Radon Gas Myths and Testing
Radon gas occurs naturally, is odorless, and colorless. The EPA also knows that it causes lung cancer. Due to this inability to see it with the naked eye there are still some people who do not believe it exists. There is a lot of science and research behind this. If someone says it doesn’t exist, they immediately discredit themselves on this issue.
Radon comes from the decomposition of uranium found in the ground and the gas rises through the ground and enters homes from lower levels through cracks in concrete, gaps around sewer pipes, manholes. sump pumps or through the ground in the crawl space. . The topic of radon testing generally comes up as part of a home inspection when purchasing a home.
In states that license individuals who test for radon gas, locations that are accepted as suitable locations for testing for radon gas are described. In Ohio, the test location is the lowest living space in a home for a minimum of 48 hours. The lowest living space is usually a basement. The basement does not have to be finished to be considered a living space. Ohio radon testing equipment should be placed in the lowest living space at least 20 inches from the floor, at least 2 feet from an exterior wall, etc.
A myth regarding testing is that if the home does not have a basement, testing is not necessary. This is not correct. Radon levels are higher than desired in homes built on slab.
Another myth is that if the house is built in a confined space, then a radon test is not necessary. This is also not correct. If the crawl space is well ventilated to the outside, this can reduce the chances of radon entering the home; however, it is definitely not a certainty.
A third myth we often hear is that if your home has a walk-out basement, you don’t need to test. This is based on the belief that since there is a door leading to the outside, the air entering the home will be outside air and not gas from the ground entering the lower area of the home. This is not true either. Dead-end basements can and should be higher than the EPA recommends.
Some vendors have told me that their friends told them what to do at home to reduce possible radon levels. These methods typically involved opening windows and ventilating the place. This may or may not help. Radon enters the home primarily due to a chimney effect where the temperature and air pressure make it easier for gas from the ground to flow to the lower part of the home and then flow up through the home like smoke and heat flow through a fireplace. Opening a window can increase air flow and draw more soil gas and radon into the house.
The best radon monitors will detect movement, temperature, humidity, and air pressure. If the monitor were to be moved outside, the monitor will record it and the test will be invalid and it will be necessary to redo another test, this time at the expense of who interfered with the test.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is a known cause of lung cancer. There are myths about testign for gas. The gas reaches the houses through the ground under the houses and eventually enters the houses. The only way to know for sure what radon levels are in a home is to run a test regardless of the home’s design.