Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that can have very
serious health effects. According to the Surgeon General, radon is the second
leading cause of lung cancer within the US. Radon levels fluctuate throughout
the year, but often go undetected by homeowners, sometimes placing residents at
risk without any detectable air quality changes. Environmental Engineer Jeffrey
Bradley explains that it is not unusual for radon levels to be higher in the
winter months. Snow cover creates a blanket effect that can trap radon in soil,
allowing the gas to escape through the frozen ground and leak into houses at a
higher concentration than during other seasons.
The EPA has set a national action level of 4 pCi/L (picoCuries
of radon per liter of air). Bradley’s
New England-based Environmental Engineering firm, IndoorDoctor, specializes in indoor
air quality investigations to measure such levels. They recommend radon testing
in different seasons at least every two years. Most homebuyers conduct a radon
test as part of their purchasing agreement and neglect to test further down the
road. “I’d say nearly half of the homes we test have radon levels higher than
their initial test when they purchased the home,” Bradley says. He warns, too,
that over-the-counter tests can be poor indicators of radon. “The only reliable
way to be sure that your home has a safe level of radon is to test your home
tested on a regular basis.”
very informative
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