Jonjalyn Baskin

Walden University

PUBH 6165-7

Spring 2009

Radon: Is Your Home Putting Your Health at Risk?

Educational Goals

Increase knowledge of the hazards of radon among Loudoun County residents in Northern Virginia

Increase the number of homes with radon detectors in Loudoun County

Increase the number of homes tested for radon in Loudoun County

What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, tasteless, odorless and radioactive gas produced from the decay of uranium in soil, rock and water (Environmental Protection Agency, 2009).

Soil Rock Water

Health Risk

As radon decay it gives off radioactive particles. These particles can damage the cells that line the lungs (National Cancer Institute, 2004).

Long-term exposure and the inhalation of high levels of radon can increase the risk of developing lung cancer (NCI, 2004).

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States (EPA, 2009).

Health Risk

Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers (EPA, 2008).

Radon in Homes

The greatest risk of exposure is most likely to occur in the home, particularly in the basement and on the first floor (NCI, 2004).

Radon seeps up through the ground and diffuses into the air (NCI, 2004).

Radon can enter homes through cracks in floors, walls, or foundations, and accumulates indoors (EPA, 2009).

Radon can also enter the home through water providing it is present in well water and building materials such as granite and some concrete products (EPA, 2008).

Radon in Homes

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States have elevated radon levels (EPA, 2009).

The quantity of radon is measured in “picocuries per liter of air” or “pCi/L” (EPA, 2009).

The national average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L (Loudoun County Radon Information, n.d.).

The average indoor radon level in Loudoun County, is 4.7 pCi/L (LCRI, n.d.).

Radon Levels for Loudoun County Homes

The United States Surgeon General Health Advisory

The United States Surgeon General issued a Health Advisory warning Americans about the health risk from exposure to radon in indoor air. He urged Americans to test their homes to find out how much radon they are exposed to. He stressed the need to mitigate the problem immediately should the radon level reach 4 pCi/L (EPA, 2008).

National Safety Council

The National Safety Council offers short-term and long-term radon test kits that can be purchased over the phone by

calling 1-800-557-2366.

$15 short-term radon detection coupon

$25 long-term radon detection coupon

www.downloads.nsc.org/pdf/Coupon2008.pdf

Short-term Testing

Short-term tests remain in the home for two to 90 days. The tests commonly used for short-term testing include:

Charcoal canisters Alpha track Electret ion chamber Continuous monitors Charcoal liquid scintillation

Long-term Testing

Long-term testing remain in the home for more than 90 days. The tests commonly used for long-term testing include:

Alpha track Electret detectors

Recommendations

EPA and CDC recommend taking actions to reduce radon in homes when levels reach 4 pCi/L (EPA, 2009).

EPA also recommend taking actions to reduce exposure when levels are between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L (EPA, 2009).

EPA recommends hiring a qualified radon mitigation contractor to fix your home because reducing radon levels requires technical knowledge and special skills (EPA, 2009).

Radon Reduction Methods

Sealing cracks and openings in the foundation helps to limit the flow of radon into the homes (EPA, 2008).

House/room pressurization creates pressure at the lowest level in the home to prevent radon from entering the rest of the home (EPA, 2008).

Heat recovery ventilator increase ventilation which helps reduce the radon levels in the home (EPA, 2008).

Radon Reduction Methods continued

Natural ventilation temporarily reduce levels by opening windows, doors and vents (EPA, 2008).

Soil suction prevents radon from entering the home by using a pipe or pipes to drawing radon from below the house to the air above the house where it is quickly diluted (EPA, 2008).

Conclusion

Radon levels in Loudoun County homes exceed the national radon indoor level.

Residents of Loudoun County are encouraged to utilize radon detectors and test radon levels in their homes.

Some radon reduction systems and methods can reduce radon in the home by up to 99%.

Reducing radon exposure is especially important for smokers as they have a high risk of developing lung cancer.

Don’t hesitate to find out whether your home is putting you health at risk. Protect yourself and your love ones.

Purchase a radon detector and test kit today.

Virginia Indoor Radon Program

Jim deKrafft, Radon Coordinator

General number: (804) 864-8161 or 1 (800) 468-0138

Fax number: (804) 864-8165

Email: jim.dekrafft@vdh.virginia.gov

Secondary contact: Ryan Paris

Email: Ryan.Paris@vdh.virginia.gov

Radon Specialists in Loudoun County

National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Certified Radon Measurement Specialists

Company: National Academy of Building Sciences, Inc.

City: Purcellville

County: Loudoun

Inspectors: John L. Cooper and Faith O. Cooper

Phone: (540) 338-2922

National Radon Programs

National Environmental Health Association-National Radon Proficiency Program (NEHA-NRPP)

www.neha-nrpp.org/measurement_method_definitions.shtml

National Radon Safety Board

www.nrsb.org

National Radon Information line

1-800-SOS-RADON

1-800-767-7236

References

Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). A citizen’s guide to radon: The guide to protecting yourself and your family from radon. Retrieved April 2, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks/html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Radon facts. Retrieved April 4, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram

Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). Health risks: Exposure to radon causes lung cancer in non-smokers and smokers alike. Retrieved April 2, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

References continued

Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). Consumer’s guide to radon reduction. Retrieved April 3, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html#For%Further%20Information

Loudoun County Radon Information. www.county-radon.info/VA/Loudoun.html

National Cancer Institute. (2004). Radon and cancer: Questions and answers. Retrieved April 13, 2009 from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheets/Risk/radon