Radon Testing

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What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. You can’t see or smell radon.

Radon is a colorless, chemically-underactive inert gas. It easily penetrates common household and building materials such as paper, leather, low-density plastic (e.g., plastic bags), most paints, sheetrock, concrete, mortar, tar paper, wood paneling and most insulations. It is fairly soluble in water and organic solvents. This radioactive gas is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium. It is usually found in igneous rock, soil and well water.

Health Effects of Radon Gas and Radon Poisoning

What risk factors can make a person more susceptible to radon?

Many factors influence the risk of radon-related lung cancer due to exposure, such as:

The U.S. EPA, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, and National Safety Council have concluded that radon gas exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The first leading cause is cigarette smoking. Scientists estimate 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year are related to radon. People who breathe in radioactive particles, swallow water with high radon levels or are exposed to radon for a long period of time are susceptible to lung damage and lung cancer.

Lung cancer isn’t the only adverse health effect of radon exposure over time. Several other cancers are linked to radon exposure. Other respiratory diseases, such as tuberculosis, are also related to long-term exposure to radon. Genetic abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive issues have also been tied to radon.

Radon in the Home

Human exposure to radon is primarily through inhalation and ingestion. Radon in soil, groundwater and building materials enters living spaces and over time disintegrates into its decay state, producing radon gas. Radon is most potent when humans are confined in an enclosed building such as homes, office buildings and schools.

Many older homes have a natural potential for high levels of radon gas. Studies show newer buildings also have high radon gas levels.

Although radon occurs naturally in the environment, people who live in a house with high radon levels are exposed to much higher concentrations. The adverse effects of radon don’t show up immediately. Radon can cause major health problems when ingested or inhaled over time.

The media recently reported that elevated levels of radon were discovered in local area school buildings. The Oregon legislature passed a law in 2015 requiring that all school districts perform testing for radon by 2020. So far, Portland Public Schools have tested over 800 rooms and found 121 rooms that exceed the EPA’s standards of 4 pCi/L. Those locations require further long-term testing.

Portland area homes show excessively high levels of radon gas. In fact, one out of every four houses in the Portland area have levels of radon gas that exceed the EPA-recommended level. It’s a frightening statistic that is double the national average.

Portland area homes

show excessive levels of radon gas

Radon Testing

Radon is a national environmental health problem and elevated radon levels have been found in every state. The US EPA estimates that approximately 8 million homes throughout the United States have elevated radon levels.

In its preventative lung cancer suggestions, The Mayo Clinic recommends to “have the radon levels in your home checked,especially if you live in an area where radon is known to be a problem.”

Radon testing is the only way to assess your level of exposure. Radon can have a big impact on the indoor air quality of your home and the health of your family.

Lowering high radon levels often requires technical expertise and special skills, which is why the EPA recommends using a state or nationally certified contractor. Healthy Home technicians are certified and have the depth of experience to accurately test for radon gas in your home.

Tell me about radon test kits…

Radon test kits can be valuable tools to document the average concentration of radon over a set period of time. These kits can collect quality samples and give a homeowner good information. Once a solid baseline is established, a decision can be made about further testing.

Healthy Home radon specialists are here to help homeowners live in safe and healthy homes.

How can Healthy Home help you and your family?

Healthy Home professionals are certified radon mitigation experts who can accurately test your home for elevated radon levels. Once conclusive results from our certified labs are reviewed, we will help you decide the proper course of action for radon removal and show you how to improve the indoor air quality in your home.

Let us help you keep your home safe. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.