1. What it is - Radon gas is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas formed by the breakdown of uranium, a natural radioactive material found in soil, rock and groundwater.
2. Why you Need to Know about it - It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. In the US, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year are radon-related.
3. Radon In the Home - Radon travels through pores and cracks in the soil, and can easily penetrate many building materials. When radon penetrates through flooring and other openings in the home, it can get trapped inside and build up. Any home may have a radon problem - new homes, old homes, those with basements, those without basements, drafty homes or well-sealed homes.
In the Portland, Oregon metro area, it is pretty common to have a radon test conducted during the home inspection period of a sale transaction. The inspector will leave radon equipment in the home for 48-72 hours, taking regular readings of the air inside the home. Results are then interpreted and a report is provided to the buyer. When the radon results average reading within a home is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or more, the EPA recommends considering installation of a radon mitigation system at the home.
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