The American Medical Association, the American Lung Association, the Surgeon General, and others confirm that radon is a leading environmental health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency tests show Iowa to have the highest percentage of homes over the recommended action level of radon in their homes.
Bill Field, MS, PhD, associate professor of occupational and environmental health/epidemiology with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about radon:
What exactly is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible and odorless, radioactive gas that's found, really in varying concentrations, in most homes in the United States. Iowa tends to have the highest percentage of homes over the EPA's action level for picoCuries per liter.
Where is radon found in the home?
Generally radon can be detected on all the floors in the home, but since it enters through the basement area, through pipes and around penetrations of the floor, it can be found in the basement at higher concentrations.
Is it more likely radon can be found in older homes, or is newer construction just as susceptible?
Unfortunately, the age of the home is not a reliable predictor of radon occurrence, it can be found in new homes as well as older homes. And some localities, like Iowa City, they have standards and requirements that all new homes be built with radon resistant construction. But that's unfortunately the exception rather than the rule. New homes can be built with radon resistant construction for as little as $400.
What are the health effects of radon?
As radon gas undergoes radioactive decay, it produces these little solid particles that can be inhaled and deposited in the lung. And once they're deposited, the particles produce small bursts of energy that can damage sensitive lung tissues and initiate lung cancer.
Radon is responsible for over 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. And in Iowa alone, we estimate that it causes over 200 lung cancer deaths each year.
How often should a home be tested for radon?
Radon should definitely be tested for when there's a real estate transaction and if one of the listeners have not tested, I really urge all listeners to test this month and then test every several years to confirm the levels remain low.
How does a homeowner measure radon?
Home owners can purchase either long-term or short-term radon tests. Short term tests measure radon for a few days and give you information regarding the potential for elevated, year-long concentrations. Long-term are preferable if you really want to get an estimate of what your actual exposure is over the lifetime.
Where can homeowners purchase radon testing kits?
Radon test kits can be purchased at most local hardware stores and department stores. And discounted test kits are also available at many local health departments, such as Linn County, or if you can't find it there, listeners can call 800-SOS-RADON.
If a home tests positive for radon, what steps should the homeowner take to bring the levels down?
The good news is that almost all homes can be mitigated to reduce radon concentrations. In fact licensed state radon mitigators can install systems to ventilate the radon under the home, before it really has a chance to enter the home. And as a benefit, these systems have also been found to reduce basement moisture. The good news for many home owners is that these systems may also qualify as an allowable expense if they have a health care spending account under their employer.
Does the home need to be retested after steps are taken to lower the radon level?
If the home has been mitigated, then it should be tested after the mitigation to make sure the radon concentrations have been lowered to under the EPA's action level. And really good detailed information on radon testing and mitigation can be requested from the Iowa Department of Public Health by calling 800-383-5992. Radon is invisible and it's odorless and there are no sets of reminders that would probably stimulate you to think about it, so unfortunately, a lot of home owners aren't aware of it, or it's something they consider won't be a problem until many years in the future. Unfortunately, the future has a way of catching up with us. |
