| A
PDF version of this guidance is available -
citizensguide.pdf (a 4.3MB file).
Please Note: The
Spanish version of this publication,
El Radon, reflects information that has NOT
been updated. A
translation of this version into Spanish has
been planned.
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El Radón guía para su protección y la de su
familia
Este folleto es
la versión en español de la popular guía “
Guía para……” fue desarrollado por la
Coalición Nacional de Organizaciones Hispanas de
Servicios (COSSMHO) para la Agencia para
la Protección Ambiental de los Estados Unidos.
Llame a su oficina estatal de Radón para
obtener una copia de esta guía (todas las
oficinas estatales de Radón están disponibles
para contestar sus llamadas y preguntas en
inglés). Documento de la agencia
[EPA número 402-K-93-005,
septiembre de 1993]
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EPA
Recommends:
- Test your home for
radon -- it's easy and inexpensive.
- Fix your home if
your radon level is 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L)
or higher.
- Radon levels less
than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases
may be reduced.
|
Radon is estimated
to cause thousands of lung cancer deaths in the
U.S. each year. |
 |
|
* Radon is
estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer
deaths per year, according to
EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in
Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). The numbers of
deaths from other causes are taken from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention
and Control Report and 2002 National Safety
Council Reports. |
|
Go to top
Radon is a
cancer-causing, radioactive gas.
You can't see radon.
And you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a
problem in your home.
Radon is estimated to
cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's
because when you breathe air containing radon, you
can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General
has warned that radon is the second leading cause of
lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking
causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and
your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung
cancer is especially high.
Radon can be found
all over the U.S.
Radon comes from the
natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil,
rock and water and gets into the air you breathe.
Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into
any type of building - homes, offices, and schools -
and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and
your family are most likely to get your greatest
exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.
You should test for
radon.
Testing is the only
way to know if you and your family are at risk from
radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing
all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also
recommends testing in schools.
Testing
is inexpensive and easy - it should only take a few
minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have
already tested their homes for radon (see
How to Test Your Home).
You can fix a radon
problem.
Radon reduction
systems work and they are not too costly. Some
radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in
your home by up to 99%. Even very high levels can
be reduced to acceptable levels.
New homes can be
built with radon-resistant features.
Radon-resistant
construction techniques can be effective in
preventing radon entry. When installed properly and
completely, these simple and inexpensive techniques
can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes. In
addition, installing them at the time of
construction makes it easier and less expensive to
reduce radon levels further if these passive
techniques don't reduce radon levels to below 4 pCi/L.
Every new home
should be tested after
occupancy, even if it
was built radon-resistant.
If radon levels are
still in excess of 4 pCi/L, the passive system
should be activated by having
a qualified mitigator install a vent fan. For
more explanation of radon resistant construction
techniques, refer to EPA publication,
Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to
Build Radon-Resistant Homes (see
EPA Publications).
Go to top
 Radon
is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural
decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils.
It typically moves up through the ground to the air
above and into your home through cracks and other
holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon
inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a
radon problem. This means new and old homes,
well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or
without basements.
Radon from soil gas
is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon
enters the home through well water (see "Radon
in Water" below). In a small number of homes,
the building materials can give off radon, too.
However, building materials rarely cause radon
problems by themselves.
|
RADON GETS IN THROUGH:
1. Cracks in solid
floors
2. Construction joints
3. Cracks in walls
4. Gaps in suspended floors
5. Gaps around service pipes
6. Cavities inside walls
7. The water supply |
 |
Nearly 1 out of every
15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated
radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been
found in homes in your state. Contact your
state radon office for
general information about radon in your area. While
radon problems may be more common in some areas, any
home may have a problem. The only way to know about
your home is to test.
Radon can also be a
problem in schools and workplaces. Ask your
state radon office about
radon problems in schools, daycare and childcare
facilities, and workplaces in your area.
Go to top
You
can't see radon, but it's not hard to find out if
you have a radon problem in your home. All you need
to do is test for radon. Testing is easy and should
only take a few minutes of your time.
The
amount of radon in the air is measured in "picoCuries
per liter of air," or "pCi/L." Sometimes test
results are expressed in Working Levels (WL) rather
than picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) (4 pCi/L equals to
0.016 WL). There are many kinds of low-cost
"do-it-yourself" radon test kits you can get through
the mail and in hardware stores and other retail
outlets. If you prefer, or if you are buying or
selling a home, you can hire
a qualified tester to do the testing for you.
You should first contact your
state radon office about obtaining a list of
qualified testers. You can also contact a private
radon proficiency program for lists of privately
certified radon professionals serving your area.
For links and information, visit
www.epa.gov/radon/proficiency.html .
There are Two
General Ways to Test for Radon:
SHORT-TERM TESTING:
 The
quickest way to test is with short-term tests.
Short-term tests remain in your home for two days to
90 days, depending on the device. "Charcoal
canisters," "alpha track," "electret ion chamber,"
"continuous monitors," and "charcoal liquid
scintillation" detectors are most commonly used for
short-term testing. Because radon levels tend to
vary from day to day and season to season, a
short-term test is less likely than a long-term test
to tell you your year-round average radon level. If
you need results quickly, however, a short-term test
followed by a second short-term test may be used to
decide whether to fix your home (see
Home Sales).
LONG-TERM TESTING:
Long-term tests
remain in your home for more than 90 days. "Alpha
track" and "electret" detectors are commonly used
for this type of testing. A long-term test will give
you a reading that is more likely to tell you your
home's year-round average radon level than a
short-term test.
How To Use
a Test Kit:
Follow
the instructions that come with your test kit. If
you are doing a short-term test, close your windows
and outside doors and keep them closed as much as
possible during the test. Heating and
air-conditioning system fans that re-circulate air
may be operated. Do not operate fans or other
machines which bring in air from outside. Fans that
are part of a radon-reduction system or small
exhaust fans operating only for short periods of
time may run during the test. If you are doing a
short-term test lasting just 2 or 3 days, be sure to
close your windows and outside doors at least 12
hours before beginning the test, too. You
should not conduct short-term tests lasting just 2
or 3 days during unusually severe storms or periods
of unusually high winds. The test kit should be
placed in the lowest lived-in level of the home (for
example, the basement if it is frequently used,
otherwise the first floor). It should be put in a
room that is used regularly (like a living room,
playroom, den or bedroom) but not your kitchen or
bathroom. Place the kit at least 20 inches above the
floor in a location where it won't be disturbed -
away from drafts, high heat, high humidity, and
exterior walls. Leave the kit in place for as long
as the package says. Once you've finished the test,
reseal the package and send it to the lab specified
on the package right away for analysis. You should
receive your test results within a few weeks.
|
EPA Recommends the Following Testing Steps: |
|
Step 1.
|
Take a short-term
test. If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher take a
follow-up test (Step 2) to be sure. |
|
Step 2.
|
Follow up with
either a long-term test or a second short-term
test:
- For a
better understanding of your year-round
average radon level, take a long-term test.
- If you
need results quickly, take a second
short-term test.
The higher your
initial short-term test result, the more certain
you can be that you should take a short-term
rather than a long-term follow up test. If your
first short-term test result is more than twice
EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, you should take a
second short-term test immediately.
|
|
Step 3. |
If you followed
up with a long-term test: Fix your home if your
long-term test result is 4 pCi/L or more. If
you followed up with a second short-term test:
The higher your short-term results, the more
certain you can be that you should fix your
home. Consider fixing your home if the
average of your first and second test is 4 pCi/L
or higher. (see also Home
Sales)
 |
Go to top
 The
average indoor radon level is estimated to be about
1.3 pCi/L, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally
found in the outside air. The U.S. Congress has set
a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more
than outdoor levels. While this goal is not yet
technologically achievable in all cases, most homes
today can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below.
Sometimes short-term tests are less definitive about
whether or not your home is above 4 pCi/L. This can
happen when your results are close to 4 pCi/L. For
example, if the average of your two short-term test
results is 4.1 pCi/L, there is about a 50% chance
that your year-round average is somewhat below 4 pCi/L.
However, EPA believes that any radon exposure
carries some risk - no level of radon is safe. Even
radon levels below 4 pCi/L pose some risk, and you
can reduce your risk of lung cancer by lowering your
radon level.
If your
living patterns change and you begin occupying a
lower level of your home (such as a basement) you
should retest your home on that level.
Even if
your test result is below 4 pCi/L, you may want to
test again sometime in the future.
Go to top
|
More and
more, home buyers and renters are asking
about radon levels before they buy or
rent a home. Because real estate sales
happen quickly, there is often little
time to deal with radon and other
issues. The best thing to do is to test
for radon NOW and save the results in
case the buyer is interested in them.
Fix a problem if it exists so it won't
complicate your home sale. If you are
planning to move, call your
state radon office
for EPA's pamphlet "Home
Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon,"
which addresses some common questions.
You can also use the results of two
short-term tests done side-by-side (four
inches apart) to decide whether to fix
your home.
During home
sales:
-
Buyers often ask if a home has been
tested, and if elevated levels were
reduced.
-
Buyers frequently want tests made by
someone who is not involved in the
home sale. Your
state radon office can assist
you in identifying
a qualified tester.
-
Buyers might want to know the radon
levels in areas of the home (like a
basement they plan to finish) that
the seller might not otherwise test.
Today many
homes are built to prevent radon from
coming in. Your state or local area may
require these radon-resistant
construction features. If you are buying
or renting a new home, ask the owner or
builder if it has radon-resistant
features. The EPA recommends building
new homes with radon-resistant features
in high radon potential (Zone 1) areas.
Even if built radon-resistant, every new
home should be tested for radon after
occupancy. If you have a test result of
4 pCi/L or more, you can have
a qualified mitigator easily add a
vent fan to an existing passive system
for about $300 and further reduce the
radon level in your home. For more
information, refer to
EPA's Map of Radon Zones and other
useful EPA documents on radon-resistant
new construction (see
publications),
or visit
www.epa.gov/radon |
|
Go to top
  There
are two main sources for the radon in your home's indoor
air, the soil and the water supply. Compared to radon
entering the home through water, radon entering your
home through the soil is usually a much larger risk.
The radon in
your water supply poses an inhalation risk and an
ingestion risk. Research has shown that your risk of
lung cancer from breathing radon in air is much larger
than your risk of stomach cancer from swallowing water
with radon in it. Most of your risk from radon in water
comes from radon released into the air when water is
used for showering and other household purposes.
Radon in
your home's water is not usually a problem when its
source is surface water. A radon in water problem is
more likely when its source is ground water, e.g. a
private well or a public water supply system that uses
ground water. If you are concerned that radon may be
entering your home through the water and your water
comes from a public water supply, contact your water
supplier.
If you've
tested your private well and have a radon in water
problem, it can be fixed. Your home's water supply can
be treated in two ways. Point-of-entry treatment can
effectively remove radon from the water before it enters
your home. Point-of-use treatment devices remove radon
from your water at the tap, but only treat a small
portion of the water you use and are not effective in
reducing the risk from breathing radon released into the
air from all water used in the home.
For more
information, call EPA's Drinking Water Hotline at (800)
426-4791 or visit
www.epa.gov/safewater/radon.html If your water
comes from a private well, you can also contact your
state radon office.
Go to top
Since
there is no known safe level of radon, there can
always be some risk. But the risk can be reduced by
lowering the radon level in your home.
There
are several proven methods to reduce radon in your
home, but the one primarily used is a vent pipe
system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the
house and vents it to the outside. This system,
known as a soil suction radon reduction system, does
not require major changes to your home. Sealing
foundation cracks and other openings makes this kind
of system more effective and cost-efficient.
Similar systems can also be installed in houses with
crawl spaces. Radon contractors can use other
methods that may also work in your home. The right
system depends on the design of your home and other
factors.
Ways to
reduce radon in your home are discussed in EPA's "Consumer's
Guide to Radon Reduction." You can get a copy
from your
state radon office.
The cost
of reducing radon in your home depends on how your
home was built and the extent of the radon problem.
Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as
other common home repairs. The average house costs
about $1,200 for a contractor to fix, although this
can range from about $800 to about $2,500. The cost
is much less if a passive system was installed
during construction.
Radon and
Home Renovations
If you are
planning any major structural renovation,
such as converting an unfinished basement
area into living space, it is especially
important to test the area for radon before
you begin the renovation. If your test
results indicate a radon problem,
radon-resistant techniques can be
inexpensively included as part of the
renovation. Because major renovations can
change the level of radon in any home,
always test again after work is completed. |
  Lowering
high radon levels requires technical knowledge and
special skills. You should use a contractor who is
trained to fix radon problems. A qualified contractor
can study the radon problem in your home and help you
pick the right treatment method.
Check with
your state radon office for
names of qualified or state certified radon contractors
in your area. You can also contact private radon
proficiency programs for lists of privately certified
radon professionals in your area. For more information
on private radon proficiency programs, visit
www.epa.gov/radon/proficiency.html Picking someone
to fix your radon problem is much like choosing a
contractor for other home repairs - you may want to get
references and more than one estimate.
If you
are considering fixing your home's radon problem
yourself, you should first contact your
state radon office for guidance
and assistance.
You should
also test your home again after it is fixed to be sure
that radon levels have been reduced. Most soil suction
radon reduction systems include a monitor that will
indicate whether the system is operating properly. In
addition, it's a good idea to retest your home every two
years to be sure radon levels remain low.
Note:
This diagram is a composite view of several mitigation
options. The typical mitigation system usually has only
one pipe penetration through the basement floor; the
pipe may also be installed on the outside of the house.
Go to top
 The
Risk of Living With Radon
Radon
gas decays into radioactive particles that can get
trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they
break down further, these particles release small
bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and
lead to lung cancer over the course of your
lifetime. Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of
radon will develop lung cancer. And the amount of
time between exposure and the onset of the disease
may be many years.
Like
other environmental pollutants, there is some
uncertainty about the magnitude of radon health
risks. However, we know more about radon risks than
risks from most other cancer-causing substances.
This is because estimates of radon risks are based
on studies of cancer in humans (underground miners).
Smoking
combined with radon is an especially serious health
risk. Stop smoking and lower your radon level to
reduce your lung cancer risk.
 Children
have been reported to have greater risk than adults
of certain types of cancer from radiation, but there
are currently no conclusive data on whether children
are at greater risk than adults from radon.
Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon
depend mostly on:
- How much
radon is in your home
- The amount
of time you spend in your home
- Whether
you are a smoker or have ever smoked
Go to top
Radon Risk If You Smoke
|
Radon Level |
If 1,000 people who
smoked were exposed to this level over a
lifetime*... |
The risk of cancer from
radon exposure compares to**... |
WHAT TO DO:
Stop smoking and... |
| 20 pCi/L |
About 260 people could get lung cancer |
250 times the risk of drowning |
Fix your home |
| 10 pCi/L |
About 150 people could get lung cancer |
200 times the risk of dying in a home fire |
Fix your home |
| 8 pCi/L |
About 120 people could get lung cancer |
30 times the risk of dying in a fall |
Fix your home |
| 4 pCi/L |
About 62 people could get lung cancer |
5 times the risk of dying in a car crash |
Fix your home |
| 2 pCi/L |
About 32 people could get lung cancer |
6 times the risk of dying from poison |
Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L |
| 1.3 pCi/L |
About 20 people could get lung cancer |
(Average indoor radon level) |
(Reducing radon
evels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.) |
| 0.4 pCi/L |
About 3 people could get lung cancer |
(Average outdoor radon level) |
Note: If you are a former
smoker, your risk may be lower.
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA
Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA
402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001
National Center for Injury Prevention and
Control Reports. |
Radon Risk If You've Never Smoked
|
Radon Level |
If 1,000 people who
never smoked were exposed to this level over a
lifetime*... |
The risk of cancer from
radon exposure compares to**... |
WHAT TO DO: |
| 20 pCi/L |
About 36 people could get lung cancer |
35 times the risk of drowning |
Fix your home |
| 10 pCi/L |
About 18 people could get lung cancer |
20 times the risk of dying in a home fire |
Fix your home |
| 8 pCi/L |
About 15 people could get lung cancer |
4 times the risk of dying in a fall |
Fix your home |
| 4 pCi/L |
About 7 people could get lung cancer |
The risk of dying in a car crash |
Fix your home |
| 2 pCi/L |
About 4 person could get lung cancer |
The risk of dying from poison |
Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L |
| 1.3 pCi/L |
About 2 people could get lung cancer |
(Average indoor radon level) |
(Reducing radon levels below
2 pCi/L is difficult.) |
| 0.4 pCi/L |
|
(Average outdoor radon level) |
Note: If you are a former
smoker, your risk may be higher.
* Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA
Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA
402-R-03-003).
** Comparison data calculated using the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001
National Center for Injury Prevention and
Control Reports. |
It's never too late to reduce your risk of lung
cancer. Don't wait to test and fix a radon problem.
If you are a smoker, stop smoking.
Go to top
MYTH:
Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem.
FACT: Although some scientists dispute
the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the
major health organizations (like the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung
Association and the American Medical Association)
agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of
preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is
especially true among smokers, since the risk to
smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.
MYTH:
Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and
expensive.
FACT: Radon testing is easy. You can
test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon
test company. Either approach takes only a small
amount of time and effort.
MYTH:
Radon testing devices are not reliable and are difficult
to find.
FACT: Reliable testing devices are
available from qualified radon testers and
companies. Reliable testing devices are also
available by phone or mail-order, and can be
purchased in hardware stores and other retail
outlets. Call your
state radon office for help in identifying radon
testing companies.
MYTH:
Homes with radon problems can't be fixed.
FACT: There are simple solutions to radon
problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of
homeowners have already fixed radon problems in
their homes. Radon levels can be readily lowered for
$800 to $2,500 (with an average cost of $1,200)..
Call your
state radon office for help in identifying
qualified mitigation contractors.
MYTH:
Radon affects only certain kinds of homes.
FACT: House construction can affect radon
levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of
all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes,
insulated homes, homes with basements, and homes
without basements. Local geology, construction
materials, and how the home was built are among the
factors that can affect radon levels in homes.
MYTH:
Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country.
FACT: High radon levels have been found
in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to
area, but the only way to know your radon level is
to test.
MYTH: A
neighbor's test result is a good indication of whether
your home has a problem.
FACT: It's not. Radon levels can vary
greatly from home to home. The only way to know if
your home has a radon problem is to test it.
MYTH:
Everyone should test their water for radon.
FACT: Although radon gets into some
homes through water, it is important to first test
the air in the home for radon. If your water comes
from a public water supply that uses ground water,
call your water supplier. If high radon levels are
found and the home has a private well, call the Safe
Drinking Water Hotline at 1 800-426-4791 for
information on testing your water.
MYTH:
It's difficult to sell homes where radon problems have
been discovered.
FACT: Where radon problems have been
fixed, home sales have not been blocked or
frustrated. The added protection is some times a
good selling point.
MYTH:
I've lived in my home for so long, it doesn't make sense
to take action now.
FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung
cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you've
lived with a radon problem for a long time.
MYTH:
Short-term tests can't be used for making a decision
about whether to fix your home.
FACT:
A short-term test, followed by a second
short-term test* can be used to decide whether to
fix your home. However, the closer the average of
your two short-term tests is to 4 pCi/L, the less
certain you can be about whether your year-round
average is above or below that level. Keep in mind
that radon levels below 4 pCi/L still pose some
risk. Radon levels can be reduced in most homes to
2 pCi/L or below.
* If the radon
test is part of a real estate transaction, the
result of two short-term tests can be used in
deciding whether to mitigate. For more information,
see EPA's "Home
Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon".
Go to top
www.epa.gov/radon EPA's main radon page.
Includes links to
publications,
hotlines,
private radon proficiency programs and more.
|
SURGEON GENERAL HEALTH ADVISORY:
"Indoor radon gas is a national health
problem. Radon causes thousands of deaths
each year. Millions of homes have elevated
radon levels. Homes should be tested for
radon. When elevated levels are confirmed,
the problem should be corrected." (1988) |
U.S. EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon
in Homes
In June 2003, the EPA revised its risk
assessment for radon exposure in homes. EPA
estimates that about 21,000 annual lung
cancer deaths are radon related. EPA also
concluded that the effects of radon and
cigarette smoking are synergistic, so that
smokers are at higher risk from radon.
EPA's revised estimates are based on the
National Academy of Sciences 1999 BEIR IV
(Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation)
Report which concluded that radon is the
second leading cause of lung cancer after
smoking. |
Call your state radon
office for additional help with any of your radon
questions. Up-to-date information on how to contact
your state radon office is also available on EPA's
web site at
www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html , or call
EPA's toll free Indoor Air Quality Information
Clearinghouse (IAQINFO) at (800) 438-4318 to obtain
the current listing.
IAQ INFO
P.O. Box 37133, Washington, DC 20013-7133
1-800-438-4318/703-356-4020
(fax) 703-356-5386
iaqinfo@aol.com
or, you can order
this publication directly via EPA's National
Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
(http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/).
web site. Your publication requests can also be
mailed, called or faxed directly to:
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
National Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH 42419
1-800-490-9198/(513) 489-8695 (fax)
Go to top |
