How does radon enter your home

You cannot predict which homes will have high radon levels. Two identical homes next to each other can have different radon levels, depending on numerous variables, including how the home was constructed and lifestyle factors.

The only way to know a building's radon level is to test. Nevada Radon Education Program. The Nevada Radon Education Program is a partnership with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health to educate Nevadans about the health risk posed by elevated levels of radon in the home. The Extension program offers literature, educational presentations and low cost radon test kits in many county Extension and partner offices. Published by: Howe, S. Department of Agriculture. How Radon Gas Enters Homes.

Home button. Uranium is found in rocks, soil and water. It decays to radium which further breaks down into the radioactive gas, radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that originates in the rocks and soil. Radon naturally dissipates from the soil out to the atmosphere. If there is a source of radon near the house, this gas can enter and accumulate.

But how does radon enter the home in the first place? As uranium breaks down in the soil, it forms radium, which decays to form radioactive radon gas. Since radon is a gas, it rises up through the soil and floats around in the air. The problem comes as it rises through the soil near homes; it is drawn to areas of lower pressure following the path of least resistance , which just so happens to be the inside of your home!

Once inside, radon gets trapped and can build up to dangerous levels. This is attributed to the fact that people are more likely to have windows and doors open in the summer, providing greater ventilation and movement of air through the house. Since radon is a gas it is very easy for it to enter homes through even the smallest of cracks.

Homes of all ages can be affected, though older homes are at higher risk. This is due to the fact that older homes have shifted and settled, cracks may have formed in the foundation, and radon mitigation methods may not have been used when the home was built. All homes are at risk. It makes no difference if the structure is brand new or very old. With or without a basement, radon gas comes from the ground and can become airborne so it can make its way inside any home.

It also makes no difference if your home is drafty or well-sealed. Most homes trap radon inside where it can accumulate thus leading to the negative effects on health. While radon typically finds its way into homes through cracks or holes in a foundation it has the ability to penetrate through paper, plastic, sheetrock, wood, and insulation.

This fact can be a little frightening because it seems that there is no way to keep radon out of our homes. While this is true, the only thing we really can do is reduce the amount that is entering our homes. Since its formation occurs in the ground, the majority of radon will enter through parts of the house that have contact with dirt and rock.

Fact: The most common entrances for radon gas are through cracks in the floor or walls of basements, bare floored crawl spaces, construction joints, and gaps around pipes coming in from outside.