Radon Can Appear Where Not Expected
I wrote a post on Radon levels increasing in a home, that got many comments, thank you, as well as some from people that were a bit surprised at where it can appear as well as the mistaken belief as to where it cannot appear. Also, with the 18" of snow dumped over the past weekend, that allows for a better possibility of radon entering homes.
Radon is More Common in Northern States
Again, Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil, and water.
What is below grade is understandably an unknown and it is also not exclusive to the Western Hemisphere.
Itis more common in the northern part of the US as the image denotes.
State by state numbers for radon are found on the World Population web page.
On that page, I noticed that Connecticut ranked in the mid-range with an average test result of 3.4 pCi/L. However, I have seen homes show results as high as 14 pCi/l which is 3 1/2 times the recommended EPA safe level.
Homes on Slabs Are Safe
As Radon does show itself with greater frequency in homes in basements, it can also show itself at high levels with homes built on slabs.
When foundations are determined for home construction, the ground is often disturbed to allow for service penetrations. When the base is prepared, it would be compacted as best it can before the slab is poured. Over time, the soil will further compress on its own, and a gap will be created. As the gas is generated below grade, it will find its way to this gap and ultimately into the living space though those service penetrations or even stress cracks in the concrete itself.
We had a major drop of snow across the country this past week. In our area, we had 18" delivered. This would definitely make the movement of radon gas seek out cervices where it can vent which would be living spaces in homes with basements or also on slabs.
How does Radon get into Water
Radon does seek easy paths, and dug wells are also an avenue. When a well is dug, it cuts through topsoil and various levels of strata that are not solid until the bedrock is hit. The hole from surface to bedrock is protected with a steel casing. Nothing can get into the well through the casing.
However, once the bedrock is reached, it is an avenue for sub surface gases to enter the well and if it is holding water as a reservoir, that is how radon gets onto the water.
Remediation for radon in water requires equipment separate from that used for the sub surface gas that enters the home.
Health Risks from Radon
Lung Cancer: The primary health risk from radon exposure is lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths annually. Most of this risk comes from inhaling radon gas released from water during activities like showering, cooking, and washing dishes.
Stomach Cancer: While the risk of stomach cancer from drinking water containing radon is lower than the risk of lung cancer from inhalation, it is still a concern.
Ingesting radon can lead to internal organ cancers, particularly if exposure is prolonged.
Those most vulnerable to radon would be people with breathing issues, such as asthma, elderly people and youngsters, as well as pets.
Radon Can Appear Where Not Expected
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