Radon Facts and Myths

Myth:

Fact:

Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths each year.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer estimated to cause about 23,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. (Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.) This estimate from the National Academy of Science indicates that about 1 in 10 lung cancer deaths are caused by radon gas each year and that radon is the 7th leading cause of all cancer.

Myth:

Fact:

Radon can affect all types of homes. (new or old; basement, crawl space or on slab designs; drafty or insulated; etc.)

High radon levels have been found in every state. Each home will have different radon levels.

Myth:

Fact:

Myth:

Fact:

Fixing a home has not been seen to cause problems with reselling a home (especially when cosmetic integrity of the home is respected by the contractor). In fact, the assurance of the lowest risk possible coupled with the assurance that repair costs will not be a future burden is a big plus for most buyers.

See link: "Fixing - mitigation". Most homes can be guaranteed to have low radon levels for a cost usually less than about $1,200.

The typical method is to mildly redirect air from under the home towards the outside. The scope of this method typically creates very little impact on any other home component (especially when installed by a competent contractor).

Myth:

Fact:

Long term tests provide the ability to measure your actual exposure and taking into account variations in seasons, weather conditions, occupant living style habits, etc.

However, short term tests are clearly as accurate for what conditions they are measuring. Most often readings in a basement or lowest living area are very similar and reproducible month to month. The required closed house conditions for short term testing are to simulate the closed condition expected about 70% of the year in most homes. Readings taken in heating season or cooling season are often slightly higher than in those taken in spring or fall due to greater pressures in the home.

Myth:

Fact:

Myth:

Fact:

Sealing alone is unpredictable and can never be guaranteed. (Sealing is usually required as part of Soil Suction - Fan Systems).

"EPA does not recommend the use of sealing alone to reduce radon because, by itself, sealing has not been shown to lower radon levels significantly or consistently."

..... "At risk expenses" are always wagered when sealing only (i.e. additional tests) and there is a limit to the practicality of sealing efforts. A substantial leakage area will still exist (invisible to the eye) regardless of meticulous efforts.

..... Sealing alone may sometimes reduce levels by about half if all openings and primary cracks are accessible to seal. However, little or no effect may be seen and levels can even go up. Chances are severely reduced by;
- Initial radon levels above about 6-7 pCi/L.
- Inaccessible items-areas which can't be sealed.
- Meager efforts.