Radon Info

Quick Answers:

What is a picocurie?
A picocurie is a measurement used for radon on a per liter of air basis. The abbreviation of picocuries per liter is pi/L and it stands for the amount of radioactivity in a liter of air.

I don't work in a mine, so why should I worry about being exposed to radon?
Mines are only one method of being exposed to radon. Ordinary houses situated on soils or rocks that contain uranium which is the source radon may be exposed to radon. Uranium composes about a one-billionth of the rock normallly found beneath house, however, very small amounts of uranium are needed to make 4 pi/L of radon (the EPA's radon action level) For more information about uranium decay, refer to the radon decay pathway link.

What exactly is under my house?
In the majority of New York State, there are three layers of rock and soil below the surface. The first layer is the soil layer, which is a combination of organic material and weathered rock. The soil layer can be anywhere from 10 feet deep to as shallow as 3 feet. This layer is divided into 4 zones, A, B, C, and Z with the A zone being at the top and Z being at the bottom. The deeper the layer, the less weathering you will find on the rock. The second layer is known as Glacial Till, which is made out of inorganic material. It is composed of pieces of rock that have been moved about by glaciers. The Glacial Till layer may contain high concentrations of uranium. The third layers is known as Bedrock. This layer does not move and may or may not contain uranium.

What is uranium?
Uranium is known as the parent element of radon, this means that when uranium decays, one of its daughter products (resulting prodducts) is radon. Specifically, Uranium 238 is the isotope which decays, after a series of steps, into radon. For more information on decay pathways, refer to the radon decay pathway

What is radon?
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. A person cannot see, smell or taste radon, but if they inhale it, they are at a high risk of getting lung cancer. Radon is thought to causes thousands of deaths a year. People who smoke and are exposed to radon have a much higher risk of getting lung cancer than non-smokers

Is there anything I can do to protect my family?
If you suspect that your house may be exposed to radon, the best thing to do is to test it. The EPA recommends the following steps:

First, take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher take a follow-up test

Second, use either a long-term or a short-term test as your follow-up, if you need results fast, a short-term test is recommended, take the long-term test if you want year-round results. It is advised that the higher yor initial test level was in the house, the more likely it is to be a danger, and a second short-term test is recommended.

Third, if your home is had a radon level higher than 4 pCi/L you should get it fixed.

If there is radon in my house, should I move?
With some changes, your home can be safe to live in even if you do have a radon problem. Usually, some sort of ventilation system must be installed, but most repairs are not extravagantly priced. To find qualified or state certified radon contracters in your area, contact your state radon office. Their link can be found at www.epa.gov/radon/proficiency.html

How much is too much?
If you test your house and get a value of 4 pCi/L or higher, you should consider making the proper renovations to reduce your radon problem.

Can radon actually harm me?
Yes it can. When a person breathes in radon gas, the particles get stuck in their lungs and decay into smaller, radioactive particles. As these particles continue to break down, they release small amounts of energy into the lungs which may lead to lung cancer. Smokers, who are already at a higher risk of getting lung cancer, increase their risk by also being exposed to radon.

What does radon look like?
Radon cannot be seen by the naked eye, nor can it be smelled or tasted.

I don't live in an area that has high radon levels, so do I need to test?
High radon levels have been found in every state, although some areas are more prone than others. The only way for you to be sure that your home is safe is to conduct a test. Short-term tests are inexpensive, easy -to-use and can give you a good idea as to how safe your house really is.

My neighbors don't have a radon problem, do I need to test my house?
Radon exposure varies house to house. So just becuase your neighbors do not have a radon problem does not guarantee that your house is also safe.

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