EPA studies show that people who are exposed to radon have higher
incidences of lung cancer. There is also some evidence that
radon in water may increase the incidence of stomach cancer.
Why Do You Need to Test for Radon?
Radon Has Been Found In Homes
All Over the U.S.
Radon is a radioactive gas that
has been found in homes all over the United States. It
comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock
and water and gets into the air you breathe.
Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above
and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.
Radon can also enter your home through well water.
Your home can trap radon inside.
Any home can have a radon problem.
This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes,
and homes with or without basements.
In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest
radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your
time.
Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes
in the United States is estimated to have an elevated
radon level (4 pCi/L or more).
Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your
state. Contact your state
radon office for information about radon in your area.
EPA and the Surgeon General
Recommend That You Test Your Home
Testing is the only way to
know if you and your family are at risk from radon.
EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes
below the third floor for radon.
You cannot predict radon
levels based on state, local, and neighborhood radon
measurements.
Do not rely on radon test results taken in other homes in the
neighborhood to estimate the radon level in your home.
Homes which are next to each other can have different radon levels. Testing
is the only way to find out what your home's radon level is.
In some areas, companies
may offer different types of radon service agreements. Some
agreements let you pay a one-time fee that covers both
testing and radon mitigation, if needed.
Contact your state
radon office to find out if these are available in your state.
U.S.
Surgeon General Health Advisory
"Indoor radon gas is
the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the
United States and breathing it over prolonged
periods can present a significant health risk
to families all over the country.
It's important to know that this threat is completely
preventable.
Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through
well-established venting techniques."
January 2005 |
Where does radon in my water come
from?
As water moves through the
ground, radon gas can be carried in the water to your
tap.
When well water is agitated at warm temperatures in the home,
radon is released into the air.
When you shower, bathe or simply run the tap, the radon in the
water is liberated into the air, forming radon gas that can be
inhaled in.
According to the EPA, radon levels in ground water are highest
in New England and the Virginia Appalachian uplands of the Mid-Atlantic
and Southern States.
Certain areas around the Rocky Mountains, California, Texas and
the upper Midwest also have elevated levels of radon in the ground
water.
These areas are most likely to have elevated radon in water levels,
but radon in water can occur anywhere in the US.
If I have radon in my water, what
should I do?
Simple aeration removes up to 99%
of radon from water.
Radon is rarely a problem in public systems because the water
is aerated during water treatment.
Unfortunately, this does not occur in water being drawn from
a private well. Aeration treatment equipment aerates the water,
then vents the gas to the outside.
This treatment option requires that the gas be vented above the
roof line, otherwise the gas may enter the home.
Another option is granular
activated carbon filtration. In this type of treatment,
the water is filtered through carbon which adsorbs the
radon.
This type of filter requires relatively large amounts of carbon
and a long contact time to be efficient.
The carbon from a radon filtration system may have to be handled
specially for disposal since the potential build up of radioactivity
can make it hazardous.
Mold Free Home Va Services
the District of Columbia, the Washington, DC Metro Area
of Maryland and Virginia Regions.
Moldfreehomeva LLC is a Licensed and Insured Company.
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