How Does Radon Get Into Your Home?
RADON GETS IN THROUGH:
- Cracks in solid floors
- Construction joints
- Cracks in walls
- Gaps in suspended floors
- Gaps around service pipes
- Cavities inside walls
- The water supply
Reducing Radon Levels
If you’ve tested your home for radon and found elevated radon levels (levels at 4 or above picocuries per liter-4 pCi/l), and if you’ve confirmed those levels with a follow-up test, it is recommended that you take action to reduce your exposure. As a general rule, it’s better to try to reduce the radon level with an active mitigation system than a passive system.
There are many types of active mitigation systems, but the most common type of active mitigation system (active soil depressurization) creates suction points through the basement flatwork or the foundation with piping that is installed inside the residence to the outside. A radon fan is installed on the run of the piping creating a vacuum exhausting the dangerous gases into the outside air.
Almost any radon level, regardless of how high it is, can be brought down to below 4 pCi/l, which is the EPA’s threshold for action. Any test result that is 4 pCi/L or above action should be taken to reduce the levels of radon. Tests that result in measurements below 4 pCi/L still should be advised to put in a mitigation system. The EPA assigns no protocol to actual safe radon levels. As your exposure to radon increases, so does your risk for developing lung cancer. Even homes that are below the 4 pCi/L still pose some risk.
