What are the symptoms of radon in your home?

Ben DavisOctober 14, 2019

What are the symptoms of radon in your home?

A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.

Persistent cough.
Hoarseness.
Wheezing.
Shortness of breath.
Coughing up blood.
Chest pain.
Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.
Loss of appetite.

Should I worry about radon gas?

If we breath in high levels of radon over long periods of time this exposure can lead to damage to the sensitive cells of our lungs which increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon causes about 1,000 lung cancer deaths in the UK every year.

Does finishing a basement reduce radon?

Radon levels must be reduced even if you are not finishing your basement. Because it comes from the ground, radon levels are usually highest in basements.

What does radon poisoning feel like?

Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you’ve been exposed to high levels of radon, it’s very important to quit smoking.

Where is Radon most common?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and comes from the natural breakdown (radioactive decay) of uranium. It is usually found in igneous rock and soil, but in some cases, well water may also be a source of radon.

Do all homes have some radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. Nearly one 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.

What percentage of homes have radon?

It’s common: About 1 in every 15 homes has what’s considered an elevated radon level. The gas is odorless and invisible, says the EPA, and it causes no immediate symptoms, so the only way to know if your home is affected is by testing your individual residence.

How long do you have to be exposed to radon?

Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop.

Does opening a window reduce radon?

Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Opening basement windows helps reduce negative air pressure, diluting radon with clean outdoor air.

Is a radon level of 14 dangerous?

Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter, or pCi/L. Levels of 4 pCi/L or higher are considered hazardous. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk and in many cases can be reduced, although it is difficult to reduce levels below 2 pCi/L.

Is radon a deal breaker?

Radioactive gas doesn’t have to derail a home sale. Radon is a radioactive gas that emanates naturally from soil and rock. Radon has a nickname that could easily scare away any potential home buyer: “The Silent Killer.” But there’s no need for radon to be a deal-breaker in any real estate transaction.

Is it OK to live in a house with radon?

There are no safe levels of radon, and there’s no way to eradicate it. In homes where there are smokers present and smoking indoors (instead of outside), the risk of developing lung cancer will be much higher. Levels above 4 pCi/L are considered actionable, so those are in the dangerous levels of radon for indoors.

Should you not buy a house with radon?

Radon can seep into any home that is in contact with the ground. It is undetectable unless you perform a radon test. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and according to the EPA and CDC, it kills more than 20,000 annually. It is not something you want in the home you are buying.

How do you get rid of radon in your home?

In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by ventilating the crawlspace passively (without the use of a fan) or actively (with the use of a fan). Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home’s suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the house.

Do air purifiers help with radon?

Yes, air purifiers help with radon gas reduction to some extent. The air purifiers with activated carbon filter technology are highly effective in trapping radon gas.

How much does it cost to reduce radon in home?

The cost of a mitigation system may vary according to the home’s design, size, foundation, construction materials and the local climate. Radon reduction systems average costs nationally are $1,200 with a range from $800 to $1500 common depending on house and market conditions.

How much radon is safe?

According to the EPA, the maximum “acceptable” level of radon is 4.0 pCi/L, but even that level is not “safe”, per se. The EPA strongly recommends you consider radon mitigation between levels 2.0 and 4.0.

Is radon worse in summer or winter?

To answer that question, yes, radon levels in a home tend to be higher during the winter. And those higher levels of radon gas can lead to an increased chance of lung cancer. While indoor radon gas levels are generally higher during winter, sometimes the summer can have higher indoor radon levels.

Is a radon level of 5 bad?

Safe radon levels The best radon level measurement would be zero. The average global outdoor radon level varies between 5-15 Bq/m3, equal to 0.135-0.405 pCi/L. For every 99.9 Bq/m3, or every 2.7 pCI/L increase in long term radon exposure, lung cancer risk rises 16%4.

Does humidity affect radon levels?

Test has been conducted for the response of electret radon dosimeters with varying levels of humidity. At a constant value of radon concentration, measured values have been found to increase linearly with increasing humidity, from 30% RH up to a value of ∼85% RH.

Do dehumidifiers reduce radon?

No, buying a dehumidifier will not make radon go away. Radon must be removed by a remediation method like active soil depressurization (ASD), which ironically has been shown to be even more effective at removing humidity from a home than a dehumidifier in the same EPA study.

Can you trick a radon test?

Realtors, radon contractors and most home owners are also aware that is is not too difficult to cheat or effect the radon test results in their favor by opening windows or doors or by other means after the inspector or tester leaves the home. Most home inspections, about 90% will include a radon test.

Do Ceiling fans reduce radon?

One of the most effective systems for reducing the concentration of radon gas is a ceiling fan. For a fifty-percent reduction of radon gas, a ceiling fan can be used alone without the positive ion generator.

Is radon a scare tactic?

This data shows how low-dose radiation actually has a protective heath effect, similar to the immune response caused by vaccines. The radon scare was set off because of lung cancer in early uranium miners. Over 150,000 smokers die annually of lung cancer. Residential radon is harmless.

How do I make sure my house passes a radon test?

How To Pass A Radon Test: Tips For Reducing Radon In Your Home

Open windows. By opening the windows, you increase fresh air circulation and reduce the concentration of radon in the home.
Install basement vents. This also helps to increase air circulation and reduce radon concentration in the basement.
Use fans.
Create exits.
Mitigation.

Physics

What are the symptoms of radon in your home?

Ben DavisFebruary 20, 2019

What are the symptoms of radon in your home?

Does opening windows reduce radon?

Does finishing a basement reduce radon?

Several years after finishing the basement, you might find that the radon level has increased above the EPA’s action limit (4 pCi/L) and must be reduced to make the house marketable. But once the basement has been finished, you have to get a fan-based radon mitigation system ($1,200 on average).

Is it OK to live in a house with radon?

How do I get rid of radon in my home?

Radon levels can be reduced by sealing off major openings between the home and the ground, such as basement floor drains. This image describes how a floor drain trap can reduce radon entry.

How much does it cost to get rid of radon in your home?

Radon reduction systems work. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. The cost of fixing a home generally ranges from $800 to $2500 (with an average cost of $1200). Your costs may vary depending on the size and design of your home and which radon reduction methods are needed.

Do air purifiers help with radon?

Air Purifiers are great for mold, dust, allergies, bacteria and viruses, and odors, but many people do not know that they can also help with toxins, gases and chemicals such as radon. The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter.

Where is Radon most commonly found?

Radon gas is a ubiquitous element found in rock and soil. The burning of coal and other fossil fuels also releases radon. When radon escapes from soil or is discharged from emission stacks to the outdoor air, it is diluted to levels that are normally, but not always, lower than indoor air.

Do most homes have radon?

What is the source of radon 222?

Radon (222Rn) is an odorless and colorless natural radioactive gas. It is produced during the radioactive decay of radium-226, itself a decay product of uranium-238 found in many types of crustal materials, i.e., rocks and soils.

Do sump pumps increase radon?

Radon found in groundwater can enter your home through the sump pump in your basement. Because of their higher respiration rates, children are at greater risk when radon gas is present. Exposure to radon can cause lung cancer and other serious health issues.

Do sump pumps reduce radon?

A sump pump cover may help to slightly reduce radon levels because it will block a major opening from the ground to your basement. Most importantly, if you plug all the “leaks” in your floor, the soil gas pressure builds and the radon can go right THROUGH THE CONCRETE FLOOR!

Should you cover your sump pump?

While most sump pumps are effective in removing water, they should always be covered with a gas-tight lid to avoid moisture problems, as well as to prevent the seepage of radon into the home.

Can I put radon fan in basement?

A radon fan must be installed in a non-livable area of the house. This cannot be a basement or crawl-space area!! A radon fan may be installed in a garage, house attic, or outside the house.

How do I get rid of radon in my basement?

In homes that have a basement or a slab-on-grade foundation, radon is usually reduced by one of four types of soil suction: subslab suction, drain-tile suction, sump-hole suction, or block-wall suction.

Should radon fan run constantly?

Your radon fan should never be turned off. It should constantly be running in your home to ensure that the system is working properly. After a radon system installation, a post-mitigation test for radon should be performed within 30 days of install.

Can I replace a radon fan myself?

In most cases, pros charge about $1,500 to install a radon mitigation system, but you can do it yourself for only about $500 in materials. The radon fans are guaranteed by manufacturers for 3 – 5 years. Their replacement cost, including installation, is usually $300 to $600.

Why is my radon fan so loud?

There are two noises that are generated by the radon system: air flow and vibration. Excessive noise and back pressure is created when too much air is moved through the pipe. According to the best standard, a 3” pipe should move no more than 34 CFM before the system is too noisy and loses efficiency.

How much does it cost to replace radon fan?

The radon fans are guaranteed by manufacturers for 3 – 5 years. Their replacement cost, including installation, is usually $300 to $600. Homeowners are aware that the fan must run continuously 24/7, year after year. The typical estimate of the electricity cost is $150 per year.

How often do radon fans need to be replaced?

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.

Does homeowners insurance cover radon mitigation?

Radon mitigation is not covered under homeowner’s insurance. However, sometimes, the seller will pay for this mitigation, although you may have to split the costs in other instances or pay for it entirely on your own.

How often do radon systems fail?

Statistically speaking, 1 in 100 homes will fail even after installing a radon system. Although that can sound alarming, there are some common reasons this can happen.

How do you know if radon is working?

You can use the u-tube manometer to determine if your system is working. Look at the liquid in the tube. If it is equal on both sides, it is an indication that there is no pressure in the pipe. This means no suction from the fan (far left image) and the radon mitigation system is not working.

What if radon is still high after mitigation?

When you’ve had radon removal performed in your home and you’re still seeing elevated levels, that’s a sign that you may have hired the wrong team to perform the work. If the first radon mitigation company you hired cannot fix the issue, you need to reach out to another company to come in and provide a solution.

How often should you check radon mitigation system?

every 2 years

Are older homes more susceptible to radon?

FACT: Many newer homes have higher radon levels, than older ones, because they now design homes to have better porosity in the soil around the house. It doesn’t matter how old your home is, if there is the right amount of radium in the soil and there is a way to get in, you could have a serious problem.