Free Estimates
Click or Call Now
800-890-3043

Radon mitigation services

Based in Carmel New York we service all of Eastern New York State and Western Connecticut.

Radon testing services

If you have a private well: EPA recommends testing your drinking water for radon. Call or send us an email we can test your drinking water for you.

FAQ

Are we sure that radon is a health risk?

Describe the radon epidemiological studies?

How can you find a qualified radon service provider in your area?

How do I know if my radon mitigation system is working properly?

How do we know radon is a carcinogen?

How does radon get into your home?

How much can a radon mitigation system cost?

How often should I test/retest my home for radon?

How reliable are Do-it-Yourself radon test kits?

Should I be concerned about the accuracy of radon test kits?

Should I test the soil for radon before building?

What about radon and radioactivity in granite countertops?

What about radon in schools?

What about the NPR Story on Radon?

What are the health effects from exposure to radon?

What can you tell me about "Radon Therapy"?

What did the National Academy of Sciences have to say about radon?

What is EPA's Action Level for Radon and What Does it Mean?

What is National Radon Action Month? When is Radon Action Week?

What is Radon?

What is the average level of radon found in homes in the U.S.?

What is the debate on radon?

What is the radon hotline?

Where can I find tribal IAQ resources and materials?

Where does radon come from?

Where I work we manufacture products from granite and other natural materials. Should I be concerned about radiation in my workplace?

Why must radon be vented into the air above my home's roof?

Are we sure that radon is a health risk?

EPA already has a wealth of scientific data on the relationship between radon exposure and the development of lung cancer. The scientific experts agree that the occupational miner data is a very solid base from which to estimate risk of lung cancer deaths annually. While residential radon epidemiology studies will improve what we know about radon, they will not supersede the occupational data. Health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Surgeon General , the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, and others agree that we know enough now to recommend radon testing and to encourage public action when levels are above 4 pCi/L. The most comprehensive of these efforts has been the National Academy of Science's Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI) Report (see www.epa.gov/radon/beirvi.html). This report reinforces that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and is a serious public health problem. As in the case of cigarette smoking, it would probably take many years and rigorous scientific research to produce the composite data needed to make an even more definitive conclusion.
Read more about radon health risks at www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

Describe the radon epidemiological studies?

To have a reasonable certainty in the conclusions, many thousands of cases are required to detect the increased risk of lung cancer due to radon. This is because the more things that cause a disease the harder it is to separate one cause from another, thus it takes many cases to pinpoint the risk from each separate cause. The U.S. Public Health Service radon experts estimate that 10,000 to 30,000 cases, and twice as many controls would be needed to conduct a definitive epidemiologic study of residential radon lung cancer risk. The residential studies conducted to date have all included between 50 and 1500 cases and thus have been too small to provide conclusive information.

Some years ago this same process was used to detect an increased risk of lung cancer due to cigarette smoking. It took many years of study to make the positive link between the cause and effect of smoking and lung cancer. Most of the increased lung cancer risk is attributable to smoking through mathematical modeling. The research process for smoking was very laborious. However, radon's process is even more challenging because radon's contribution to increased lung cancer risk (12%) is difficult to see against the large background of lung cancer due to other causes, which include smoking, asbestos, some heavy metals and other types of radiation; i.e., detecting radon-related lung cancer is like trying to detect a 12% increase of sand on a beach already full of sand.

Finally, it is difficult to accurately determine radon exposures in residential settings since we are estimating past exposures from current measurements. The number of required study participants increases with the difficulty in determining the exposure.

Why are residential epidemiology studies of radon so complicated?

There are many factors that must be considered when designing a residential radon epidemiology study. It is very expensive and often impossible to design a study that takes all the pertinent factors into consideration. These factors include:

• Mobility: people move a lot over their lifetime; it is virtually impossible to go back and test every home where an individual has lived;
• Housing Stock Changes: over time, older homes are often destroyed or remodeled, thus radon measurements will be non-existent or highly varied; a home's radon level may change, higher or lower, over time if new ventilation systems are installed, the occupancy patterns are substantially different, or the home's foundation shifts or cracks appear.
• Inaccurate Histories: often a majority of the lung cancer cases (individuals) being studied are deceased or too sick to be interviewed by researchers. This requires reliance on second-hand information which may not be as accurate. These inaccuracies primarily affect:
  
  
  • Residence History: a child or other relative may not be aware of all residences occupied by the patient - particularly if the occupancy is distant in time or of relatively short duration. Even if the surrogate respondent is aware of a residence they may not have enough additional information to allow researchers to locate the home.
  • Smoking History: smoking history historically has reliability problems. Individuals may under-estimate the amount they smoke. Conversely, relatives or friends may over-estimate smoking history.
  • Other: complicating factors other than variations in smoking habits include an individual's: genetics, lifestyle, exposure to other carcinogens, and home heating, venting and air conditioning preferences.

How can you find a qualified radon service provider in your area?

If you are interested in finding a qualified radon service professional to test or mitigate your home, or you need to purchase or have questions about a radon measurement device, you should:

1. Contact your State Radon Contact (go to www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html and click on your state to get contact information) to determine what are, or whether there are, requirements associated with providing radon measurement and or radon mitigations/reductions in your State. Some States maintain lists of contractors available in their state or they have proficiency programs or requirements of their own.
   
   
2. Contact one or both of the two privately-run National Radon Proficiency Programs (listed below alphabetically) who are offering proficiency listing/accreditation/certification in radon testing and mitigation.

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)
National Radon Proficiency Program
Toll Free: (800) 269-4174 or (828) 890-4117
Fax: (828) 890-4161
Website: www.neha-nrpp.org/
E-Mail Address: angel@neha-nrpp.org

The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)
Toll Free: (866) 329-3474
Fax: (914) 345-1169
Website: www.nrsb.org   
E-mail Address: info@NRSB.org

[Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government.]

If you have further questions about Radon, please call your State Radon Contact or the National Radon Information Line at: 1-800-SOS-RADON [1 (800) 767-7236]

How do I know if my radon mitigation system is working properly?

There are several methods that a contractor can use to lower radon levels in your home. Some techniques prevent radon from entering your home while others reduce radon levels after it has entered. EPA generally recommends methods which prevent the entry of radon. Soil suction, for example, prevents radon from entering your home by drawing the radon from below the house and venting it through a pipe, or pipes, to the air above the house where it is quickly diluted.

We offer some tips on what to look for to check the contractor's work at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html Checking Your Contractors Work

Similar to a furnace or chimney, radon reduction systems need some occasional maintenance. You should look at your warning device on a regular basis to make sure the system is working correctly. Fans may last for five years or more (manufacturer warranties tend not to exceed five years) and may then need to be repaired or replaced. Replacing a fan will cost around $200 - $350 including parts and labor. It is a good idea to retest your home at least every two years to be sure radon levels remain low.

See "A Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction" at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

How do we know radon is a carcinogen?

The World Health Organization (WHO), the National Academy of Sciences, the US Department of Health and Human Services, as well as EPA, have classified radon as a known human carcinogen, because of the wealth of biological and epidemiological evidence and data showing the connection between exposure to radon and lung cancer in humans.

There have been many studies conducted by many different organizations in many nations around the world to examine the relationship of radon exposure and human lung cancer. The largest and most recent of these was an international study, led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which examined the data on 68,000 underground miners who were exposed to a wide range of radon levels. The studies of miners are very useful because the subjects are humans, not rats, as in many cancer research studies. These miners are dying of lung cancer at 5 times the rate expected for the general population. Over many years scientists around the world have conducted exhaustive research to verify the cause-effect relationship between radon exposure and the observed increased lung cancer deaths in these miners and to eliminate other possible causes.

In addition, there is an overlap between radon exposures received by miners who got lung cancer and the exposures people would receive over their lifetime in a home at EPA's action level of 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air), i.e., the lung cancer risk in miners has been documented at exposure levels comparable to those which occur in homes/residences.

Read more about radon health risks at www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

How does radon get into your home?

Any home may have a radon problem.
Radon is a radioactive gas.  It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water (see www.epa.gov/radon/rnwater.html). In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

For more information, see www.epa.gov/radon and www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

How much can a radon mitigation system cost?

You have tested your home for radon, but now what?  If you have tested your home for radon and confirmed that you have elevated radon levels, 4 picocuries per liter in air (pCi/L) or higher, our guidance can help you:

• Select a qualified radon mitigation contractor to reduce the radon levels in your home.
• Determine an appropriate radon reduction method.
• Maintain your radon reduction system.

Radon reduction systems work. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99 percent. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. Your costs may vary depending on the size and design of your home and which radon reduction methods are needed. Get an estimate from one or more qualified radon mitigation contractors. Hundreds of thousands of people have reduced radon levels in their homes.
Read a Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

How often should I test/retest my home for radon?

Our general guidance (A Citizen's Guide to Radon - www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html - suggests:

If your living patterns change and you begin occupying a lower level of your home (such as a basement) you should retest your home on that level.

Even if your test result is below 4 pCi/L, you may want to test again sometime in the future.
If you are buying or selling a home (from our Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon - www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html):

If you are thinking of selling your home and you have already tested your home for radon,  review the Radon Testing Checklist to make sure that the test was done correctly.  If so, provide your test results to the buyer.

No matter what kind of test you took, a potential buyer may ask for a new test especially if:

• The Radon Testing Checklist items were not met;
• The last test is not recent, e.g., within two years;
• You have renovated or altered your home since you tested; or
• The buyer plans to live in a lower level of the house than was tested, such as a basement suitable for occupancy but not currently lived in.

A buyer may also ask for a new test if your state or local government requires disclosure of radon information to buyers.

How reliable are Do-it-Yourself radon test kits?

A September, 2008 Consumer Reports article points out a critical issue namely, the reliability of do-it-yourself (DIY) testing devices.

These do-it-yourself devices continue to provide generally unreliable measurements.  They can give consumers the wrong information about the radon level in their home, and in making a decision about whether to fix their home.

EPA recommends that you hire a qualified professional to test for radon when you are buying or selling a home.

Organizations that address radon risk (state programs, the radon testing and mitigation industry and EPA) are working to improve the reliability of devices.  Several states have conducted studies to test the reliability of devices, and a national effort to establish consensus standards for devices is underway.

EPA strongly recommends that consumers contact their state radon offices for more information on radon testing and other questions.  Contact information and other useful radon facts can be found at www.epa.gov/radon

As a precaution, EPA advises a second test if levels come back above 4 pCi/L.  We then advise professional mitigation, using a practitioner with more sophisticated, precise, and expensive equipment. 

Should I be concerned about the accuracy of radon test kits?

Accuracy and reliability reside in the overall measurement approach. EPA's measurement recommendations were designed to both maximize the amount of public risk reduction and to address the need for test devices that are easy to obtain, cheap to buy and simple to administer. While it is true that any given radon testing device or instrument will have an associated variability in precision and accuracy, EPA's recommendations raise the probability that homes with elevated radon will be identified and fixed. For example, EPA recommends using multiple short-term tests to reduce errors and increase the likelihood that the correct mitigation decision will be made. In addition, EPA recommends testing every two years or following a significant renovation. EPA advises consumers to seek the advice of state public health officials and qualified measurement professionals for further guidance. Presently, EPA is participating in several efforts to gather current data on the accuracy and reliability of testing devices and measurement results. As data are gathered, EPA will make available the latest information.

Read more at www.epa.gov/radon

Should I test the soil for radon before building?

This answer is covered in our publication, Building Radon Out - www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/buildradonout.pdf on page 22.

Soil testing for radon is not recommended for determining whether a house should be built radon-resistant.  Although soil testing can be done, it cannot rule out the possibility that radon could be a problem in the house you build on a lot.  Even if soil testing reveals low levels of radon gas in the soil, the amount of radon that may enter the finished house cannot be accurately predicted because one cannot predict the impact that the site preparation will have on introducing new radon pathways or the extent to which a vacuum will be produced by the house.  Furthermore, the cost of a single soil test for radon ranges from $70 to $150, and at least 4 to 8 tests could be required to accurately characterize the radon in the soil at a single building site.  Therefore, the cost to perform the soil testing is very high when compared with installing the passive radon system in high radon potential areas (see the EPA Map of Radon Zones at www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html).

Why not wait to install the radon-resistant features until after the home is completed and a radon test is performed?

It is much easier and far less costly to prepare the sub-grade to improve the soil gas flow before the slab is cast.  Also, the pipe for the radon-resistant system itself can be run more easily through the house before it is finished.  This significantly improves aesthetics and can reduce subsequent system operating costs by planning to route the pipe through warm space to maximize passive operation of the system.

The best way to determine the radon level in a home:  Test the home for radon after occupancy.

What about radon and radioactivity in granite countertops?

Does the EPA believe there is a danger of radon gas or associated radiation being emitted from granite countertops?

It is possible for any granite sample to contain varying concentrations of uranium and other naturally occurring radioactive elements. These elements can emit radiation and produce radon gas, a source of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays. Some granite used for countertops may contribute variably to indoor radon levels. Some types of granite may emit gamma radiation above typical background levels. However, at this time EPA believes that the existing data is insufficient to conclude that the types of granite commonly used in countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels. While radiation levels are not typically high, measurement of specific samples may reveal higher than expected levels on a case-by-case basis. Granite is a naturally occurring igneous rock, meaning that it was formed by the cooling of molten rock. It is quarried and processed to produce commercial products such as countertops.

What advice does the EPA have about radon for consumers who have granite countertops?

EPA believes the principal source of radon in homes is from the soil in contact with basement floors and walls. To reduce the radon risk you should first test the air in your home to determine the radon level. There are many do-it-yourself radon test kits available through retail outlets and on-line, starting at about 25. While natural rocks such as granite may emit radiation and radon gas, the levels attributable to such sources are not typically high.

If your home has a radon level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or more, you should take steps to fix your home and reduce the radon level. Contact your state radon office (www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html) for assistance. Hire a qualified radon professional (www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html) to fix or mitigate your home. The key to reducing your risk of lung cancer from radon is to test your home and mitigate when necessary. A specially-trained and qualified radiation professional may be equipped to test for other radon sources (such as granite or diffusion from drinking water) when diagnosing the nature and source of your home's radon problem.

Learn more about radon, visit www.epa.gov/radon or read A Citizen's Guide to Radon at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html.

Can I test my granite countertops for radiation or radon?

At this time, a generally accepted radiation testing protocol for countertops does not exist, and neither imported nor domestic granite products require radiation testing.

Radiation concentrations can only be measured using sophisticated portable instruments, or with laboratory equipment. These instruments and equipment require a knowledgeable and trained user and proper instrument calibration. For information about local radiation experts, the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) maintains a web page where you can find contact information for each state's radiation protection program - www.crcpd.org/Map/map.html

Although not specifically designed or intended for measuring radon emissions from countertops, do-it-yourself test kits are available through retail outlets and on-line, starting at about $25. If you are concerned about the radon level in your home, purchase a test kit and use as instructed. To learn more, visit www.epa.gov/radon or read A Citizen's Guide to radon at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html.

Are the levels of radon gas and radiation emissions from granite countertops dangerous to humans or animals?

While radon gas and radiation emission levels attributable to granite are not typically high, there are simply too many variables to generalize about the potential health risks inside a particular home that has granite countertops. It is prudent to limit your family's exposure to radon whenever possible. Commonly employed mitigation techniques can reduce the radon level coming from soil beneath your home to 2 pCi/L or less in most homes. At EPA's action level of 4 pCi/L, a smoker's risk of lung cancer is about five times the risk of dying in an auto accident, and if you've never smoked equal to the risk of dying in an auto accident. The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA strongly recommend that all homes be tested for radon.

Has EPA done studies on radon gas and radiation emissions from granite countertops?

We are aware of a few studies that have conducted limited research on radon in granite countertops. EPA will continue to review this research. However, there are many studies proving the link between radon in indoor air and lung cancer, including EPA's 2003 risk assessment - www.epa.gov/radon/risk_assessment.html

Does the EPA have plans to conduct a study of granite countertops?

EPA will continue to monitor and analyze the evolving research on radiation and granite countertops and will update its recommendations as appropriate. There are currently no regulations concerning granite countertops radon gas or radiation emissions.

Additional Resources:

"Position Statement: Granite Countertops and Radon Gas," Science and Technical Committee of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST), August 4, 2008, 2 pages.  Click here for PDF version

What about radon in schools?

Radon problems in schools are often remedied by increasing the ventilation. However, this will not necessarily remedy an IAQ problem. Some indoor pollution issues cannot be corrected by increasing ventilation. Increasing the ventilation in areas with high humidity or elevated outdoor air pollutants may, in fact, make an existing IAQ problem worse.

Read more about radon at Schools, IAQ, and Health at www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/environmental.html

See www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html#schools

See the IAQ Tools for Schools IAQ Reference Guide, Appendix G: Radon www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guideg.html

See also www.epa.gov/radon

What about the NPR Story on Radon?

• We have always said that smoking is a significant factor in radon-related lung cancer deaths
• All of the 21,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths per year are attributable to radon exposure, even for smokers.
• Even if we ignored the smokers who get radon-induced lung cancer, 3,000 non-smokers die from radon exposure each year. Radon is the number 1 cause of lung cancer deaths in non-smokers.
• While smoking is an individual choice and an individual risk, radon is not. Everyone in a home with high levels is exposed, The individual decision to not test or not fix affects the rest of the family.
• While it is true that radon is not distributed equally throughout the U.S., high homes have been found in all states. The only way to know your level is to test.

Read "A Citizen's Guide to Radon" at http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

What are the health effects from exposure to radon?

There are no immediate symptoms from exposures to radon. Based on an updated Assessment of Risk for Radon in Homes (see www.epa.gov/radon/risk_assessment.html), radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Smokers are at higher risk of developing Radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure. There is no evidence that other respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are caused by radon exposure and there is no evidence that children are at any greater risk of radon induced lung cancer than adults.

See also radon health risks at www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

Read "A Citizen's Guide to Radon" at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

What can you tell me about "Radon Therapy"?

Radon therapy is not a sanctioned biomedical therapy in the United States, primarily due to continuing uncertainty over how much radon exposure is safe. Environmental agencies in the United States, Canada, and Europe consider radon an indoor health hazard. In the US alone, there are 20,000 radon-induced lung cancer deaths annually.

The major source of concern is that the decay of radon gas produces radioactive progeny which adhere to dust and smoke and be inhaled. The inhalation of these particles has been correlated with an increased incidence of lung cancer in uranium miners, although the correlation is strongest among smokers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Surgeon General, and other agencies responsible for protection of the public, as well as most of the scientific and medical communities, believe that there is no level at which exposure to radon is safe. Because of the correlation of high levels of radon exposure with cancer, these agencies extrapolate the same cancer risk to lower doses, applying the “linear, no-threshold” (LNT) model of radiation carcinogenesis. According to this model, any exposure to radon is harmful. (See "EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes" (June 2003) at www.epa.gov/radon/risk_assessment.html

However, some scientists take issue with the LNT model. This point of view is based on the hormesis phenomenon, the observation that small amounts of stress on biological organisms, caused by, for example, a chemical, heat or ionizing radiation have a stimulatory or even beneficial effect, although high doses of the same stressor are harmful or lethal. According to this view, the linear extrapolation of the risk from high doses of radiation to low doses assumed by the LNT model greatly overestimates the risk of harm, and ignores the potential benefits. Low doses of radiation have been found to stimulate growth, DNA repair, antioxidant action, and immune response.

Because of remaining uncertainty about radiation and its potential dangers, radon therapy exists completely outside of the biomedical health care system, and is never covered by medical insurance. As an “alternative therapy” radon's "health" benefits may be more psychological than physiological. People may feel that their arthritis or asthma is temporarily better but in doing so they have increased their long-term lung cancer risk.

For more information on radon's health risk visit www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html.

What did the National Academy of Sciences have to say about radon?

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) published its latest analysis of health research on radon, the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI) Report in 1999 (see www.epa.gov/radon/beirvi.html). This is the most comprehensive review effort to date. The Committee was charged with:

• reviewing all current miner and residential data, as well as all existing cellular-biological data,
• comparing the dose per unit exposure effects of radon in mines and homes, and
• examining: 1) interactions between radon exposure and smoking, and 2) any exposure-rate effect (alteration of effect by intensity of exposure).

See www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html  and www.epa.gov/radon/beirvi.html

What is EPA's Action Level for Radon and What Does it Mean?

Radon in air is ubiquitous (existing or being everywhere at the same time). Radon is found in outdoor air and in the indoor air of buildings of all kinds.  EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocurries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that Americans consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.

The average indoor radon concentration for America’s homes is about 1.3 pCi/L. It is upon this national average indoor level that EPA based its estimate of 21,000 radon-related lung cancers a year. The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is .4 pCi/L or 1/10th of EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.

Read "A Citizen's Guide to Radon" at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

Read about Radon Health Risks at www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

Find out how to test your home at www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html

Find out how to fix your home by reading a "Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home" at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

What is National Radon Action Month? When is Radon Action Week?

January is National Radon Action Month  The aim of National Radon Action Month is to increase the public's awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices. 

Radon Action Week is the third week in October.  Some communities might observe Radon Action Week with other indoor air quality topics during the remaining weeks in October.

Visit www.epa.gov/radon/nram  where you can share, plan, or find activities, and access the National Radon Action Month Event Planning Kit and graphics. You'll also find a collection of other useful resources and materials.

What is Radon?

Radon is a gaseous radioactive element having the symbol Rn, the atomic number 86, an atomic weight of 222, a melting point of -71ºC, a boiling point of -62ºC, and (depending on the source, there are between 20 and 25 isotopes of radon - 20 cited in the chemical summary, 25 listed in the table of isotopes); it is an extremely toxic, colorless gas; it can be condensed to a transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid; it is derived from the radioactive decay of radium and is used in cancer treatment, as a tracer in leak detection, and in radiography. (From the word radium, the substance from which it is derived.) 

Sources: Condensed Chemical Dictionary, and Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 69th ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1988.

See also:

• Radiation Protection Division: Radon - www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/radon.html
• EPA's Integrated Risk Information System profile on Radon 222 [CASRN 14859-67-7] is located at: epa.gov/iris/subst/0275.htm
• Conversion Factors for Radon Units
• Radon Decay Series Chart

Read more about Radon at www.epa.gov/radon

What is the average level of radon found in homes in the U.S.?

Based on a national residential radon survey completed in 1991, the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) in air in the United States. The average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L.

Read more about Radon health risks at www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

Read more about Radon at www.epa.gov/radon

What is the debate on radon?

There is no debate about radon being a lung carcinogen in humans. All major national and international organizations that have examined the health risks of radon agree that it is a lung carcinogen. The scientific community continues to conduct research to refine our understanding of the precise number of deaths attributable to radon. The National Academy of Sciences BEIR VI Report (see www.epa.gov/radon/beirvi.html ) has estimated that radon causes about 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths annually based on their two-preferred models. Major scientific organizations continue to believe that approximately 12% of lung cancers annually in the United States are attributable to radon.

See radon health risks at www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

What is the radon hotline?

If you have further questions about Radon, please call your State Radon Contact (see our list of state contacts at www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html).
EPA supports the following hotlines to best serve consumers with radon-related questions and concerns.

• 1-800-SOSRADON (1-800-767-7236)* Purchase radon test kits by phone.
   
• 1-800-55RADON (557-2366)* Get live help for your radon questions.
   
• 1-800-644-6999* Radon Fit-It Hotline. For general information on fixing or reducing the radon level in your home.
• 1-800-426-4791 Safe Drinking Water Hotline. For general information on drinking water, radon in water, testing and treatment, and standards for radon drinking water. Operated under a contract with EPA
  
  * Operated by Kansas State University in partnership with EPA

Kansas State University (KSU)
Web site: www.sosradon.org
Phone: (785) 532-6026
Fax: (785) 532-6952
E-mail: Radon@ksu.edu

As a partner in the Midwest Universities Radon Consortium, conducts National Radon Program Services, including the National Radon Poster Contest, National Radon Hotlines, and Referrals to State Radon Programs, Radon Test Kit Coupons, Radon Mitigation Promotion and other outreach activities.

If you are interested in finding a qualified radon service professional to test or mitigate your home, or you need to purchase a radon measurement device, see www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html

Where can I find tribal IAQ resources and materials?

While there are indoor air quality, or IAQ, resources throughout the Internet, EPA's Tribal IAQ web portal contains information specific to tribal communities and brings together leaders to share their knowledge, resources and materials.

Throughout the Tribal IAQ web portal, resources and materials specific to each issue area - such as radon, asthma triggers, wood smoke, etc. - are listed. In addition, the Connect area provides a directory of tribal leaders and information about their current projects.

For more information on indoor air quality within tribal communities, please visit www.epa.gov/iaqtribal.

Where does radon come from?

Radon-222 is the decay product of radium-226. Radon-222 and its parent, radium-226, are part of the long decay chain for uranium-238. Since uranium is essentially ubiquitous (being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time) in the earth's crust, radium-226 and radon-222 are present in almost all rock and all soil and water.

The amount of radon in the soil depends on soil chemistry, which varies from one house to the next. Radon levels in the soil range from a few hundred to several thousands of pCi/L (picocuries per liter) in air. The amount of radon that escapes from the soil to enter the house depends on the weather, soil porosity, soil moisture, and the suction within the house.

see www.epa.gov/radon

Where I work we manufacture products from granite and other natural materials. Should I be concerned about radiation in my workplace?

 I work in a granite fabricating and finishing shop. Is there a radon risk in my workplace?

Based on existing studies, most types of granite used in countertops and other aspects of home construction are not typically known to be major contributors of radiation and radon in the average home. To date, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") has not performed any testing for radon in the workplace where granite is fabricated or finished. However, because some granites are more radioactive than others, depending on the composition of the molten rock from which they formed, it is possible that radon is present in your workplace at levels exceeding background radon concentrations. The only way to know for sure is for your employer to test your workplace. The OSHA method for measuring radon gas concentration is briefly described at "Chemical Sampling Information: Radon," available at http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_265469.html. A more detailed technical description is given at "Radon in Workplace Atmospheres," available at http://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/inorganic/id208/id208.html. EPA also provides information about radon testing.

Is exposure to radon in the workplace from granite and other natural materials regulated?

Yes. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is covered by the OSHA standard for ionizing radiation exposure in the workplace. As described in "Radon in Workplace Atmospheres," the OSHA radon exposure limit for adult employees is 100 pCi/L averaged over a 40-hour workweek. The OSHA standard also requires employers to survey the workplace as necessary. Such evaluation includes a physical survey of the location of materials and equipment, and measurements of levels of radiation or concentrations of radioactive material present. The OSHA standard for ionizing radiation can be found at http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10098.

Who should I contact if I have questions about radiation in the workplace?

OSHA maintains a safety and health topics page that contains useful information at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/radiation/index.html. Or, you can call 1-800-321-OSHA. Operators can help you with your questions and direct you to an OSHA office or state program in your area.

Why must radon be vented into the air above my home's roof?

Radon gas is approximately 7.5 times heavier than air.  It is however a noble gas with no chemical affinity but is easily influenced by air movements and pressure.  In a house with forced air heating and cooling, radon gas can easily be distributed throughout the entire dwelling. When radon gas is discharged via a radon mitigation system above the roof, the radon concentration falls off dramatically with distance from the point of discharge.  In fact, the radon gas concentration approaches  background levels at 3-4 feet from the discharge point.  EPA disallowed ground level discharge of radon primarily because of the potential for re-entrainment of the gas into the house and because of the possibility of children being exposed to high radon levels.  The concentration of radon gas at the discharge point can be tens of thousands of picocuries per minute.

Read more about radon at www.epa.gov/radon

Read the Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

Read Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build Radon Resistant Homes at www.epa.gov/radon/pdfs/buildradonout.pdf