James F. Andrews Enterprises Radon Facts

What are the Health Effects of Radon?

Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon causes up to 22,000 lung cancer deaths in the country each year. Radon can be inhaled into the lungs, where it undergoes radioactive decay. As it decays, radon releases tiny bursts of energy called alpha particles, which can harm sensitive lung tissue by damaging the DNA. This damaged DNA can lead to lung cancer.

Where is Radon Found?

The primary source of high levels of radon in homes is the surrounding soil. Hot spots include basements, first-floor rooms, and garages. Radon has been found in elevated levels in homes in every state, and it is estimated that as many as 9 out of 10 homes in central Pennsylvania have a radon problem. No area of the country is free from risk.

How Does Radon Get Into My House?

Radon gas enters the same way air and other soil gases enter the home; through cracks in the foundation floor or walls, hollow-block walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes, sump pumps and the porosity of building materials. The process begins when warm air in the home rises. When this happens in your home, it creates a vacuum in the lower areas of the house. Nature hates a vacuum, so something must rush in to fill it. In the case of your home, air seeps in from the soil around and under the house, and some air is sucked in through openings (cracks, doors, windows) on the lower levels.

How is Radon Measured?

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), a measurement of radioactivity. The EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that homes with radon levels 4 pCi/L, or greater, be fixed.

How do I Find Out if My House has Elevated Levels of Radon?

Radon test kits that meet US EPA and Pennsylvania DEP guidelines can be obtained by ordering through this website in the Online Store. Testing your home for radon is as simple as opening a package, placing a radon detector in a designated area, and, after the prescribed number of days, sealing the detector back in the package and mailing it back in the prepaid package that is included.

What Does it Cost to Lower Radon Levels?

The cost of making repairs to reduce radon depends on how your home was built and other factors. 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 cost for a contractor to lower radon levels in a home is about $1,250.

How Can I Fix My House if it has Elevated Levels of Radon?

A variety of methods can be used to reduce radon in homes. Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction. US EPA and PA DEP does not recommend the use of sealing and caulking alone to reduce radon because, by itself, sealing has not been shown to lower radon levels significantly or consistently. In most cases, US EPA and PA DEP strongly recommend installing pipes and fans to reduce radon. Radon reduction contractors may use other methods that may also work in your home, depending on its design and other factors.