vvEPA
CDC
United States :
Environmental Protection
Agency
U.S. Department
Of Health and
Human Services
U.S. Public
Health Service
Indoor Air And Radiation (6604J)
402-K92-001
September 1994
A Citizen's Guide
TO RSdOll (SecondEdiflon)
The Guide To Protecting
Yourself And Your Family
From Radon
Printed on Recycled Paper
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Radon is
estimated
to cause
thousands of
cancer deaths
in the U.S.
each year.
EPA Recommends:
V Test your home for radon-it's easy and
inexpensive.
V Fix your home if your radon level is 4 picocursss
Radon levels less than 4pCi/L still pose a risk,
and in many cases may he reduced.
30,000
deaths
peryear
10,000
Drunk
Driving
RADON* Brownings Fires
Airline
Crashes
Radon is estimated to cause about 14,000 deaths peryear-however, this number could
range from 7,000 to 30,000 deaths per year. The numbers of deaths from other causes
are taken from 1990 National Safety Council reports.
-2-
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Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas,
You can't see radon. And you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a
problem in your home.
Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year.
That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get
lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the
second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Only
smoking causes more lung cancer deaths, If you smoke and your
home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially
high.
Radon can be found all over the U.S.
Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in
soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be
found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building - homes,
offices, and schools - and build up to high levels. But you and your
family are most likely to get your greatest: exposure at home. That's
where you spend most of your time. :
I ;
You should test for radon.
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from
radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes
below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in
schools.
Testing is inexpensive and easy - it should only take a few minutes
of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes
for radon. ;!
You can fix a radon problem.
There are simple ways to fix a radon problem that aren't too costly.
Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.
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'-' "'-"-' •- - • -- '- •- -
Any home may
have a radon
problem.
RADON GETS IN THROUGH:
1. Cracks in solid floors.
2. Construction joints.
3. Cracks in walls.
4. Gaps in
suspended floors.
5. Gaps around
service pipes.
6. Cavities inside walls.
7. The water supply.
HOW DOES RADON GET INTO YOUR HOME?
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium thai]
found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air
above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundatior
Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have
radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty
homes, and homes with or without basements.
Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes
radon enters the home through well water (see page 8). In a small num-
ber of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However,
building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.
Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevat-
ed radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes
in your state. Contact your state radon office (see page 15) for general
information about radon in your area. While radon problems may be
more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only
way to know about your home is to test.
Radon can be a problem in schools and workplaces, too. Ask your
state radon office (see page 15) about radon problems in schools and
workplaces in your area.
-4-
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HOW TO TEST YOUR HOME
You can't see radon, but it's not hard to find out if you have a radon prob-
lem in your home. All you need to do is test for radon. Testing is easy
and should only take a few minutes of your time.
The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picocuries per liter of
air," or "pCi/L." Sometimes test results are expressed in Working Levels
(WL) rather than picocuries per liter (pCi/L). There are many kinds of
low-cost "do it yourself" radon test kits you can get through the mail and
in hardware stores and other retail outlets. Make sure you buy a test kit
that has passed EPA's testing program or is state-certified. These kits will
usually display the phrase "Meets EPA Requirements." If you prefer, or if
you are buying or selling a home, you can. hire a trained contractor to do
the testing for you. Make certain you hire an EPA-qualified or state-certi-
fied radon tester. Call your state radon office (see page 15) for a list of
these testers. ;
There are Two General Ways to Test for Baden:
SHORT-TERM TESTING;
The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your
home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device. "Charcoal canisters," "alpha
track," "electret ion chamber," "continuous monitors," and "charcoal liquid scintillation"
detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing. Because radon levels
tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely
than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. If you need
results quickly, however, a short-term test followed by a second short-term test may
be used to decide whether to fix your home.
LONG-TERM TESTING:
Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. "Alpha track" and
"electret" detectors are commonly used for this type of testing. A long-term test will
give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home's year-round average
radon level than a short-term test.
How To Use a Test Kit:
Follow the instructions that come with your test kit. If you are doing a
short-term test, close your windows and outside doors and keep them
closed as much as possible during the test. (If you are doing a short-terra
test lasting just 2 or 3 days, be sure to close your windows and outside
doors at least 12 hours before beginning the test, too. You should not
conduct short-term tests lasting just 2 or 3 days during unusually severe
storms or periods of unusually high winds.) The test kit should be placed
in the lowest lived-in level of the home (for example, the basement if it is
frequently used, otherwise the first floor). It should be put in a room that
is used regularly (like a living room, playroom, den or bedroom) but not
Testing is easy
ami should only
take a few
minutes of
your time,,
-5-
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your kitchen or bathroom. Place the kit at least 20 inches above the floor in a location
where it won't be disturbed—away from drafts, high heat, high humidity, and exterior
walls. Leave the kit in place for as long as the package says. Once you've finished the
test, reseal the package and send it to the lab specified on the package right away for
study, You should receive your test results within a few weeks,
EPA Recommends the Following Testing Steps:
Stepl. Take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pd/L or higher* take
a follow-up test (Step 2) to he sure.
Step 2. Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test:
• For a hotter understanding of your year-round average
radon level, take a long-term test.
• If you need results quickly, take a second short-term test.
The higher your initial short-term test result, the more certain you can
be that you should take a short-term rather than a long-term follow up
test. If your first short-term test result is several times the action
level—for example, about 10 pd/L or higher—you should take a
second short-term test immediately.
Step 3. • If you followed up with a long-term test: Fix your home if
your long-term test result is 4 pCi/L or more*
• If you followed up with a second short-term test: The higher your
short-term results, the more certain you can he that you should fix
your home. Consider fixing your home if the average of your first and
second test is 4 pd/L or higher*.
* 0.02 Working Levels (WL) or higher.
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WHAT YOUR TEST RESULTS MEAN
'he average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, and
bout 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The U.S.
longress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more
han outdoor levels. While this goal is not yet technologically achievable
i all cases, most homes today can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below.
Sometimes short-term tests are less definitive about whether or not
our home is above 4 pCi/L. This can happen when your results are close
o 4 pCi/L. For example, if the average of your two short-term test results
; 4.1 pCi/L, there is about a 50% chance that your year-round average is
omewhat below 4 pCi/L. However, EPA believes that any radon exposure
arries some risk—no level of radon is safe. Even radon levels below 4
iCi/L pose some risk, and you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by low-
ring your radon level.
If your living patterns change and you begin occupying a lower level of
our home (such as a basement) you should retest your home on that level.
Even if your test result is below 4 pCi/L, you may want to test again
ometime in the future. :
RADON AND HOME SALES
More and more, home buyers and renters are asking about radon levels before
they buy or rent a home. Because real estate sales happen quickly, there is
often little time to deal with radon and other issues. The best thing to do is to
test for radon NOW and save the results in case the buyer is interested in them.
Fix a problem if it exists so it won't complicate your home sale. If you are plan-
ning to move, call your state radon office (see page 15) forEPA's pamphlet
"Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon," which addresses some common
questions. During home sales: '•
• Buyers often ask if a home has been tested, and if elevated levels were
reduced.
• Buyers frequently want tests made by someone who is not involved in the
home sale. Your state office (see page 15) has a list of qualified testers.
• Buyers might want to know the radon levels in areas of the home (like a base-
ment they plan to finish) that the seller might not otherwise test.
Today many homes are built to prevent radon from coming in. Your state or
local area may require these radon-resistant construction features. Radon-
resistant construction features usually keep radon levels in new homes below
2 pCi/L If you are buying or renting a new home, ask the owner or builder if it
has radon-resistant features.
Test your home
now and save
your results. If
you find high
ration levels, fix
your home hefore
you decide to
sell it
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RADON IN WATER
If you've tested
the air in your
home and found
a radon problem,
and your water
comes from a
well, have your
water tested.
Compared to radon entering the
home through soil, radon enter-
ing the home through water will
in most cases be a small source
of risk. Radon gas can enter the
home through well water. It can be
released into the air you breathe
when water is used for showering
and other household uses.
Research suggests that swallow-
ing water with high radon levels
may pose risks, too, although
risks from swallowing water
containing radon are believed to
be much lower than those from
breathing air containing radon.
While radon in water is not a problem in homes served by most public
water supplies, it has been found in well water. If you've tested the air in
your home and found a radon problem, and your water comes from a
well, contact a lab certified to measure radiation in water to have your
water tested. If you're on a public water supply and are concerned that
radon may be entering your home through the water, call your public
water supplier.
Radon problems in water can be readily fixed. The most effective treatme^
is to remove radon from the water before it enters the home. This is called
point-of-entry treatment. Treatment at your water tap is called point-of-use
treatment. Unfortunately, point-of-use treatment will not reduce most of the |
inhalation risk from radon.
Call your state office (see page 15) or the EPA Drinking
Water Hotline (800-426-4791)
for more informa-
tion on radon ^
in water. jr:,:.:
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HOW TO LOWER THE RADON LEVEL
IN YOUR HOME
Since there is no known safe level of radon, there can always be some
risk. But the risk can be reduced by lowering the radon level in your
home.
A variety of methods are used to reduce radon in your home. In some
cases, sealing cracks in floors and walls may help to reduce radon. In
other cases, simple systems using pipes and fans may be used to reduce
radon. Such systems are called "sub-slab depressurization," and do not
require major changes to your home. These systems remove radon gas
from below the concrete floor and the foundation before it can enter the
home. Similar systems can also be installed in houses with crawl spaces.
Radon contractors use other methods that may also work in your home.
The right system depends on the design of your home and other factors.
Ways to reduce radon in your home are discussed in EPA's "Consumer's
Guide to Radon Reduction." You can get a copy from your state radon
office.
The cost of making repairs to reduce radon depends on how your home
was built and the extent of the radon problem. Most homes can be fixed
for about the same cost as other common home repairs like painting or
having a new hot water heater installed. The average house costs about
$1,200 for a contractor to fix, although this can range from about $500 to
about $2,500. ;
RADONANDHOMi
If you are planning
any major structural
renovation, such as
converting an unfin-
ished basement area
into living space, it is
especially important to
test the area for radon
before you begin the
renovation. If your
test results indicate a
radon problem, radon-
resistant techniques
can be inexpensively
included as part of the
renovation. Because
major renovations can
change the level of
radon in any home,
always test again after
work is completed.
-------
Most homes can
be fixed for
about the same
cost as other
common home
repairs.
Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special
skills. You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon problems.
The EPA Radon Contractor Proficiency (RCP) Program tests these con-
tractors. EPA provides a list of RCP contractors to state radon offices
(see page 15). A contractor who has passed the EPA test will carry a spe-
cial RCP identification card. A trained RCP contractor can study the
radon problem in your home and help you pick the right treatment
method.
Check with your state radon office for names of qualified or state certi-
fied radon contractors in your area. Picking someone to fix your radon
problem is much like choosing a contractor for other home repairs - you
may want to get references and more than one estimate.
If you plan to fix the problem in your home yourself, you should first
contact your state radon office (see page 15) for EPA's technical guide,
"Radon Reduction Techniques for Detached Houses."
You should also
test your home
again after it is
fixed to be sure
that radon levels
have been
reduced. Most
radon reduction
systems include a
monitor that will
alert you if the
system needs ser-
vicing. In addi-
tion, it's a good
idea to retest
your home some-
time in the future
to be sure radon
levels remain low.
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THE RISK OF LIVING WITH RADON
Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in
your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these
particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tis-
sue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Not
everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung can-
cer. And the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the
disease may be many years.
Like other environmental pollutants, there is some uncertainty
about the magnitude of radon health risks. However, we know more
about radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing sub-
stances. This is because estimates of radon risks are based on stud-
ies of cancer in humans (underground miners). Additional studies
on more typical populations are under way. '•
Smoking combined with radon is an especially serious health risk.
Stop smoking and lower your radon level to reduce your lung cancer
risk.
Children have been reported to have greater risk than adults of
certain types of cancer from radiation, but there are currently no
conclusive data on whether children are at greater risk than avdults
from radon.
Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:
• How much radon is in your home
• The amount of time you spend in
your home
• Whether you are a smoker or have
ever smoked
Scientists are
more certain
about ration risks
than risks from
most other
cancer-causing
substances.
-11-
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It's never too
late to reduce
your risk of lung
cancer. Don't
wait to test and
fix a ration
problem. If you
are a smoker,
stop smoking.
RADON RISK IF YOU SMOK1
Radon
Level
If 1,000 people who
smoked were exposed
to this level over a
lifetime...
The risk of cancer from
radon exposure compares to.
WHAT TO DO:
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
RADON RISK IF YOU'VE NEVER SMOKED
Radon
Level
If 1,000 people who
never smoked were
exposed to this level
over a lifetime...
The risk of cancer from
WHAT TO DO:
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher.
-12-
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RADON
MYTHS
MYTH: Scientists
aren't sure radon really
is a problem.
FACT. Although some scientists dispute the precise number of
deaths due to radon, all major health organizations (like the
Centers for Disease Control, the American Lung Association
and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates
that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer
deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers,
since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.
MYTH: Radon testing is
difficult, time-
consuming and
expensive.
MYTH: Radon test kits
are not reliable and are
difficult to find.
MYTH: Homes with
radon problems
can't be fixed.
MYTH: Radon only
affects certain kinds
of homes.
FACT: Radon testing is inexpensive and easy-it should take only
a little of your time.
FACT: Reliable test kits are available through the mail, in hard-
ware stores and other retail outlets. Call your state radon
office (see page 15) for a list of test kit companies that have
met EPA requirements for reliability or are state certified.
FACT: There are simple solutions to ration problems in homes.
Thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems
in their homes. Radon levels can be readily lowered for
about $500 to $2,500. Call your state radon office (see page
15) for a list of contractors that Slave met EPA requirements
or are state certified.
FACT: House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon
can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new
homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with base-
ments, homes without basements.
-13-
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MYTH: Radon is only a
problem in certain parts
of the country.
FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon
problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know
your radon level Is to test.
MYTH: A neighbor's
test result is a good
indication of whether
your home has
a problem.
MYTH: Everyone
should test their water
for radon.
MYTH: It's difficult to
sell homes where radon
problems have
been discovered.
MYTH: I've lived in my
home for so long, it
doesn't make sense to
take action now.
MYTH: Short-term tests
can't be used for
making a decision
about whether to fix
your home.
FACT. It's not. Radon levels wary from home to home. The only
way to know If your home has a radon problem is to test it.
FACT: While radon gets into some homes through the water, you
should first test the air in your home for radon. If you find
high levels and your water conies from a well, contact
a lah certified to measure radiation In water to have your
water tested.
FACT: Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have not
been blocked or frustrated. The added protection is some
times a good selling point.
FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce
radon levels, even if you've lived with a radon problem for a
long time.
FACT: A short-term test followed by a second short-term test may
be used to decide whether to fix your home. However, the
closer the average of your two short-term tests is to 4 pCi/L,
the less certain you can be about whether your year-round
average is above or below that level. Keep in mind that
radon levels below 4 pd/L still pose some risk. Radon levels
can be reduced in most homes to 2 pCi/L or below.
-14-
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STATE
RADON
CONTACTS
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut \
Delaware :
District of Columbia '••
Florida
Georgia \
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois '•
Indiana •
Iowa
Kansas i
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts ;
Michigan (
Minnesota
Mississippi \
Missouri i
800/582-1866
800/478-8324
602/255-4845
501/661-2301
800/745-7236
800/846-3986
203/566-3122
800/554-4636
202/727-5728
800/543-8279
800/745-0037
808/586-4700
800/445-8647
800/325-1245
800/272-9723
800/383-5992
913/296-6183
502/564-3700
800/256-2494
800/232-0842
800/872-3666
413/586-7525
800/723-6642
800/798-9050
800/626-7739
800/669-7236
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
INDIAN NATIONS '••
All Indian Pueblo Council
Cherokee Nation
Chickasaw Nation
Hopi Tribe
Inner Tribal Council
Jicarilla Apache Tribe •
Navajo Nation
505-881-2254
918-458-5496
405-436-2603
602-734-2441
602-248-0071
505-759-3242
602-871-7754
Oneida Indian Nation
Seneca Nation
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
For Indian Nations in the
States of MN,WI,!L,
Ml, IN,and OH.call
406/444-3671
800/334-9491
702/687-5394
800/852-3345x4674
800/648-0394
505/827-4300
800/458-1158
919/571-4141
701/221-5188
800/523-4439
405/271-1902
503/731-4014
800/237-2366
809/767-3563
401/277-2438
800/768-0362
800/438-3367
800/232-1139
512/834-6688
800/536-4250
800/640-0601
800/468-0138
800/922-1255
608/267-4795
800/458-5847
315-361-6300
716-532-0024
518-358-3141
312-886-6063
FOR
FURTHER
INFORMATION
For more information on how to reduce your radon
health risk, ask your state radon office to send
you these guides:
* Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon
• Radon in Schools
• Radon: A Physician's Guide
• Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction
• Technical Support Document
If you plan to make repairs yourself, be sure
to contact your state radon office (see above)
fora current copy ofEPA's technical guidance on radon mitigation,
"Application of Radon Reduction Techniques for Detached Houses."
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1995-620-596
-15-
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SURGEON GENERAL HEALTH ADVISORY:
"Indoor radon gas is a national health problem. Radon
causes thousands of deaths each year. Millions of
homes have elevated radon levels. Homes should be
tested for radon. When elevated levels are confirmed,
the problem should be corrected."
ISBN 0-16-036222-9
90000
For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328
ISBN 0-16-036222-9
9 "780160" 362224"
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