FAQs: Acceptable Radon Levels. What constitutes an acceptable or safe radon level? According to the EPA, the maximum “acceptable” level of radon is 4.0 pCi/L, but even that level is not “safe”, per se. The EPA strongly recommends you consider radon mitigation
between levels 2.0 and 4.0
.
Is 2.5 a safe radon level?
The EPA strongly recommends radon mitigation if your radon levels are above 4 pCi/L, though radon levels below 4 still pose a health risk. They recommend you consider mitigation if your radon levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L. They are quick to point out that
there is no known safe level of radon
.
What level of radon is acceptable?
EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is
4 pCi/L
(picocurries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that Americans consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
What are normal radon levels in a house?
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.
How much exposure to radon is dangerous?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends radon levels at home below 148 Bq/m3. According to the WHO, “lung cancer risk rises
16 % per 100 Bq/m3 increase
in radon exposure”.
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.
Is 6 a high radon level?
Levels of
4 pCi/L or higher are considered hazardous
. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk and in many cases can be reduced, although it is difficult to reduce levels below 2 pCi/L. The EPA estimates that a radon removal system costs about $1,200 for an average house.
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
.
Will opening basement windows 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. … Opening basement windows
helps reduce negative air pressure
, diluting radon with clean outdoor air.
How bad is a radon level of 10?
| Radon Level If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime*… | 10 pCi/L About 18 people could get lung cancer | 8 pCi/L About 15 people could get lung cancer | 4 pCi/L About 7 people could get lung cancer | 2 pCi/L About 4 person could get lung cancer |
|---|
What are signs of radon poisoning?
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 quickly does radon dissipate?
This increase in ventilation mixes outdoor air with the indoor air containing radon, and can result in reduced radon levels. However, once windows, doors and vents are closed, radon concentrations most often return to previous values
within about 12 hours
.
Does radon make you tired?
Additional, long-term symptoms of radon gas exposure include loss of appetite, weight loss, and
fatigue
. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms above because not only do they indicate symptoms of radon exposure, but consistent exposure to radon can also lead to lung cancer.
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.
How much does radon go up in winter?
Radon levels can vary by season, with the highest levels typically occurring during the months that we heat our homes. That means that even if your home’s radon was below the EPA’s suggested action level of
4.0 picocuries per liter of air
during the warmer months, it could be above that level during the winter.
Does radon get worse over time?
The EPA even recommends checking radon levels at least every two years as
radon flow can increase over a timescale longer than one calendar year
. This is to say, just as radon levels fluctuate within a calendar year, they also fluctuate as years pass.
