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Fact Sheet

January 2006

 

RADON FACT SHEET

 

What is Radon?
Radon is an odorless and invisible gas that is harmful to humans at elevated levels. It occurs naturally in the soil, produced by the radioactive breakdown of uranium and radium. Radon seeps into buildings, including homes. The average indoor radon level in the United States is 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air, based on a national residential radon survey completed in 1991. Annual radon levels of more than 4 pCi/L are considered elevated, and remediation is recommended.

Where is Radon Found?
The primary source of high levels of radon in homes is the surrounding soil. Radon at elevated levels has been found in homes in every state. It is found in new and old homes, with and without basements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that as many as one in 15 homes across the United States has elevated radon levels. Radon levels can vary from area to area and can vary considerably from house to house, even on the same street. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend radon testing for all homes.

EPA has identified areas of the United States with the potential for elevated indoor radon levels. EPA's Map of Radon Zones assigns each of the 3,141 counties in the United States to one of three zones, based on radon potential:

Zone maps can be accessed on the Web at: http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html

How Does Radon Get Into A Home?
Warm air rises, creating a small vacuum in the lower areas of a house. Radon gas seeps into a house the same way air and other soil gases enter: from the soil around and under the home and through cracks in the foundation, floor or walls; hollow-block walls; and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps.

What are the Health Effects of Radon?
There is overwhelming scientific agreement that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans. Radiation emitted from radon can cause cellular damage that can lead to cancer when it strikes living tissue in the lungs. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 21,000 deaths every year.

How do Residents Find Out if Their Homes have Elevated Levels of Radon?
Residents can test their homes for radon by obtaining test kits from their state radon programs or the American Lung Association. Testing a home for radon is simple and can help residents avoid putting themselves and their families at risk. Radon test kits can be ordered from the Nebraska radon program at 1-800-334-9491 or the American Lung Association at 800-586-4872.

How Can Residents Fix Elevated Levels of Radon?
Qualified radon mitigation contractors can install a radon mitigation system that provides a permanent solution. A typical radon mitigation system includes a suction point that addresses the soil under the structure. A home that has been mitigated will usually have a much lower radon level than the EPA’s action level of 4 picocuries per liter. Addressing residential radon issues is an excellent first step toward assuring good indoor air quality. A list of licensed mitigation contractors can be obtained from the Nebraska radon program.

Where Can Residents Get Additional Information?
The American Lung Association HelpLine is an excellent source of clear and accurate information about radon and other lung health issues. The HelpLine is unique in having professional, credentialed staff qualified to help find answers to your questions. Call 1-800-LUNGUSA for free counseling with registered nurses, respiratory therapists and quit-smoking specialists. The line is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST. TTY for hearing impaired: (800) 501-1068.

Additional information about radon is available from the state radon program at

http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/enh/radon/radonNEHHSSInfo.htm

EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/radon

American Lung Association Web site at www.lungusa.org.

 

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