Feature Articles - Housing
Realizing the risks of radon
Kandace Fisher, MS, Housing and Environmental Design Specialist, St. Louis County, University of Missouri Extension
Radon is a gas you cannot smell, taste or see, and it is dangerous when it accumulates in your home. However, it can be detected to keep your family safe.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is found everywhere in the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. The National Cancer Institute states radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, being second only to cigarette smoking. Approximately 15,000 to 22,000 deaths per year are related to radon exposure.
Radon gas moves through the ground and into your home through gaps, cracks and holes in the foundation. It can also get into the water supply of your home. Once the radon gas is in your home it can build up to dangerous levels.
The only way to know if radon is present is to have your home tested. The good news is that testing is relatively easy and inexpensive. January is Radon Action Month and with families spending most of their time indoors during the winter months, this is a very good time to test your home. Radon levels will change depending on weather though, so any time of the year is a good time to think about testing your home. Here are steps for testing your home for radon.
- Missouri residents can obtain a free radon test kit from the
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. An
application form is available at
health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/testkit.php. You can also purchase a low-cost
radon test kit from your local hardware store.
- Follow the test kit instructions. Windows and doors should
remain closed during the testing period. Place test kit on the
lowest lived-in level of your house. If you frequently use the
basement, test there. If not, test on the first floor of your
home. The EPA recommends testing in a frequently used room, like
a bedroom, den or playroom, but not in the kitchen or bathroom.
- Send test findings to the lab specified on the package for analysis. Test results should come back in a few weeks. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air or pCi/L. If results indicate a level of 4 pCi/L or higher, you should have a professional perform a follow-up, long-range test.
If levels continue to read high, a radon mitigation system will need to be installed in your home. According to the EPA, several methods exist to reduce radon levels in your home. One common method is to use a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from the soil under the foundation and vents it outside above the house. This system is known as a soil suction radon reduction system and does not require major changes to your home. Radon contractors may use a variety of methods. The right method may depend on the design of your home. In addition to installing the mitigation system, a contractor will recommend sealing any foundation cracks and openings in your home. The cost of reducing radon in the home can vary greatly. The good news is that radon levels can be reduced by up to 99 percent.
To locate a professional in Missouri who specializes in radon
testing and mitigation, contact:
Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
930 Wildwood, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Phone: 573-751-6160 or 1-866-628-9891
Email: info@dhss.mo.gov
MO DHSS radon website:
http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/index.php
For more information or to find a professional in another state, refer to the EPA’s radon website. You can also refer to the EPA publication Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction.
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Last update: Tuesday, January 03, 2012
