Radon is one of the most extensively investigated human lung carcinogens. The diversity and consistency of the information indicates that the weight of evidence for radon carcinogenicity is overwhelming.

A growing chorus of experts, including scientists testifying before the President’s Cancer Panel, investigators at the U.S. EPA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and leading health organizations are urging the EPA Administrator to use regulatory authorities authorized by Congress to protect citizens from lung cancer caused by indoor radon exposure. Nearly two decades after the passage of the 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA), exposure to indoor radon continues to grow. Given the Agency’s limited progress from its voluntary approach for the past 19 years, it is time for the Agency to consider other means…EPA should assess how it can use the authorities granted in law to achieve long-term IRAA goals or identify alternatives for achieving the desired results.

There is precedent for legislating practices to limit exposure to toxins in construction. The prohibitive use of lead-based paint in the U.S. is an example. The requirement of radon-resistant construction methods, at an approximate cost of $500 per home, is cost-effective when one considers potential savings in health care expenditures from disease prevention. The potential loss of a sale represents a disincentive for real estate agents and sellers to conduct radon tests during real estate transactions. Added expense represents a disincentive for builders to use radon-resistant new construction. Between 10 percent and 14 percent of all lung cancer deaths per year may be attributable to radon.

We’re asking a few [those home buyers who voluntarily test to bear a societal burden for all mitigation. Relying on buyers also does nothing to solve the problem of radon in schools and other municipal structures. Radon is one of the most extensively investigated human lung carcinogens. The diversity and consistency of the information indicates that the weight of evidence for radon carcinogenicity is overwhelming.
In the last half century, an estimated one million people in the United States have died from radon exposure, but the federal government still does not require radon testing prior to the sale of a home. The seat-belt laws in our nation have saved thousands of lives. James Baldwin said, ‘Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 22, 2009 — A growing chorus of experts, including scientists testifying before the President’s Cancer Panel and investigators at the U.S. EPA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) are urging the EPA Administrator to use regulatory authorities authorized by Congress to protect citizens from lung cancer caused by indoor radon exposure.

According to the 2008 OIG report entitled, More Action Needed to Protect Public from Indoor Radon Risks, efforts to reduce radon exposure through mitigation or building with radon-resistant new construction have not kept pace. “Nearly two decades after the passage of the 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA), exposure to indoor radon continues to grow,” states the report. “Given the Agency’s limited progress from its voluntary approach for the past 19 years, it is time for the Agency to consider other means…EPA should assess how it can use the authorities granted in law to achieve long-term IRAA goals or identify alternatives for achieving the desired results.”

In presentations to the President’s Cancer Panel (PCP) last month, leading scientists and public health officials echoed the OIG’s recommendations.

Dr. William R. Field, a professor and Epidemiologist at the University of Iowa told the panel, “There is precedent for legislating practices to limit exposure to toxins in construction. The prohibitive use of lead-based paint in the U.S. is an example. The requirement of radon-resistant construction methods, at an approximate cost of $500 per home, is cost-effective when one considers potential savings in health care expenditures from disease prevention ”

Dr. James B. Burch, an epidemiologist at the Arnold School of Public Health, urged the panel for a national radon standard that is enforceable. Captain Susan M. Conrath of the U.S. Public Health Service (EPA) testified that voluntary efforts are not enough and suggests requiring testing during real estate transactions.

Dr. Field stated in his presentation, “In a similar manner to smoking, where we are essentially allowing a ‘bioterrorist within’ to attack over a million Americans each year, radon is a ‘dirty bomb’ within our homes that attacks millions of people each year. Numerous cost/benefit analysies have clearly indicated that both mitigation of existing homes and adopting radon resistant new construction features can be justified on a national level.”

But, according to the OIG report, “The potential loss of a sale represents a disincentive for real estate agents and sellers to conduct radon tests during real estate transactions. Added expense represents a disincentive for builders to use radon-resistant new construction.”

Real estate agents have historically opposed proposed requirements for a radon test prior to purchase. According to the Associate General Counsel of the National Association of Realtors, testing for radon and/or disclosing test results during a real estate transaction adds an additional layer to an already taxing house buying process. This has created a disincentive for real estate agents and sellers to bring up radon issues during a sale. The representative said radon is not a high priority in many real estate transactions, and adding another step to the transaction process could be “a negative.”

According to the OIG recommendations, “Government-sponsored enterprises such as the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (also known as Freddie Mac), and Federal National Mortgage Association (also known as Fannie Mae) represent the largest source of housing finance in the United States. The construction of new homes financed or underwritten by these and other federal departments and agencies present a substantial opportunity to increase the number of homes built with RRNC or mitigated for radon.”

“Between 10 percent and 14 percent of all lung cancer deaths per year may be attributable to radon,” says Dr. Jay H. Lubin, Senior Health Scientist with the National Cancer Institute. “We’re asking a few [those home buyers who voluntarily test to bear a societal burden for all mitigation. Relying on buyers also does nothing to solve the problem of radon in schools and other municipal structures.”

Dr. Lubin writes in his testimony to the PCP that, “Radon is one of the most extensively investigated human lung carcinogens. The diversity and consistency of the information indicates that the weight of evidence for radon carcinogenicity is overwhelming.”

According to Dr. Field, if homes with radon levels above 2 picocuries per liter of air were mitigated, then about half of the radon-attributable lung cancer deaths could be prevented, but the current voluntary approach to risk reduction has been unsuccessful thus far.

“In the last half century, an estimated one million people in the United States have died from radon exposure, but the federal government still does not require radon testing prior to the sale of a home,” says Sara Speer Selber. President of BuildClean, a non-profit organization dedicated to safe and healthy homes. “Congress needs to act.”

Gloria Linnertz, of Cancer Survivors Against Radon, lost her husband Joe to radon-induced lung cancer in 2006. Since his death, Gloria seizes every opportunity to point out the need for radon legislation. “The seat-belt laws in our nation have saved thousands of lives. James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Our governments–state and federal–need to face the fact that radon gas is present in every state and that it causes lung cancer that quickly kills people.”

Read the full article: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/01/prweb1856104.htm

* Remedial measures should be undertaken in a dwelling whenever the average annual radon concentration exceeds 200 Bq/m3 in the normal occupancy area.

* The higher the radon concentration, the sooner remedial measures should be undertaken.

* When remedial action is taken, the radon level should be reduced to a value as low as practicable.

* The construction of new dwellings should employ techniques that will minimize radon entry and will facilitate post-construction radon removal, should this subsequently prove necessary.

Further, Health Canada will consult with stakeholders and the public on the need for a target for new construction. The proposed addition to the guideline would recommend that builders employ techniques to achieve a radon concentration less than 100 Bq/m3 in the normal occupancy area and facilitate post-construction radon removal, should this prove to be necessary.

Comments on the proposed target for new construction can be sent to radon@hc-sc.gc.ca or by mail at Radon, Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 1C1. The period for submission of comments will close on August 9, 2007.
Points of clarification

1. In addition to residential homes, the term “dwelling” in this guideline also applies to public buildings with a high occupancy rate by members of the public such as schools, hospitals, long-term care residences, and correctional facilities. The following settings are excluded from this guideline:

1. Uranium mines, which are regulated by the Next link will take you to another Web site Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission;

2. Other mines (e.g., fluorspar mines), which are regulated by provincial mining authorities; and

3. Other workplaces which would be addressed by existing guidelines for naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). Details are given in the Canadian Guidelines for Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) and a copy may be viewed or downloaded.

2. The “normal occupancy area” refers to any part of the dwelling where a person is likely to spend several hours (greater than four) per day. This would include a finished basement with a family room, guest room, office or work shop. It would also include a basement apartment. It would exclude an unfinished basement, a crawl space, or any area that is normally closed off and accessed infrequently, e.g., a storage area, cold room, furnace room, or laundry room.

3. The aim is to remediate and reduce the radon concentration to less than 200 Bq/m3. If the radon concentration is found to be greater than 600 Bq/m3, the remedial actions are recommended to be completed in less than a year; between 200 Bq/m3 and 600 Bq/m3, the remedial actions should be completed in less than two years.

4. “As low as practicable” refers to what can be achieved with conventional radon reduction methods in a cost-effective manner. This is consistent with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, whereby reasonable efforts are made to maintain radiation exposures as low as possible, with social and economic factors taken into consideration. In most situations, a final level less than 200 Bq/m3 will be readily achievable. In a small number of cases, it may happen that the application of all reasonable remediation techniques will still leave a residual radon level greater than 200 Bq/m3. It is not the intention of this guideline to recommend excessive or unreasonable remediation costs in order to achieve a marginal increase in benefit. Such situations should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

5. This Government of Canada guideline is based on the guidance approved by the FPTRPC. The guideline is based upon current scientific understanding. It will be reviewed and updated as appropriate. Further information on radon may be obtained from the appropriate federal, provincial or territorial contact.

AARST is a nonprofit, professional organization of members who are dedicated to the highest standard of excellence and ethical performance of radon measurement, radon mitigation and transfer of radon information for the benefit of members, consumers and the public at large.

http://www.aarst.org/

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), as part of the Health and Ageing Portfolio, is a Federal Government agency charged with responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people, and the environment, from the harmful effects of ionising and non ionising radiation

http://www.arpansa.gov.au/radiationprotection/Factsheets/is_radon.cfm

High Radon Levels in Castleisland, Co. Kerry

The Institute conducted a National Radon Survey between 1992 and 1999. Radon measurements were completed in 11,319 homes throughout the country. On the basis of the survey, it is predicted that approximately 91,000 homes will have radon concentrations in excess of the national Reference Level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3). To date less than 3% of these homes have been identified. The Institute continues to offer a radon measurement service to the public and homes with radon concentrations above the Reference Level are regularly identified.

A radon measurement made in a home close to Castleisland, Co. Kerry between May and July 2003 showed an average radon concentration of 49,000 Bq/m3. This compares with the previously highest measured concentration of 16,500 Bq/m3 recorded in Co. Wicklow in 1999. Since the commencement of the National Radon Survey in 1992, 12 homes have been identified with radon concentrations in the range 2,000 to 6,500 Bq/m3.

http://www.rpii.ie/radon/

HSE’s job is to protect people against risks to health or safety arising out of work activities.

Every day in the UK, all manner of radiation types are used in a diverse range of industrial, medical, research and communications applications and, although these have brought increasing prosperity to people living in the UK, some applications cause harmful exposure risks that must be effectively controlled.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is one of a number of public bodies which regulate work that causes or could cause radiation exposure of workers, the public or both. HSE’s inspectors advise, inspect, investigate and enforce in a flexible and proportionate way so that radiation exposure of employees and others, arising from work activities, is adequately controlled.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/index.htm

Health Canada is committed to raising awareness of radon and indoor air quality, the health effects of radon and the testing and remediation of dwellings in Canada. In this section, you will find the latest information on topics ranging from radon guidelines, radon fact sheets for both homes and workplace buildings, frequently asked questions and other radon-related issues.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/radiation/radon/index-eng.php

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is emitted as uranium breaks down in the soil. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless. Everyone in the United States has some level of radon gas in their home. There is a very low level of radon even in the outside air that we breathe.

Can it harm me and my family?

YES! The EPA has determined radon gas to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. (after the act of smoking).Any house testing at or over 4 picocuries(pCi)

Pronounced: pee-coe-cure-ees
Definition: Measurement of radioactivity. One picocurie is one million millionth, or a trillionth, of a curie and equals 0.037 becquerel, and represents about 2.2 radioactive particle disintegrations per minute. Hide

per liter needs to be fixed per EPA recommendations.The radioactive particles in the gas attach to your lung tissue and break down which can lead to cancer over the course of your lifetime. The amount of time between your exposure and the onset of cancer may be many years.

If you have smoked, or are a smoker, you are at greater risk for developing lung cancer. Children tend to be at a higher risk for developing cancer as well according to EPA radon information.

How does it get into my home?

Because it is a gas, radon seeps into your home through small cracks and holes in foundations, crawlspaces and slabs.All types of homes are susceptible, 2 story homes, colonials, bi-levels and ranchers.

Even houses with walk-out basements, crawlspaces or slabs can have a radon problem.

• Look at the US Radon Map
• Look at the Pennsylvania Radon Map

How can I determine my radon level?

Testing is the only way to determine your radon level. You may do your own test or have a professional company perform one for you. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your house will have levels the same as your neighbor’s - radon levels vary from house to house.

What needs to be done?

If a home’s radon level is 4 picocuries per liter or more, the EPA recommends a radon mitigation system (sometimes called radon remediation) to be installed.

A common method utilized to reduce the radon level is “sub slab depressurization”.  In this case, a suction point or points are determined and a pipe is inserted through the concrete slab floor.  This pipe is connected to other PVC piping and a fan is positioned on the pipe outside the living area. The fan then draws the radon gas from beneath the home and vents it to the outside.  A radon mitigation system can cost between $900-$2500.

Choosing a Mitigation Company

A qualified mitigation company is your best choice for installation of a radon mitigation system.

In many states, these companies or individuals are certified by a state regulatory agency such as the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection).  If this is not true in your state, then you should look for a qualified mitigator who is NEHA (National Environmental Health Association) certified.  When choosing a radon mitigation company, you should ask for their state or NEHA certification number, if they offer free estimates, and a warranty on the system.

Typically, the mitigation company will visit the home to determine the best configuration of the system and the size of the fan for the type of foundation the house is built on.  An estimate of cost for a system can then be determined.  After choosing the contractor, plan on 1-2 days for installation.

Life After Radon Mitigation

It is recommended that a radon mitigation system be tested after installation. A test may be performed after the system has been operational for 24 hours or more.  A short-term test is usually used for the initial test. In some cases, the estimate given by the contractor may include the retest by a professional company or radon test kits.

A follow-up test is suggested every year to monitor the system’s continued effectiveness.

Order a post-mitigation test kit.

Any homeowner can simply and easily test for radon gas in their home. If you choose, you may also hire a professional company to perform a test for you.Choosing a Qualified Professional
list coming soon

You may purchase test kits that give you instructions on where to place the test, under what conditions to test and how to get your results. If this is the first time you are testing your home, a short-term test is a good starting point to determine your radon level. This test lasts 2-7 days.

Order Test Kit
list coming soon

If you have tested your home before and desire to know your year round average, a long-term test may benefit you. These tests last 91 days to one year.

Order Test Kit
list coming soon

Sometimes in a real estate transaction, you will be given the opportunity to have a radon test done on the home you want to purchase. Because most agreements of sale are time sensitive, a short-term test (2-7 days) is usually preferred. Typically, a qualified professional testing company is hired by the buyer to perform the test on their behalf. Most testing companies can have results in 1-3 business days. A variety of testing methods can be used such as: Charcoal Canisters, Electret Ion (E-perms) chambers and Continuous Radon Monitors.Selecting a Professional Company
list coming soon

If a home seller had the home recently tested (within 2 years), be sure that the test was done properly, the device met EPA requirements and the results were analyzed by a reputable laboratory certified in your state. As a potential buyer, you will have to make a decision to accept those results or perform another test.

If you are having a home constructed, you may ask your builder to include some radon resistant features in the home. This may include:

• Gas permeable layer under the slab flooring
• Plastic sheeting
• Sealing and caulking
• Vent pipe
• Electrical junction box for fan

If your builder has “roughed in” the vent pipe and junction box, a fan and possibly additional piping can be added. The builder or a professional mitigation company can complete the system. It is advisable to test any new home AFTER construction is complete and preferrably after occupation. A home testing 4 picocuries or more should be mitigated.

More info on Radon Resistant Contruction
Radon Mitigation Systems: list coming soon
More mitigation companies will be listed here in the near future as well.

As a homeowner or home buyer, you may opt to have a trained professional test a home for radon levels. These companies must adhere to the state’s standards of protocol and practice, and be licensed or certified by the state. It is advisable to contact your state radon office for a current list of certified companies or individuals before choosing one.State Radon Offices

A professional testing company may offer one or several kinds of testing devices to their clients. They might include charcoal canisters, electret ion chambers, (e-perms), or continuous radon monitors. Prices may vary depending on the device used.

Contact a Company
list coming soon

What do you do? Call the inspector and make sure they perform a radon test. If it comes out high – that doesn’t mean you don’t buy the house, it just means that you have some bargaining power with the seller to get the problem fixed before it becomes your problem.

Most likely, the home inspector will use a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM). This is a special machine designed to give you an accurate radon reading in just two days. Many CRMs have tamper resistant features to help ensure an accurate and reliable reading. CRMs give you a valid assessment of the radon level during the time of the test. You can feel confident in the results.

It is important to remember, however, that radon levels vary at different times of the year, and can change from season-to-season. So, while the level may have been acceptable when the home inspector checked it, it wouldn’t be unusual to find different concentrations a few months later. To give you and your family an added measure of protection after move in, many people use a long-term radon test to supplement the home inspector’s short term test. These long-term tests are simple and easy to use. Further, the EPA recommends that you re-check your radon level at least every 24 months.

Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
EPA also tells us that there is no safe level of radon, and that it causes cancer. For more information about radon and its risks, visit the EPA site

How to protect yourself at home
To protect you and your family at home, you clearly need to know what your risk level is.

1. Be sure get a professional radon test from your home inspector.
2. The second step is to begin a long-term test of your home. Radon test kits are available from various sources, but long-term kits may be hard to find. There are other confusing choices: the question of how many test kits you need, and where to place them. There is a radon test wizard to help guide people through the process. The wizard has two animated characters, Rae the Radon Receptionist, and Dr. Don the Radon Professor, that lead you step-by-step through 7 questions. Based on your answers, the wizard then matches your home’s configuration to over 800 possible choices. The wizard then suggests the type, quantity, and test location(s) for your specific situation. Whatever approach you use, get your kits and follow the directions on the package.
3. It is likely that some areas of your home have higher concentrations than others. If your test result is above the EPA action level of 4 Pico curies per liter the EPA recommends having your home fixed.
4. Fixing your home involves reducing the amount of radon in your home. The best way to fix your home depends on its construction and how the radon is entering it. The good news is that radon reduction, or mitigation systems, are generally straightforward to implement.

In conclusion, you know you’ll be spending a considerable amount of your time in your new home. You also probably know the risks of radon exposure are very real. The key to understanding the severity of this threat is knowing your radon level. And, the only way to know your level, is to test. Don’t wait – test today.

There are basically four ways to establish a connection between a given material and a human health effect. They are:

1. A physical model that explains how the effect is delivered.
2. Animal studies showing a connection between the material in question and the effect.
3. Epidemiological studies showing the effects connection in humans.
4. A demonstrated opportunity for human exposure to the material in question.

In the case of radon, there is a very strong connection between exposure and an increased risk of contracting lung cancer. Let’s explore this evidence as it relates to each of the above four items.

Physical Model for Damage
Radon (222Rn) is chemically inert, but is highly radioactive with a half life of only 3.8 days. The short-lived radon decay products can be breathed in directly (unattached) or attached to particles of dust, lint or biological aerosols that are floating around in the air. Many of these decay products will be inhaled and adhere themselves to lung tissue. A portion of the alpha particles emitted will penetrate the lung tissue where cellular damage can occur.

The energy released by alpha particles can cause permanent damage to DNA molecules either physically or by chemical means. In most cases this damage causes the cell to die. Cells do however have the capability to repair themselves. There is a potential that damaged DNA will not be properly repaired and a mutation will occur. This mutation could be replicated in actively dividing cells, thus inducing lung cancer.

Animal Studies
Animal studies provide useful health effect evidence. This is because they show impacts in mammalian tissues and organs that are similar in structure and function to those found in humans. The advantage of course is that theses studies can be conducted without exposing humans to potentially dangerous substances.

Hundreds of animal studies using dogs, rats and mice have shown a strong positive correlation between lung cancer and radon exposure.

Human Epidemiology
Government recommended exposure levels for most known carcinogens are based solely on the first two kinds of evidence (physical model and animal studies). In the case of radon however, there are some human populations that can be studied to clearly assess the lung cancer connection.

The best epidemiological research has been occupational studies of various types of underground miners. The data collected from thousands of miners, carried out over 50 years worldwide has consistently and conclusively shown an increase in lung cancer risk with radon progeny exposure.

Residential case control studies have yielded similar findings. The Iowa Residential Radon Study, completed in May 2000, determined that even at the EPA Action Level of 4 pCi/l, an approximate 50% increase in lung cancer incidence was found. A 2002 Spanish residential study had similar results.

Demonstrated Opportunity for Human Exposure
US EPA has estimated that, on average, 15% of US homes have elevated radon levels. In addition high radon concentrations have been found in schools, work places and buildings of all kinds. The opportunity for human radon exposure is in every indoor environment.

Based on physical models, animal studies and human epidemiological studies; radon exposure has been positively linked to lung cancer. Health professionals agree that risk increases with higher concentrations and longer exposure times.

Putting This All Together
In conclusion, which ever way you look at the connection between radon and lung cancer there is a clear and present danger from radon exposure. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to radon test your indoor living environments.

HomeRadonTest.com provides a comprehensive web site to help families test their homes. Find out what type of radon test kits would be appropriate to your specific situation. If elevated radon levels are found, take immediate action to reduce exposure. Learn more about fixing a radon problem.

The evidence is in, and, unmistakably, there is a clear and present danger. What is the danger? Deadly radon gas. Although no one can conclusively say that radon killed Dana, there is strong evidence that supports this theory. Radon is one of the most researched of all carcinogens. This odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas is virtually everywhere in varying concentrations which are much higher indoors. The very fact that radon is radioactive is cause for alarm. The US EPA, NIH, CDC, and the Surgeon General all tell us that radon causes cancer and that there is no exposure level considered safe.

Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
According to the EPA, “In two 1999 reports, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concluded after an exhaustive review that radon in indoor air is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoking. The NAS estimated that 15,000-22,000 Americans die every year from radon-related lung cancer. Cigarette smoke makes radon much more dangerous.

“When people who smoke are exposed to radon as well, the risk of developing lung cancer is significantly higher than the risk of smoking alone. People who don’t smoke, but are exposed to second hand smoke, also have higher risk of lung cancer from radon indoors.”

These reports also show that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. But whether you smoke or not, radon induced lung cancer should be a health concern. Before you panic, however, it is important to know what your risk level is. The key to understanding your risk is knowing the radon concentration in your home, school, or workplace – the places where you spend most of your time. The only way to know your radon exposure for sure is to test.

How to protect yourself

1. The first step is to test your home. Radon test kits are available from various sources, but there are many confusing choices: short term vs. long term radon tests, the question of how many test kits you need, and finally where to place them. There is a radon wizard that has two animated characters, Rae the Radon Receptionist, and Dr. Don the Radon Professor, that lead you step-by-step through 7 questions. Based on your answers, the wizard then matches your home’s configuration to over 800 possible choices. The radon wizard then suggests the type, quantity, and test location(s) for your specific situation. Whatever approach you use, get your kits and follow the directions on the package.
2. It is likely that some areas of your home have higher concentrations than others. Also, radon levels vary at different times of the year. If your test result is above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter the EPA recommends having your home fixed.
3. Fixing your home involves reducing the amount of radon in your home. The best way to fix your home depends on its construction and how the radon is entering it. The good news is that radon reduction, or mitigation systems, are generally straightforward to implement.

In conclusion, whether you are a smoker or not, the health threat of radon in our indoor environment is very real. The key to understanding the severity of this threat is knowing your radon level. The only way to know your level is to test. Don’t wait – test today.

Radon is one of the most researched of all carcinogens. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. This odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas is virtually everywhere in varying concentrations which are much higher indoors. The US EPA estimates that more than seventy thousand (70,000) schoolrooms in use today have high radon levels. EPA also tells us that there is no safe level of radon, and that it causes cancer.

Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
According to the EPA, “In two 1999 reports, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concluded after an exhaustive review that radon in indoor air is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after cigarette smoking. The NAS estimated that 15,000-22,000 Americans die every year from radon-related lung cancer. Cigarette smoke makes radon much more dangerous.”

These reports also show that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Couple these studies with the fact that higher indoor concentrations of this insidious gas increases your chance of developing lung cancer should be concerning to everyone. It is important that students, teachers, and parents be aware that a radon problem could potentially exist in their school. An EPA nationwide radon level survey in schools estimates that nearly 1 in 5 has a high level. The key to determine if your school has a radon problem is to test for it.

What to do
Having your school tested is something you need to discuss with school officials. Insist that the school be properly radon tested according to EPA or your state’s guidelines.

To find out more about radon testing in schools, including more about health risks, how schools are tested, testing strategies, what happens if your school fails the test, see radon testing your schools.

How to protect yourself at home
Of course radon can be a significant health risk at home as well as in school. To protect you and your family at home, you clearly need to know what your risk level is.

1. The first step is to test your home. Radon test kits are available from various sources, but there are many confusing choices: short term vs. long term radon tests, the question of how many test kits you need, and finally where to place them. One internet site that focuses on radon testing, features a “radon wizard” to help guide people through the process. . The wizard has two animated characters, Rae the Radon Receptionist, and Dr. Don the Radon Professor, that lead you step-by-step through seven (7) questions. Based on your answers, the radon wizard then matches your home’s configuration to over 800 possible choices. The wizard then suggests the type, quantity, and test location(s) for your specific situation. Whatever approach you use, get your kits and follow the directions on the package.
2. It is likely that some areas of your home have higher concentrations than others. Also, radon levels vary at different times of the year. If your test result is above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter the EPA recommends having your home fixed.
3. Fixing your home involves reducing the amount of radon in your home. The best way to fix your home depends on its construction and how the radon is entering it. The good news is that radon reduction, or mitigation systems, are generally straightforward to implement.

In conclusion, whether you or your family are at school or at home, the risks of radon exposure are very real. The key to understanding the severity of this threat is knowing your radon level. And, the only way to know your level, is to test. Don’t wait – test today.

The most common radon-resistant feature is called a passive sub-slab depressurization system (SSD). This technique can reduce radon levels by as much as 50%. An upgrade system is called an active sub-slab depressurization system and includes an in-line fan to provide even further indoor radon reduction. These systems are simple to install during construction and use common building materials. No special skills or materials are required, only knowledge of the proper installation techniques.

A radon-resistant new home is a good investment for both the buyer and the builder. It costs about $200 - $500 to install a passive SSD system during construction. Many builders have reported installation costs of less than $200 if they are already using some of the techniques for moisture control or energy efficiency. Compare that to retrofitting an existing home where the cost is typically $1000 - $2800.

You Still Need to Do a Radon Test
All new homes need to be radon tested after occupancy. This is true even if the home was built using radon-resistant features. If high radon levels are found, a passive SSD system can be upgraded to an active system by installing a centrifugal in-line fan. Typically a passive SSD system will have an electrical junction box installed in the attic to easily facilitate the fan installation. The new home owners need to be given written maintenance instructions for their SSD system. Some builders will also sell this upgrade as a way to control moisture in basements and crawlspaces. Controlling moisture is the key to reducing mold and mildew.

Which Radon Test Device Should We Use?
A newly built home should be radon tested the same way any other home is tested. Radon testing is usually done in 2 phases. The first phase is called a screening test and the second phase is called a follow-up test. The radon screening test is a short-term test where the test devices are exposed between 2 and 90 days. I recommend builders provide the new home occupants with alpha track (AT) detectors. One AT detector should be placed on each livable level of the new home.

If you’re not sure how many AT detectors are needed or where they should be placed you may want to try the radon test wizard at www.homeradontest.com. This easy to use tool helps you choose the number and type of radon detectors needed for a particular home. The user is guided through the selection process by answering a few questions about the home to be tested.

The most important thing to remember is that you still must radon test a new home even though it has a passive SSD system installed.

These reports also show that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. This should be concerning to everyone. It is important that students, teachers, and parents be aware that a radon problem could potentially exist in their school. A nationwide EPA school radon survey estimates that nearly 1 in 5 schools have high radon levels. The key to determine if your school has a radon problem is to test for it.

Guidelines for Radon Testing Schools

1. Decide if the radon testing will be done by qualified professionals or school personnel.
2. If school personnel are to be used, will they be properly trained and certified? Is funding available to pay for training?
3. Estimate the number of test devices required by counting all rooms and offices at or below grade. For large open areas, such as gymnasiums and cafeterias, figure 1 detector for every 2000 sq. feet.
4. Multiply the number of radon test devices counted in Step 3 by 15% for QA/QC samples. Add this number to the total in Step 3.
5. The exact number of test devices required should be determined by a trained professional. The totals above can be used, however, by administrative staff to help determine the budget for the radon testing project. Download this helpful form to aid in this task: School Test Form. Remember to also budget for follow-up testing.
6. If funding is not available to properly test all of the buildings in the school district, then set up a multi-year schedule and budget accordingly. Do not partially test any given building or try to test only 1 or 2 classrooms. You must properly test the entire building or don’t test at all.

To find out more about radon testing in schools, including more about health risks, how schools are tested, testing strategies, what happens if your school fails the test. Find out more information at radon tests for schools.

In conclusion, whether you or your family are at school or at home, the risks of radon exposure are very real. The key to understanding the severity of this threat is knowing your radon level. The only way to know your level is to test. Don’t wait – test today.

Your next question of course is did my home pass the radon test. To answer this question we first have to know if this short term radon test kit result was a screening (your first) radon test or if it was a follow-up test.

Use these guidelines for a short term radon test kit screening test result to see if you pass radon test:

• If any of your screening short term radon test kit results are between 2 pCi/l and about 10 pCi/l, then you did not pass radon test. You should retest all key living areas of your home for up to 1 year. Use our model AT-100 long term radon detector kits.
• For short term radon test kit results are above 10 pCi/l, you should do a follow-up test in all key living areas with another short term radon test kit because you did not pass radon test. Because your screening short term radon test kit results are more than twice the EPA action level, we recommend the ST-300 short term radon test kit for your follow-up test.
• If your short term radon test kit results are below 2 pCi/l (75 Bq/m-3) then you pass radon test. You should consider doing a year long test with a long term (AT-100) radon detector or retest with a short term radon test kit (ST-100) during a different season.

Use these guidelines to see if you pass follow-up radon test:

• If you followed-up with a long term test and your result is 4 pCi/l (150 Bq/m-3) or more, US EPA says you should fix your house. You did not pass radon test.
• If you followed up with a second short radon term test kit: The higher your short term radon test kit results, the more certain you can be that you should fix your home. You should probably fix your home if the average of your first and second test is 4 pCi/l (150 Bq/m-3) or higher. You did not pass radon test.

• The professional digital radon detector is capable of printing the test results out in a paper report type format.
• The digital radon detector is sensitive enough to print out accurate results on an hourly basis.
• The professional digital radon detector not only measures radon gas, but also measures other environmental conditions such as ambient temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity.
• Most professional radon test equipment will come into secular equilibrium within 2 to 4 hours. This is necessary because most real estate radon inspections only last for 2 days.
• In general, a professional digital radon detector will cost at least $1000 and some will cost many thousands of dollars.
• A professional digital radon detector requires regular calibration.

So what if you’re a homeowner who has a radon remediation system and you want to use a digital radon detector to continuously monitor key living areas of your home. At Home Radon Test.Com we have the perfect solution. It’s our new Pro Series III digital radon detector. This digital radon detector was specifically designed for long term use in a home. Here are some of the key features of the Pro Series III digital radon detector:

• Our home digital radon detector has an easy to read LED display. No paper printout tape.
• The home digital radon detector has both short term and long term operating modes.
• An 85 dB audible alarm alerts you if your radon levels get too high.
• Our digital radon detector does a self-test every 24 hours so there’s no need for calibration.
• For a minimal price you can have a digital radon monitor in key living areas of your home. As a minimum you should put at least one on each floor.

You see anyone can take a do-it-yourself radon testing kit and throw it in a box and send it to you. But as a retailer of radon kits, Home Radon Test believes you need adequate information before you buy your do-it-yourself radon testing kits. You need to know if you should choose short-term or long-term do-it-yourself radon testing kits. (Learn more about short-term and long-term do-it-yourself radon testing kits.)

Also, your retailer of radon kits should help you decide how many do-it-yourself radon testing kits you will need to accurately test your house. Radon levels can vary not only from day-to-day and season-to-season, but they can vary significantly in different locations in your home. Since every home is different and living patterns vary, most online retailers of radon kits can’t really help you choose the right number and kind of do-it-yourself radon testing kits you will need to accurately test your home.

At Home Radon Test, we are the only retailer of radon kits that gives you an online wizard to help you decide exactly how many and what kind of do-it-yourself radon testing kits you will need to get an accurate idea of your health risk from radon.

If you do need to fix your home, the repair (mitigation) contractor will want to see your follow-up test results. This will help him choose the best repair method. The more home radon information or data that you collect with your follow-up test the better informed you and your home radon mitigation contractor will be.

The Longer the Home Radon Test the Better the Home Radon Test
In general, the longer the home radon test the better the home radon test. This is because home radon levels can vary from day-to-day and season-to-season and of course in different parts of your home.

If your screening test was less than 10 pCi/l, we recommend doing your follow-up test between 90 days and 1 year using the Model AT-100 alpha track home radon detectors.
If you need your home radon test results sooner, then you should use our 2 day Model ST-100 home radon test kits. But the ideal home radon test should last for 1 year. Of course you can get the best of both worlds by using both types of detectors at the same time.

Long Term Home Radon Tests Are Done Under Normal Living Conditions
Home Radon tests done for more than 90 days are called long term home radon tests. If your screening test result was less than 10 pCi/l you will probably be using several alpha track home radon detectors for your follow-up test. Since this home radon test will be done for more than 90 days then the test should be done under normal living conditions unlike the “closed-house” conditions used for your screening test.

Test the Same Rooms as Your Screening Test
Your follow-up home radon test should always include the same locations you tested during your screening test. In addition you should always home radon test the footprint of your house. The footprint is the place or places where your home contacts the ground. For example, if you have a basement family room you should test there. If you have a basement and a crawlspace you need to test in the basement and the room above your crawlspace. Never put a home radon test in a crawlspace.

You should only home radon test livable areas of your house. Do not test in garages, dirt floor basements, root cellars, crawlspaces or the like. An example of a livable area might be a bedroom or a playroom. Also an unfinished basement would be considered livable if children could play there.

Also Home Radon Test Rooms Where You Spend the Most Time
Most people don’t spend all of their time in the lower levels of their home. So in addition to testing your houses footprint, you should also home radon test other key living areas in your house. These “key living area” tests are called profile measurement because they help give you a better idea of your home radon exposure based on the way you live in your house. For instance, you may only spend an hour or two a day in your basement family room, but you might spend 7 or 8 hours a day in your second floor bedroom.

Your Home Radon Test.Com test kits come with complete placement instructions. But in general, home radon test kits should be placed towards an inside wall, out of direct sunlight and away from drafts cased by doors, windows and HVAC ducts. The home radon test kits should be placed on a table or shelf between knee and shoulder height.

Does Your Water Come From a Well?
If your home’s water comes from either a private or a public well you should consider testing that water for radon. Use the WT-100 home radon water kit to send us a water sample for analysis.

EPA has conducted extensive research on the presence and measurement of radon in schools. Based on these studies, EPA has recommended that all schools nationwide be home kit radon tested for the presence of radon and to reduce levels below 4 pCi/l.

The detection devices used to test schools are basically the same as home radon test kits. The difference between home kit radon tests and those used for schools and large buildings is the way they are packaged. Home kit radon tests are packaged with individual instructions and data sheets for each home radon test kit. School and large project test kits are generally packaged in bulk trays of 100 each since each classroom must be tested.

Home radon test kits come in a short-term model (ST-100) and a long-term model (AT-100). The short-term home radon test kit has an exposure period of 2 - 5 days. Whereas the long-term home radon test kit can be used for 1 month up to 1 year. These exposure times are of course the same for schools. There are also home radon test kits for soil and for water.

Home radon test kits can also be used for school science projects. Students can use the home radon test kits to check the radon levels of family, friends and neighbors homes. Then they can report the home radon test kit results back to the class.

1. To get an accurate radon level when you measure radon, always read and follow the test kit manufacturer’s instructions. Pay particular attention to the test kit’s exposure time. Some radon kits let you measure radon for as little as 2 days and some can measure radon for up to 1 year. If you expose a 1 year test kit for only 2 days, you will not get an accurate radon level.
2. Be sure to measure radon in different parts of your home. You would generally expect the radon level in your basement to be higher than the upper floors in your home. You must still however measure radon in all of your homes key living areas. This is because you probably don’t spend 100% of your time in the basement. We recommend checking your radon level in upstairs bedrooms and playrooms in addition to measuring your radon level in your basement.
3. More information means a more informed decision about your radon levels. The more places in your home that you measure radon the more information you will have about your family’s radon level exposure. Get as much information as you can about your radon levels before you decide about radon remediation.
4. If you are planning to measure radon as part of a real estate transaction, you will need to follow some special rules to get an accurate radon level. Be sure to use our model ST-200 radon kit to measure radon when buying or selling a home. You may also want to hire a professional to measure the radon level in the home you are planning to buy.
5. Don’t forget to measure radon in your water. If your water comes from a public or private well, be sure to check the radon level in your water. Use our model WT-100 radon in water test kit.