RADON GAS
The prevailing source of radon affecting most of Utah is naturally occurring uranium found in the geology of the Rocky Mountains. Surveys have indicated that 20.0% of homes in Utah have the potential of being above the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) recommended "action level" of 4 picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L)
Zone classifications are based upon the likelihood of finding certain ranges of radon concentrations. Significant variations can and do occur within any county. Note that much of Utah is Zone 1 (radon potential greater than 4 pCi/l).
Regardless of what sellers say about their neighbors' homes, an agent should always suggest that radon is a concern in any area. A discussion with a qualified home inspector is highly recommended.
The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that people not be exposed to more than 4 pCi/L of radiation from radon on a long-term basis. The following table shows the number of smokers and non-smokers likely to get lung cancer by being exposed to various average radon levels over their lifetime.
Radon Level
|
Smokers
likely to get lung cancer out of 1,000 exposed to radon over a lifetime
|
Non-smokers
likely to get lung cancer out of 1,000 exposed to radon over a lifetime
|
EPA Recommendation
on What to do
|
20 pCl/L
|
135
|
8
|
Fix your Home
|
10 pCl/L
|
71
|
4
|
Fix your Home
|
8 pCl/L
|
57
|
3
|
Fix your Home
|
4 pCl/L
|
29
|
2
|
Fix your Home
|
2 pCl/L
|
15
|
1
|
Consider Fixing between
2 and 4 pCl/L
|
1.3 pCl/L
(Average indoor radon level)
|
9
|
less than 1
|
Reducing radon levels below 2 pCl/L is difficult
|
0.4 pCl/L
(Average outdoor radon level)
|
3
|
less than 1
|
U.S. EPA 402-K-00-008, July 2000, page 22
Important Factors to Consider:
Radon poisoning is estimated by the EPA in the "Home Buyers Guide to Radon" to cause as many as 15,000-22,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Nearly 1 in 15 homes in the US are estimated to have elevated levels of radon, in Utah about 20% of the homes are estimated to have a level greater than 4.0 pCi/L of Radon.
At a level of 10 pCi/L Radon Gas, a smoker risk of lung cancer in increased 8 to18 times or 800% to 1,800%.
Radon is a natural radioactive gas formed by uranium decaying in soil, rock, and water. It is tasteless, odorless and invisible. Radon levels outdoors are typically about 0.4pCi/L. Indoor levels above 4.0 pCi/L are considered a health threat over the long term, that may result in lung cancer.
Many states require radon inspections before the sale of a home.
Over time, radon gas can accumulate to dangerous levels within your home.
Radon levels can vary depending upon conditions as opening and closing of windows and doors to changes in the amount of radon gas given off from the ground.
It is recommended by the EPA to take action to reduce Radon levels greater than 4.0 pCi/L. Contact a Radon Mitigation specialist (often found under Radon Mitigation in the Yellow Pages) or contact your State's Radon Expert for help.
Radon #2 cause for Lung Cancer and could be causing 129 Lung Cancers of the 350-400 cancer cases in Utah each year:
93 in Utah smokers +
36 in Utah non-smokers
Visit Utah Division of Radiation Control Online Web Site for more information.
Radon levels in a home can vary on a daily basis between safe and hazardous. Conduct a shot -term test to quickly determine radon levels, after this first test, additional Short-Term, Long-Term, or Continuous Monitoring is recommended. Continuous Radon Monitoring/Sampling utilizing Ionization Chamber Monitor can provide a short-term average readout of the last 7 days, and a long-term cumulative average readout from the day it is first installed. Before spending $2,000 for a radon mitigation system with estimated operation & maintenance cost of $20/monthly, consider long-term( over 90 days) independent continuous monitoring of Radon Levels when initial short term test indicates a level between 2-10 pCl/L.
Chemical & Infrared INSPECTIONS, LLC
South Jordan, Utah * (801) 718-4914
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