1. What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas which comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in soil and ground water. Radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It is found in outdoor air and indoor air of buildings of all kinds. Radon is a form of ionizing radiation and a proven carcinogen.

2. Why is radon dangerous?
The EPA estimates that radon is responsible for about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer other than smoking. Smoking is still the number one cause. In fact, the use of tobacco multiplies the risk of radon-induced lung cancer enormously. If inhaled, radon decay products become deeply lodged in the lungs where they can radiate and penetrate the cells of mucous membranes, bronchi, and other pulmonary tissue. Lung cancer is the only known effect on human health from exposure to airborne radon. Thus far, there is no conclusive evidence that children are at a greater risk of lung cancer than adults.

3. How much radon in a home is safe?
The EPA recommends that the problem should be addressed if a home’s radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, the EPA also recommends that the problem is addressed for homes with radon levels between 2pCi/L and 4pCi/L. The average concentration in the indoor air of the average American home is about 1.3 pCi/L. The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is 0.4 pCi/L, or one-tenth of the EPA’s recommended action level of 4pCi/L.

4. How does radon enter a home?
Radon, because it is a gas, is able to move through spaces in the soil. Radon can enter the home through the floor and walls, anywhere there is an opening between the home and the soil. Examples of such openings include dirt floor crawl spaces, unsealed sumps, utility openings and cracks in the foundation floor and walls. Ohio’s soils contain concentrations of uranium and radium that supply a constant source of radon. Many of our houses are built and operated in ways that increase the likelihood of radon entry in homes. Although radon is present throughout the environment, indoor radon levels are generally higher which increases the risk of cancer. Elevated levels of radon have been found in all 88 counties of Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Health estimates that one-half of Ohio homes have radon levels above the EPA’s recommended action level of 4pCi/L of air. Therefore, ODH recommends all Ohio homeowners test their homes for radon. Call today to have your home tested. For more information about radon, go to: www.epa.gov/radon