Radon Home Page
Radon
Found all over the U.S., radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is odorless, colorless, tasteless and chemically inert. Radon gas comes from radioactive decay of uranium and radium in soil, rock, and groundwater. It emits ionizing radiation during its radioactive decay to several radio active isotopes known as decay products.
Radon gets into the indoor air primarily from soil under homes and other buildings. It is a known human lung carcinogen (the second leading cause for lung cancer) and is the largest source of radiation exposure and risk to the general public. Most inhaled radon is rapidly exhaled, but the inhaled decay products readily deposit in the lung, where they irradiate sensitive cells in the airways increasing the risk of lung cancer.
Radon: EPA Suggested level and Prevention
In the early 1990's the EPA established a radon action level of 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per Liter) for mitigating homes.
The EPA estimates that approximately 6% (about 1 in 15) of the homes in the United States have elevated radon levels (at or above 4 pCi/L).
EPA’s indoor radon program promotes voluntary public actions to reduce the risks from indoor radon. EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that people do a simple home test and if high levels of radon are confirmed, reduce those high levels with straight-forward techniques like improving ventilation existing ventilation and mitigation.
Radon: Health Effects
Uranium, radium, and radon are naturally occurring radionuclides found in the environment. No information is available on the acute (short-term) non-cancer effects of the radionuclides in humans. Animal studies have reported inflammatory reactions in the nasal passages and kidney damage from acute inhalation exposure to uranium.
Radium, via oral exposure, is known to cause bone, head, and nasal passage tumors in humans, and radon, via inhalation exposure, causes lung cancer in humans. Uranium may cause lung cancer and tumors of the lymphatic and hematopoietic tissues. EPA has not classified uranium, radon or radium for carcinogenicity.
Acute Effects- Acute effects occur within hours or days of the time that a person consumes a contaminant. Sympotoms include vomiting, diarrhea, reduction in the number of blood cells , bleeding, hair loss, temporary sterility in males, and lens opacity (clouding of vision) as well as others. Death may occur with prolonged exposure anywhere between 20days and a few months depending on the exposure level.
Chronic Exposure - Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure to uranium and radon in humans has been linked to respiratory effects, such as chronic lung disease, while radium exposure has resulted in acute leukemia, anemia, necrosis of the jaw, and other effects. Cancer is the major effect of concern from the radionuclides.
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; and whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked.
Prenatal-Developmental Effects - Any adverse effect Radon will have on an adult will be intensified in a young child or unborn fetus. Malformations and reduced fetal weight has been shown in animals exposed to uranium.
Radon in your Home
Bier VI report: The Bier report
Detection- Radon is a natually occurring radioacitve gas. It is a colorless and odorless noble gas and these characteristics make it difficult to detect without proper equiment.
Ventilation
Radon Related Documents
FAQ (linked back to FAQ main document)
National Contacts
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) 
National Radon Proficiency Program
Administrative Office
P.O. Box 2109
24 Cardinal Ridge Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Toll Free: (800) 269-4174 or (828) 890-4117
Fax: (828) 890-4161
http://www.radongas.org/
e-mail: angel@radon.com
The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)
P.O. Box 703
Athens, TX 75751
Toll Free: (866) 329-3474
Fax: (903) 675-3748
http://www.nrsb.org
e-mail: info@NRSB.org