Radon
can seep into houses, schools and other buildings through cracks in the foundation. Inhaling it over time can cause lung cancer. Smokers exposed to radon are more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers. Learn more about Radon in Homes, Schools and Buildings.
What can affect a radon test?
Rain, thunderstorms and high wind
can also have an affect on radon testing results. Radon readings have been known to go down when the outdoor wind speeds increase during periods of high humidity. When the seasons change such as fall to winter, radon testing can be affected.
Does cigarette smoke affect radon testing?
EPA and the Public Health Service promote
home testing for radon
, especially in households with a person who smokes. However, it is unknown whether households that contain smokers are more likely than those without smokers to test for radon.
What should you not do during a radon test?
Weather patterns
– Do not conduct a short-term test during conditions that can influence the test results, such as stormy weather or very high winds. Test interference – Do not move the test device or open doors and windows during the test, as these actions can result in understated radon levels.
What can make a radon test high?
#2 Weather Conditions.
Rain, thunderstorms and high wind
can also have an affect on radon testing results. Radon readings have been known to go down when the outdoor wind speeds increase during periods of high humidity. When the seasons change such as fall to winter, radon testing can be affected.
What time of day is radon highest?
During the day, the sun beats down and heats up the house from the outside in, but
at night
, there is a rapid cooldown. This results in slightly higher radon levels during the day, rather than at night.
What time of year are radon levels highest?
To answer that question, yes, radon levels in a home tend to be higher during
the winter
. And those higher levels of radon gas can lead to an increased chance of lung cancer. While indoor radon gas levels are generally higher during winter, sometimes the summer can have higher indoor radon levels.
How often do radon tests fail?
The average US home has about 1.3 pCi/l, but the EPA has designated much of southeast Michigan as a “hot spot.” In the general Ann Arbor area, for example,
about 45% of untreated homes will fail the radon test
.
Where is the best place to put a radon test?
EPA recommends that testing device(s) be placed
in the lowest level of the home suitable for occupancy
. This means testing in the lowest level (such as a basement), which a buyer could use for living space without renovations.
Will running a fan reduce radon?
Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. … Running a window fan in a basement window reduces radon levels, but
only if the fan blows air into the basement
.
What are the symptoms of radon in your home?
Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing),
a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing
. If you smoke and you know you’ve been exposed to high levels of radon, it’s very important to quit smoking.
How do you fix high radon in a basement?
In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by
ventilating the crawlspace passively
, or actively, with the use of a fan. Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home’s suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the home.
Does opening doors affect a radon test?
Opening windows and exterior
doors may cause radon levels to drop as indoor air gets diluted
by outside air. But it is not unusual for Radon levels in a house to actually increase due to open windows.
How quickly can radon affect you?
Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually
takes 5 to 25 years to develop
.
Does radon get worse in winter?
Since
radon levels are likely to be higher during the winter
you can expect the level to not rise much higher during the rest of the year. You are also most vulnerable to radon during the winter since you will be inside for much of it and breathing the same reheated, recirculated air.
Is it OK to live in a house with radon?
The EPA states, “Radon is a health hazard with a simple solution.” Once radon reduction measures are in place, home buyers need not worry about the quality of the air in the home. … Since removing radon is relatively simple,
your family will be safe in a home with a radon reduction system in place
.
