated appropriately.

Below you will find a map of homes with elevated levels of radon, categorized in three different zones. This map illustrates geographically high levels of radon, separated in three distinguishing zones. The categorization for these zones are measured by five factors; indoor radon measurements, geology, aerial radioactivity, soil permeability, and foundation type. Regardless of whether or not your county or location is classified as having high/low levels of radon gas—as mentioned earlier—each home is unique and regardless of the geographic location or designation all homes should be tested.

Radon-Zones

What do the colors mean?

Zone Color Risk
Zone 1 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) red zones Highest Potential
Zone 2 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L orange zones Moderate Potential
Zone 3 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L yellow zones Low Potential

Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/wisconsin.html

 

Radon Exposure and the danger of it!!!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General’s Office have estimated that more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon and that it is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Below is a bar graph to help illustrate the damaging affect elevated levels of radon gas is having on the U.S. in comparison to many other common tragedies.

Radon-danger

Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html

Radon exposure can be even more dangerous for those individuals that spend a great majority of their day inside their homes. Although radon gas does gather outside, elevated and dangerous radon levels can only accumulate when the gas is concealed inside a restricted space such as a basement, or a crawl space. Radon exposure can pose an even greater danger to those that are smokers because the elements from the radon gas attach to the cigarette smoke creating a lodge in the lungs overtime.

Below is a chart indicating the risks for those that both smoke and have elevated levels of radon gas in their homes.

Radon and Smoking: Radon Risk If You Smoke

Radon Level If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*… The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**… WHAT TO DO: Stop smoking and…
20 pCi/L About 260 people could get lung cancer 250 times the risk of drowning Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 150 people could get lung cancer 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 120 people could get lung cancer 30 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 62 people could get lung cancer 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home
2 pCi/L About 32 people could get lung cancer 6 times the risk of dying from poison Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L/td>
1.3 pCi/L About 20 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L About 3 people could get lung cancer (Average outdoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)

Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

Radon Risk If You Have Never Smoked

Radon Level If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*… The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to**… WHAT TO DO:
20 pCi/L About 18 people could get lung cancer 20 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
10 pCi/L About 150 people could get lung cancer 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire Fix your home
8 pCi/L About 15 people could get lung cancer 4 times the risk of dying in a fall Fix your home
4 pCi/L About 7 people could get lung cancer The risk of dying in a car crash Fix your home
2 pCi/L About 4 person could get lung cancer The risk of dying from poison Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L
1.3 pCi/L About 2 people could get lung cancer (Average indoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)
0.4 pCi/L (Average outdoor radon level) (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.)

Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html

Call Becker Bros. Radon to get Tested

For the best results in lowering the radon levels in your home, call Becker Bros. Radon, LLC. (262) 308-4192 or (262) 331-0287 to test for radon – it’s easy and inexpensive.

Radon Test $75

Radon Mitigation Systems typically range from $800-$1500

Free estimates!