Indoor Air And Radiation (6609J)
402-K-02-006
Revised May 2002
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/citguide.html
The Guide To Protecting
Yourself And Your Family
From Radon
Printed on Recycled Paper
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Test your home for radon-it's easy and
inexpensive.
Fix your home if your radon level is
4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.
Radon levels less than 4 pCI/L still pose a
risk, and in many cases may be reduced.
f Radon is estimated to cause between 15,000 and 22,000 tung cancer deaths
peryear, according to the Mationai Academy of Sciences 1998 data. The
numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from 2001 National Safety
Council reports.
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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 Mgh radon levels, your risk of king cancer is especially
high.
Radon can he 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 result in a high indoor radon level. But you
and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home,
Thafs where you spend most of your time.
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 (see page 5).
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,
New homes can he built with radon-resistant features.
Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing
radon entry. When instaEed properly and completely, these simple and
inexpensive techniques can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes.
In addition, instaEing them at the time of construction makes it easier
and less expensive to reduce radon levels further if these passive
techniques don't reduce radon levels to below 4pCi/L. Every new home
should be tested after occupancy, even if it was built radon-resistant.
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Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium
that is 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
foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home
may have a 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 number
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 elevated
radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your
state. Contact your state radon office (see back cover) 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 also be a problem in schools and workplaces. Ask your
state radon office (see back cover) about radon problems in schools, daycare
and childcare facilities, and workplaces in your area.
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You can't see radon, but it's not hard to find out if you have a radon
problem 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) (see page 6). There are many
kinds of
low-cost "do it yourself "radon test kits you can get through the mail and
in some hardware stores and other retail outlets. If you prefer, or if you are
buying or selling a home, you can hire a qualified tester to do the testing
for you. You should first contact your state radon office about obtaining a
list of qualified testers. You can also contact a private radon proficiency
program for lists of privately certified radon professionals serving your
area. For links and more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/
proficiency, html.
The quickest way to test Is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain In your
home lor two days to 90 days, depending on the device. "Charcoal canisters," "alpha
track," "electretlon 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, (see also page 7 under Home Sales)
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
give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home's year-round average radon
level than a short-term test.
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. Heating and air conditioning
system fans that re-circulate air may be operated. Do not operate fans or
other machines which bring in air from outside. Fans that are part of a
radon-reduction system or small exhaust fans operating only for short
periods of time may run during the test. If you are doing a short-term 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
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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 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 analysis. You should receive your test results within a few weeks.
Step 7. Take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pd/L or higher*, take
a follow-up test (Step 2) to be sure.
Step 2. Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test:
• For a better 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 more than twice EPA's 4pCi/L
action level, 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 pd/L or more*.
• If you followed up with a second short-term test: The higher your
short-term results, the more certain you can be 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*, (see also page 7 under Home Sales)
* 0.02 Working Levels (WL) or higher.
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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. While this goal is not yet technologically achievable
in 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
your home is above 4 pCi/L. This can happen when your results are close
to 4 pCi/L. For example, if the average of your two short-term test results
is 4.1 pCi/L, there is about a 50% chance that your year-round average is
somewhat below 4 pCi/L. However, EPA believes that any radon exposure
carries some risk—no level of radon is safe. Even radon levels below
4 pCi/L pose some risk, and you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by
lowering your radon level.
If your living patterns change and you begin occupying a lower level of
your 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
sometime in the future.
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 planning to move, call your state radon
office (see back page) for EPA's pamphlet "Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon," which addresses
some common questions (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/realestate.html). You can also use the results
of two short-term tests done side-by-side (four inches apart) to decide whether to fix your home.
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 radon
office (see back cover) can assist you in identifying a qualified tester.
• Buyers might want to know the radon levels in areas of the home (like a basement they plan to finish) that
the seller might not otherwise test.
Today many homes are built to help 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. The EPA recommends building new homes with radon-resistant features in high radon
potential (Zone 1) areas. For more information, refer to the EPA's Map of Radon Zones and other useful EPA
documents on radon-resistant new construction (see back cover), or visit http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon. Even
if built radon-resistant, every new home should be tested for radon after occupancy. If you have a test result
of4pd/L or more, you can have a qualified mitigator easily add a vent fan to an existing passive system for
about $300 and further reduce the radon level in your home.
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The radon in your home's indoor
air can come from two sources, the
soil or your water supply.
Compared to radon entering the
home through water, radon
entering your home through the
soil is usually a much larger risk.
The radon in your water supply
poses an inhalation risk and an
ingestion risk. Research has
shown that your risk of lung
cancer from breathing radon in air
is much larger than your risk of
stomach cancer from swallowing
water with radon in it. Most of
your risk from radon in water
comes from radon released into the air when water is used for showering
and other household purposes.
Radon in your home's water is not usually a problem when its source is
surface water. A radon in water problem is more likely when its source is
ground water, e.g. a private well or a public water supply system that uses
ground water. Some public water systems treat their water to reduce
radon levels before it is delivered to your home. If you are concerned that
radon may be entering your home through the water and your water
comes from a public water supply, contact your water supplier.
If you've tested your private well and have a radon in water problem, it
can be easily fixed. Your home's water supply can be treated in two ways.
Point-of-entry treatment can effectively remove radon from the water
before it enters your home. Point-of-use treatment devices remove radon
from your water at the tap, but only treat a small portion of the water you
use and are not effective in reducing the risk from breathing radon
released into the air from all water used in the home.
For more information, call EPA's
Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-^
or visit http://www.epa.gov/
safewater/radon.html. If
your water comes from
a private well, you can
also contact your
state radon office.
-47!
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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, known as soil suction, 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, or view it online at www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/index.html.
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 $800 to
about $2,500. The cost is much less if a passive system was installed during
construction.
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 ares for radon
before you begin tbe
renovation, if your
test results Indicate a
radon problem, radon-
resistant techniques
can be inexpensively
Included as part of tbe
renovation. Because
major renovations can
change the level of
radon in any home,
always test again after
work is eonioieted.
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Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special
skills. You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon problems. A
qualified 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. You can also contact private radon
proficiency programs for lists of privately certified radon professionals in
your area. For more information on private radon proficiency programs,
visit http:llwww.epa.gov/iaqlradonlproficiency.html. 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 are considering fixing your home's radon problem yourself, you should
first contact your state radon office for guidance and assistance.
You should also test your home again after it is fixed to be sure that
radon levels have been reduced. Most soil suction radon reduction systems
include a
monitor that will
indicate whether
the system is
operating
properly. In
addition, it's a
good idea to
retest your home
every two years
to be sure radon
levels remain
low.
10
Note: This diagram is a composite view of several mitigation
options. The typical mitigation system usually has only one pipe
penetration through the basement floor; the pipe may also be
installed on the outside of the house.
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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 cancer.
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
substances. This is because estimates of radon risks are based on
studies of cancer in humans (underground miners).
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 adults
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
11
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Radon
Level
20pCi/L
10pCi/L
8pCi/L
4pCi/L
2pCi/L
1.3pCi/L
0.4pCi/L
If 1,000 people who
smoked were exposed
to this tevet over a
lifetime. . .
About 135 people
could get lung cancer
About 71 people
could get lung cancer
About 57 people
could get lung cancer
About 29 people
could get lung cancer
About 15 people
could get lung cancer
About 9 people
could get lung cancer
About 3 people
could get lung cancer
The risk of cancer from
radon exposure compares to. . .
4 100 times the risk
of drowning
4 100 times the risk of
dying in a home fire
4 100 times the risk of dying
in an airplane crash
4 2 times the risk of dying
in a car crash
(Average indoor radon level)
(Average outdoor radon level)
WHAT TO PO;
Stop Smoking and. . .
Fix your home
Fix your home
Fix your home
Fix your home
Consider fixing
between 2 and 4 pd/L
(Reducing
radon levels
below
2pCi/Lis
difficult)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.
Radon
Level
20pCi/L
WpCi/L
8pCi/L
4pCi/L
2pCi/L
1.3pCi/L
0.4pCi/L
if tOOO people who
never smoked were
exposed to this level
over a lifetime. ..
About 8 people
could get lung cancer
About 4 people
could get lung cancer
About 3 people
could get lung cancer
About 2 people
could get lung cancer
About 1 people
could get lung cancer
Less than 1 person
could get lung
The risk of cancer from
radon exposure compares to. . .
4 The risk of being killed
in a violent crime
4 10 times the risk of
dying in an airplane crash
4 The risk of drowning
4 The risk of dying
in a home fire
(Average indoor radon level)
(Average outdoor radon level)
WHAT TO DO:
Fix your home
Fix your home
Fix your home
Fix your home
Consider fixing
between 2 and 4 pd/L
(Reducing
radon levels
below
2pCi/Lis
difficult)
Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher. Also, based on information from the National Academy of Sciences 1998
report, The Health Effects of Exposure to Radon, your radon risk may be higher than shown, even if you have never smoked.
12
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JUFFE* Scientists
aren't sure radon really
is a problem.
WIM* Radon testing is
difficult, time
consuming and
expensive.
MYTH" Radon test kits
are not reliable and are
difficult to find.
fur help m
WJM: Homes with
radon problems
can't be fixed.
fJM: Radon only affects
certain kinds of homes.
em affect
?y &«? Sa?*^f #$>£?$*#&<•«#£
fejits, fy/i
13
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JffflW; Radon is only a
problem in certain parts of
the country.
MYTH; A neighbor's
test result is a good
indication of whether your
home has
a problem.
Mf!W; Everyone
should test their water for
radon.
:± It's difficult to sell
homes where radon
problems have
been discovered.
MYTH; I've lived in my
home lor so long, it
doesn't make sense to
take action now.
Yen mill rfslr of /on
FE* Short-term tests
can't be used for
making a decision
about whether to fix
your home.
F>. M test
*
*lf the radon test is part of a real estate transaction, the result of two short-term
tests can be used in deciding whether to mitigate. For more information, see EPA's
Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon.
14
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http://www. epa. go v/iaq/radon/
EPA's main radon page. Includes links
to publications, hotlines, private
proficiency programs and more.
http://www. epa.go v/iaq/regionia.html
Check the above website fora listing
of your EPA regional office.
(787-7238)
Operated by the National Safety Council
in partnership with EPA. Order radon
test kits by phone.
Operated by the National Safety Council
in partnership with EPA. For live help
with your radon questions.
1-888-725-8312
Spanish language hotline, operated by
the National Alliance lor Hispanic Health
In partnership with EPA. For general
help with radon, testing, and mitigation
questions, and free test kits.
1-888-438-4318
Indoor Air Quality Information
Clearinghouse, operated by an EPA
contractor. For general radon and
indoor air quality information and
copies of EPA publications.
1-888-428-4731
Sale Drinking Water Hotline, privately
operated under contract to EPA. For
general information on drinking water,
radon in water, testing and treament,
and radon drinking water standards.
Radon Fix-It Hotline, privately operated
by the Consumer Federation of America
Foundation (CFAF) in partnership with
EPA. For general information on how to
mitigate your home.
Sample list of some of the
publications available through the
above sources:
Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon
Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction
Radon Guide for Tenants
Application of Radon Reduction Techniques for
Detached Houses
EPA Map of Radon Zones and Fact Sheet
Buying a New Home? How to Protect Your Family
From Radon
Building a New Home, Have You Considered
Radon?
Building Radon Out: A Step-By-Step Guide on How
To Build Radon-Resistant Homes
'U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1995-620-596
15
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National Academy of Sciences
Report on Radon
In February 1998, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
released its report on radon and lung cancer, The Health Effects
of Exposure to Indoor Radon (the BEIRVI report). The NAS is an
independent, non-governmental, scientific organization. The
NAS estimates that radon causes between 15,000 and 22,000
lung cancer deaths each year in the United States and that
12 percent of all lung cancer deaths are linked to radon. The
BEIRVI Committee (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation)
concluded that after smoking, radon is the second leading
cause of death due to lung cancer in the United States.
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."
Call your state radon office for additional help with any of your radon questions. Up-to-date information on how to contact your state radon office is also available
on EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/contacts.html, or call EPA's toll free Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse (IAQ INFO) at (800) 438-4318 to obtain
the current listing.
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Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
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Louisiana
Maine
Maryland (EPA Region 3)
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
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Local-Toll
334-206-5391
907-474-7201
602-255-4845
501-661-2301
916-324-2208
303-692-3090
860-509-7367
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Local-Toll
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D-16-D36ZI2-9
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
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