In this article Jeanine Humphrey explains why Nebraska homes are at risk for elevated radon, what determines a home’s radon concentration and why regular testing is essential.
Radon is a serious concern for Nebraska homeowners. According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, more than half of radon tests conducted in the state have produced results above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Elevated levels have also been found in every Nebraska county with available testing data. Regardless of where you live or how old your home is, testing is the only way to determine your radon level.
To learn more about radon, your home’s radon concentration and how to limit your radon exposure, check out the following helpful information.
What is Radon?
In order to limit the threat of radon in your home, it’s important to understand exactly what it is and where it comes from. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that is both colorless and odorless.
In nature, radon disperses quickly into the atmosphere and causes minimal health issues. However, radon can leak into homes through cracks in the foundation. When trapped inside, it can lead to a host of medical issues, particularly when the individuals have been exposed to the radon for many years.
As a person breathes in radon, their lungs are exposed to small amounts of radiation that can significantly damage their cells and even lead to various types of cancer. Though it may be surprising, radon exposure is currently the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, with smoking as the leading cause.
While radon poses a serious threat to homeowners and their families, the good news is that it can be identified and controlled with regular radon testing.
Are Radon Levels High in Nebraska Homes?
Nebraska has a particularly high incidence of residential radon. More than half of the radon tests reported to Nebraska DHHS have shown concentrations at or above 4 pCi/L.
However, statewide and county averages cannot predict the radon level inside a particular home. Radon levels can vary significantly between neighboring properties due to differences in soil, construction, foundation condition and airflow.
Elevated radon can occur in:
- New and older homes
- Homes with or without basements
- Well-sealed and drafty homes
- Homes built with radon-resistant features
- Properties in any Nebraska county
The EPA recommends taking steps to reduce radon when a test result is 4 pCi/L or higher. Since there is no known risk-free level of radon exposure, homeowners may also consider reducing levels that fall between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
Even homes constructed with radon-resistant techniques should be tested after move-in. Radon-resistant features help limit exposure, but a complete mitigation system may still be necessary if testing identifies elevated levels.
What Determines A Home’s Radon Concentration?
While it is not unusual for a home to contain a limited amount of radon (2.7 cPi/L or lower is ideal), radon concentration is largely determined by environmental and structural conditions.
Radon itself is a result of the natural decay of uranium, an element which is present in nearly every type of soil. As the uranium decays, it releases radon into the surrounding soil, which rises up and seeps through any cracks or holes in homes’ foundations. Over time, the radon accumulates and becomes increasingly dangerous for residents, who unknowingly breathe in the radioactive gas day after day.
The second most common source of radon concentration – after soil – is water supply. Although it is less likely that radon will enter your home through the water supply than through soil, it is still a possibility that should be taken seriously.
For example, well water can contain radon, which can be a health risk for residents when they breathe in radon that’s released during showers. Drinking water containing radon can also lead to cases of stomach cancer, but studies show that inhaling radon that can cause lung cancer is the bigger risk. It’s always a good idea to test your water for radon, especially if you source your water from a private well.
Lastly, radon can also enter a home through the decay of construction materials such as brick, marble and granite, but this is a much less common point of entry than through soil or water.
Concerned About Your Home’s Radon Levels? Take Action Now
Because radon has no odor or color to indicate its presence in your home, it is crucial to regularly test your home for radon concentration. This is the only way to ensure that you and your family are not inhaling or consuming dangerous amounts of radon, either through the air or water supply.
When radon accumulates in a home, residents unknowingly inhale the radioactive gas, which then damages the cells in their lungs. Though less common, when consumed in water, it can lead to serious health issues such as stomach cancer.
Hiring M.A.R.S. Environmental to test your home’s radon concentration is the first step to maintaining a safe and healthy home. Not only will we determine your home’s current radon concentration, we will also help you decide what mitigation measures should be taken to reduce your home’s future radon accumulation.
If you haven’t tested your home for radon recently, or you’re about to move into a new home, contact M.A.R.S. Environmental. Take a look at the following ways to reduce the risk of radon exposure in your home.
Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Radon Exposure
If you are concerned about your home’s radon concentration, it is important to take action once a problem is detected. Start by contacting M.A.R.S. Environmental and requesting a professional radon test.
If testing confirms an elevated radon level, a qualified radon professional can recommend a mitigation system based on the construction and condition of your home. These systems typically use a fan and vent pipe to draw radon from beneath the home and release it safely outdoors.
Sealing cracks and openings in the foundation may be included as part of a mitigation strategy. However, the EPA does not recommend relying on sealing alone because it has not been shown to reduce radon levels consistently. Opening doors and windows may temporarily lower indoor radon, but it is not a dependable long-term solution.
When completing a short-term radon test, keep doors and windows closed and follow all instructions included with the testing device. This will help produce a more accurate measurement of the home’s typical indoor radon level.
How Often Should You Test Your Home For Radon?
Although it may be easy to overlook or postpone, radon testing should be a priority for Nebraska homeowners. The more vigilant you are about monitoring radon, the better prepared you will be to protect your family from long-term exposure.
The EPA and Nebraska DHHS recommend testing your home every two years, even if you have a radon mitigation system installed or a previous test produced a low result.
You should also test after completing major renovations, making structural changes, finishing a basement or altering your heating and ventilation systems. Radon can be present in homes of any age, so both new and older Nebraska homes should be tested regularly.
Protect Yourself and Your Family From Radon Concentration
Colorless and odorless, radon is a radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes and cause serious health problems for residents.
Although most homes contain some level of radon, it is crucial to perform regular radon testing in order to keep its concentration below 4 cPi/L. Above this level, radon concentration can lead to significant health issues for a home’s inhabitants, including lung or stomach cancer. To reduce this risk, M.A.R.S. Environmental can test your home’s radon concentration and recommend a mitigation system if necessary.
M.A.R.S. Environmental will intervene in a timely manner to evacuate the radon that’s accumulated in your home, effectively making your home a safer, healthier place. Contact M.A.R.S. Environmental today.
