Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in trace amounts in the atmosphere. When naturally occurring radioactive elements in soil and rocks (like uranium and thorium) start to decay, radon gas is released.
Radon is colorless, odorless and generally harmless if you’re exposed to it outdoors. However, the gas can make its way into homes and buildings through cracks and holes in the foundation, where it then gets trapped.
Prolonged radon exposure can cause serious health problems. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. for non-smokers, which is why it’s important to test for radon and install a radon mitigation system to reduce radon levels in your home or business.
At Alpha Environmental, our professionals have the experience and equipment to properly test harmful indoor radon levels, and will recommend the best radon system for your home or business. View our radon testing services or contact us today to schedule a free estimate from one of the most reliable radon mitigation companies in Portland.
Safe Amounts of Radon
In the outdoors, radon naturally occurs at an average of 0.4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air). The average home has about 1.3 pCi/L of radon, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicated that nearly 1 in 3 homes checked in 7 states had radon levels over 4 pCi/L, which is the level at which the EPA recommends installing a radon mitigation system in your home or building.
Getting Rid of Radon
You can’t completely remove radon from your home or building, but you can install radon reduction systems to reduce radon concentrations to a safe amount.
What is a Radon Mitigation System?
A radon mitigation system installation will either:
- Prevent radon from entering your home
- Reduce existing radon levels and ultimately prevent radon levels in your home from increasing
Two types of radon mitigation systems exist:
- Active systems include a fan to expel radon from your basement or crawl spaces. Active radon mitigation systems are designed to reduce high levels of radon gas in a building.
- Passive systems use ventilation to circulate air through your basement/crawlspace. Passive radon mitigation systems are better suited for new construction buildings, which are ideally properly sealed to help prevent radon from entering. Passive systems can be upgraded to an active system after installation if needed.
Radon in the Home
The average level of radon for homes in the state of Oregon is 3.1 pCi/L. The EPA estimates that roughly 4–7 people could get lung cancer from being exposed to a lifetime of radon levels above 2 pCi/L. Those numbers multiply significantly if you smoke.
Since the EPA recommends radon mitigation between levels of 2 and 4 pCi/L, you may want to consider installing a radon system to help keep radon levels down. You can have a professional test the radon levels in your home to help you decide which type of radon system will work best for you.
You can have a professional test the radon levels in your home to help you decide which type of radon system will work best for you.
Commercial Radon Mitigation
As a property owner, you’re responsible for making sure all buildings are safe and habitable for occupants, which includes keeping radon levels from becoming too high. Installing a radon system will help keep radon within recommended levels on your property.
While most states don’t have regulations around radon testing and mitigation for schools, the EPA recommends regular radon testing at schools and installing a radon system if levels exceed 4 pCi/L to keep students and school staff safe.
New Construction
If you’re building a new construction home or business, proactively installing a radon system is the best way to keep radon from building up inside the building.
If you decide on a passive radon system, make sure the professional tests radon levels after installation to make sure it’s working properly.
Contact Us for Radon System Installation
At Alpha Environmental, we take radon testing and mitigation seriously. Our equipment is significantly more accurate than DIY radon testing. Plus, our radon mitigation technicians have the right training and certification to properly install radon mitigation systems, ensuring they’re up to code and won’t result in radon re-entering your building.
Call us at (503) 292-5346 or contact us online to schedule a free estimate.
The cost of radon mitigation varies depending on the size and design of the home. In general, radon mitigation costs range from $1,000 to $3,500 for installation, with average prices falling somewhere between $1,500 and $2,000. The annual cost of operating the system is usually relatively minimal.
Yes, a radon mitigation system is necessary if your home has high radon levels, as it reduces the risk of lung cancer by lowering indoor radon exposure.
Radon mitigation is typically not covered by homeowners insurance, but it’s advisable to check with your insurance provider to confirm your policy details.
Professional installation is recommended to ensure the system is effective and complies with local building codes and regulations.
