Key Takeaways
- Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by decaying uranium underground and poses long-term health risks like lung cancer, especially for smokers.
- Radon typically infiltrates homes or businesses through cracks in the foundation, crawl spaces, basements, gaps around pipes, well water, building materials, or unsealed utility penetrations.
- Radon in residential or commercial properties can be detected using short-term test kits, long-term detectors, or professional-led testing with specialized equipment that offers more detailed results.
- Sealing foundation cracks, improving ventilation, maintaining drainage systems, installing sub-slab depressurization systems, and incorporating radon-resistant features in new construction can reduce radon exposure.
Learning About Radon and Its Origins
There are many myths surrounding radon, especially regarding where radon comes from. In truth, this naturally occurring gas typically forms underground as a byproduct of uranium decay. It can rise through soil and penetrate cracks and openings in buildings, finding its way inside basements, crawl spaces, or other parts of residential or commercial properties.
In addition to the soil beneath the foundation, radon can be found in various locations, including well water, building materials, and gaps created for utilities. There are several ways to detect radon, from short-term testing kits to long-term detectors and professional testing services that employ advanced equipment.
By catching radon early and scheduling follow-up radon services, property owners can minimize health risks like lung cancer. The approach a professional takes for radon mitigation depends on the source—they may seal openings, increase ventilation, or install a sub-slab depressurization system.
The helpful guide below explains what radon is, where radon comes from, and the potential dangers it poses, along with how it can be detected and the most effective ways to reduce or prevent exposure.
Radon Overview
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that comes from uranium. It is virtually impossible to detect without specialized equipment. Knowing how it forms and what impact exposure may have can help people make informed decisions about their property and health.
How Does Radon Form?
Radon is typically released during the natural breakdown of uranium, which can occur in soil, rock, and water underground. As it is released, this radioactive gas can travel upward through porous soil and find its way into buildings that have structural openings. Once inside, radon is known to accumulate in the lowest-lying parts of the property, such as basements or crawl spaces, because this gas is typically heavier than the air around it.
Why Does Radon Matter?
Prolonged exposure to high levels of radon can fuel health complications. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after cigarette smoking. The fact that radon exposure does not usually cause immediate symptoms is the main reason it affects so many people. Radon-related health concerns usually gradually build, making it essential to schedule regular testing and as-needed radon mitigation.
Common Sources of Radon Entry in Homes or Businesses
Typically, radon enters residential and commercial properties through the following avenues—it is vital to have these potential sources routinely tested.
Soil Beneath the Foundation
The soil beneath structures is widely considered the most common source of radon in homes or businesses. As it moves up through the soil, radon gas can enter through openings in the foundation, such as cracks in concrete slabs or spaces around pipes.
Well Water
Depending on your property’s location, nearby groundwater may contain radon. If radon has infiltrated the water supply of a well, it can make its way inside through sinks, showers, laundry units, or dishwashers and ultimately be released into the air.
Building Materials
Sometimes, concrete, stone, brick, and other construction materials contain trace amounts of uranium. As time elapses, these materials may emit small quantities of radon as their uranium contents break down. Nevertheless, building materials are typically considered a less significant source of radon.
Crawl Spaces and Basements
Radon is denser than air, so after it seeps upward into a structure, it usually settles in low-lying areas with minimal ventilation, making crawl spaces and basements particularly prone to radon accumulation.
Utility Penetrations
Radon frequently enters properties through gaps created for utilities, such as plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, or sump pumps. It is important to ensure these openings are properly sealed to avoid the infiltration of radon gas.
Health Risks of Radon Exposure
Historically, prolonged radon exposure has contributed to various health complications. Read through the following considerations to understand the health risks of radon exposure.
Lung Cancer Risk
As mentioned earlier, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The risk of developing lung cancer is even higher for individuals who routinely smoke and are also exposed to radon for long periods.
No Immediate Symptoms
Radon exposure typically does not cause headaches, nausea, or other short-term symptoms, making it different from many hazardous gases like carbon monoxide. Therefore, to identify dangerous levels of radon reliably, you have to perform regular testing.
Risk Factors
Some examples of conditions that may increase your risk of radon exposure are:
- Living in a high-radon area
- Spending a lot of time in the basement or lower level of your property
- Having poor ventilation
- Living in an older property with structural cracks
Areas Most at Risk for Elevated Radon
Some examples of areas that are at high risk of developing elevated radon levels are:
- Basements and crawl spaces – Since these areas are in direct contact with soil and often lack substantial airflow, they are at a higher risk of radon accumulation.
- Properties in high-radon zones – Certain regions are naturally more prone to elevated radon levels due to geological factors like the uranium content in the soil. EPA offers a Radon Zone Map to help identify high-risk areas in the U.S.
- Tightly sealed structures – Many modern, energy-efficient properties minimize air leaks, which is generally a good thing, but this also means that radon has fewer ways to escape, potentially leading to higher indoor levels.
- Older properties with cracks – Properties with aging foundations, shifting components, or worn-out seals around pipes and joints may make it easier for radon gas to enter.
Especially in the areas mentioned above, it is crucial to look for signs of radon in your home or commercial property, such as respiratory problems in inhabitants.
How to Detect Radon in Your Home or Business
The three most common ways radon is detected in homes or businesses are shown below. However, it is important to note that short-term DIY radon kits are not as effective as long-term detectors or professional-led testing, which can offer unmatched accuracy.
Using Short-Term Radon Testing Kits
Testing kits are considered inexpensive and easy to use. Most short-term kits usually only require users to place a device in the lowest livable area of a residential or commercial property for 2 to 7 days before sending it to a lab for analysis.
Placing Long-Term Radon Detectors
Differing from the short-term test above, long-term detectors typically remain in place for 90 days or more. In turn, this provides a more accurate, averaged-out measure of your property’s radon levels over time.
Scheduling Professional Radon Testing
For the most precise and comprehensive results, property owners should schedule professional radon testing. A certified radon professional has a high level of knowledge and access to advanced equipment, like continuous monitors, to accurately identify specific sources or fluctuations in radon levels.
Radon poses a sneaky threat to your home and health. Alpha Environmental ensures peace of mind with expert radon testing and mitigation.Avoid the Risks of Radon In Your Home
Radon Mitigation and Prevention Strategies
Some of the most effective ways to reduce radon in your home or business are listed below.
Seal Cracks and Openings
One of the simplest methods to reduce radon levels is sealing any cracks or gaps in your foundation, basement walls, and utility penetrations. You should use specialized caulk or polyurethane foam to close up any visible openings, no matter how small.
Install a Sub-Slab Depressurization System
Although it requires more upfront work than sealing openings with caulk, adding a sub-slab depressurization system is usually the most effective and highest recommended mitigation technique for radon issues. The process involves installing a vent pipe and fan that draws radon gas from beneath the foundation, expelling it at a safe distance above the residential or commercial property.
Increase Ventilation
Many ventilation systems, including heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), can help dilute radon concentrations because they are designed to bring in fresh outdoor air and send stale indoor air outside as exhaust.
Maintain Drainage and Moisture Control
Controlling the moisture levels in the lower parts of your property can limit radon buildup by reducing hydrostatic pressure in the soil. To do this, make sure your gutters, downspouts, and land grading are effectively directing water away from the structure. Additionally, you may benefit from installing a sump pump.
Check New Construction for Radon-Resistant Features
If you are building a new property, you may be able to incorporate radon-resistant construction techniques. For example, you should ask your builder about adding gas-permeable layers under your foundation, plastic sheeting, or vent pipe systems.
When to Call a Radon Professional
If you believe you may have radon accumulating in your property, you should always turn to a qualified professional for help. Still, some situations may be more urgent than others. The three most common scenarios that warrant contacting a radon professional are:
- Consistently high test results – If your property consistently tests at or above EPA’s action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter, you should hire a professional to design and install a mitigation system.
- Real estate transactions – When buying or selling a home or commercial property, radon testing is an integral part of the inspection process, because it builds buyer confidence and ensures regulatory compliance.
- Basement finishing projects – If you plan to finish or renovate a basement, you should test for radon first, because you are bound to use that low-level area more after the project, potentially increasing your exposure risk.
Once hired, experienced professionals should tailor the radon remediation process to your specific situation to ensure the highest chance of success possible.
Take Action Against Radon
So, to recap: where does radon come from? The natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater is the most common culprit. Due to its underground presence, radon can enter homes or commercial properties through the foundation or water supply.
Although radon presents health risks, exposure is preventable. You should work with an environmental professional you trust to ensure radon levels are accurately tested and the proper mitigation measures are taken.
Alpha Environmental Services has been helping the people of Portland, Oregon, and surrounding cities detect and mitigate radon for several years. If elevated radon levels are found, there is no need to panic—our skilled team can help you with mitigation to reduce levels effectively and affordably. Using time-tested techniques, we can address potential radon accumulation to safeguard your family’s health or facilitate a real estate transaction.
Contact Alpha Environmental to schedule dependable radon testing and mitigation services in the greater Portland area.
