Questions and Answers About Granite and Radon
There have been several reports on TV and in newspapers about radon and granite countertops and the possible dangers associated with it. You may have heard snippets of information but haven't gotten a lot of details. If you have granite in your home or are thinking about adding it, such reports may rightly worry you. Below are some basic questions you may have about radon, granite, and how it all affects you.
What is radon?
A good question. While you may have heard the word and some reports about it, you may not necessarily know what it is or how it may affect you or your family. Simply, radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It's primarily found in the soil and can often be found in low concentrations in basements of the Midwest and East.
Is radon found in granite countertops?
Apparently low concentrations of radon gas are emitted by granite. This may make sense in view of the fact that radon does occur in the earth. However, the granite used in the United States (including countertops) emits very low concentrations of the gas. Such low levels of environmental radiation are deemed safe by the government.
Is radon dangerous?
Technically radiation in any form can be harmful if the concentration levels and exposure time are high enough. Note it has more to do with the concentration, exposure levels, and duration of exposure than the radiation itself. We're all exposed to radiation in some form on a regular basis. Every time we step into sunlight, for example, or turn on the TV. Radiation exists throughout our environment so it's more the quantity of radiation and time we're exposed to it that counts.
Keep in mind too that radon gas does not work like carbon monoxide. It will not build up suddenly in the middle of the night undetected. Even in a basement, if it's properly ventilated, the levels of radiation should not be a problem.
Will radon soak into my food?
Radon cannot absorb into food in its natural state. Radiation has to first be dissolved into water before it can be absorbed. If food is left on the countertop, it can't absorb any radon being emitted.
Is my granite countertop safe?
Modern studies show that the concentration levels of radon emitting from granite are not enough to cause worry about health risks. As mentioned above, low concentrations of radiation are common in many natural products like soil and even foods such as potatoes and bananas. The amount of radon emitted should not be enough for serious concern. If, however, you do feel you need to be concerned about the concentration of radon in your home, contact your local area radon organization for help.
This overview of what radon gas is, where you find it, and what it can and cannot do will hopefully provide you with some much-needed answers. While radiation is nothing to take lightly, studies show that there should be no need to fear for your family?s health if you already have granite countertops or plan to install them in the near future.
The Facts About Radon Testing
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and the Surgeon-General of the United States are in agreement: homeowners should have their homes inspected for the presence of radon. Radon is considered a serious risk to health by international authorities as well. The World Health Organization, in conjunction with the EPA, has instituted the International Radon Project in order to raise awareness and promote prevention of radon-related illnesses in countries around the globe. Knowing the facts about radon can help you protect yourself and your family from this dangerous gas.What is radon?Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Colorless, tasteless and odorless, radon is formed by the breakdown of uranium. It can form in water, rock, or soil. Prolonged exposure to radon gas has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers.How does radon enter my home?Since radon is a byproduct of the natural decomposition of uranium, it exists in the soil. If your house is located over or near a deposit of uranium, radon gas will work its way up through the soil and through any cracks or flaws in the foundation. Depending on your home?s design, radon gas can also seep in through spaces inside walls or around pipes, and through open drains on the basement level.What health problems can radon cause?Radon has been linked to a significantly increased risk of lung cancer and is blamed for 20,000 deaths yearly in the United States. Because radon is a radioactive particle-bearing gas, it is breathed directly into the lungs; once there, the particles continue to break down, depositing carcinogenic energy directly onto the surface of the lungs.How can I determine if dangerous levels of radon are present in my home?A number of do-it-yourself kits are available at home improvement stores. If you opt for this type of test, it?s essential that you follow the instructions exactly; your results will not be accurate if the test is not done exactly as indicated by the packaging. You may also wish to hire a professional radon testing company to perform the test. Make sure any company you choose is certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program to ensure the accuracy of your results. The National Environmental Health Association administers these certifications, which ensure that the radon tester meets the same standards required by the EPA for its radon testing programs.How much does radon testing cost?Prices range from $10 for some home testing kits to over $150 for professional radon testing companies.If radon is present, what is my next step?Generally, radon remediation is not something you can do yourself. Professional remediation companies offer a variety of methods to radon-proof your home, and their work is usually guaranteed. One of the most popular methods for remedying serious radon infiltration is to install a depressurization system beneath your foundation, preventing radon from seeping upwards by removing the pressure differential and venting the radon safely outside your home.How much will radon remediation cost?Depending on the levels of radon inside your home, the extent of remediation work necessary, and the number of contractors in your area, prices can range anywhere from $150 for minor sealing and caulking jobs to $800 or more for a basic depressurization system. Depressurization systems can vary widely in price depending on the size and location of your home, in some cases costing over $3000 for a professional installation.How long will it take?Radon remediation is a fairly quick process and usually takes only one or two days to complete.Radon can present serious health risks to you and your family. Fortunately, radon testing and remediation services are available to ensure that your home is free from this dangerous substance. Testing your home for radon is quick and relatively inexpensive, and can protect your health and peace of mind for years to come.
Using Radon Detectors to Find Out About the Extent of the Radon Exposure
Inhaling radon is more than just risky, this gas is held responsible for thousands of cases of lung cancer signaled every year all over the globe. Unfortunately, there are almost no reliable ways to predict the presence or the concentration of radon in a certain area, and not even geological studies can be of any help here. This is why, the only way to prevent poisoning is by means of special radon detectors; the use of such devices is an absolute must particularly since two house located next to one another may have completely different radon exposure levels. Measurements to detect the presence of the gas are mainly performed in the basement, and here is the place where radon detectors are generally installed.
There are several types of radon detectors used to track the gas level in an enclosed space. The most commonly used are the alpha-track devices that rely on the use of small sheets of polycarbonate plastic material. The moment the alpha particles come into direct contact with these plastic sheets, they create some tiny pockmarks that are afterwards identified and analyzed in labs. Depending on the counting of the pockmarks, the level of radon concentration will be higher or lower.
Radon detectors are designed either for long or for short-term use; the latter for instance may require a period varying between two and ninety days for an accurate data collection. The important thing to mention here is that the long-term radon detectors are more reliable than the others, since they provide an average value of the radon level. Why does the average value matter so much? Well, radon gas concentration varies from one day to the other, and there is a whole range of environmental factors that influence such alternations; cold vs. hot weather, air circulation in the house and moisture are only a few factors to be mentioned here.
Radon detectors may also help one find out about the extent of the radon exposure threat starting from the number of hours the house is inhabited per day. Windows opening and closing are equally important here since they are both connected to the time you spend at home. Besides the use of radon detectors, simple measures should be taken to ensure the safety of the family members; thus, ventilation systems installed in the basement, the sealing of holes, cracks and even piping joints, the pressurization of the house by means of fans, they are all ways to maintain a radon-free environment.
Can Anybody Tell Me More About Radon Gas In Your House?
I want to check if I have radon gas in my house, but I want to use those kits you buy in Home Depot etc. Do you know if they are good?
