Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is formed when
radium decays in the soil. Because Radon is a gas, it can easily seep into your home through cracks in the foundation
and directly through masonry or other surfaces. The air pressure inside your home is usually lower than pressure in
the soil around your home's foundation. Because of this pressure difference,
your house acts like a vacuum, drawing soil air in.
Any
home or building can have a Radon problem
This means new and old
homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.
Because so much time is spent there, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest Radiation
exposure at home. It is estimated that nearly 1 out of every 15
homes in the U.S. have elevated Radon levels. Testing is the only means
to determine if you have radon.
The Health Risks
Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can
become trapped in
your lungs when you breathe and which can later lead to lung cancer.
Smokers are at higher risk of developing Radon-induced lung cancer. The
American Lung Association estimates that Radon causes thousands of
lung cancer deaths in the United States each year. Radon is the second
leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. In 1998, the U.S. Surgeon
General recommended that all homes be tested for Radon. Radon is one of the
most hidden hazards in the home.
What Radon
gas is and where it comes
from