Radon Inside Homes is a Real Health Risk

Radon is a by-product of decomposing uranium in rocks and soils. It is a radioactive gas that is both odorless and colorless. The presence of uranium in the environment and the air that envelopes the earth means that radon is in every conceivable place. Outside our homes, radon does nothing to harm our health. It simply spreads thin and gradually vanishes into the air. Apart from this, what's heartening to know is that the radon we inhale and exhale outdoors are of the same amount, so it doesn't have any adverse effect on our health. But inside our homes, radon can be a real health risk.

What should concern us the most about radon is the rather high level of amount that it can get into within a particular area indoors. For instance, radon can pass through fissures in walls and floors, or through breaks around pipes that have remained unsealed. While here, radon goes through radioactive decomposition. This decomposing process produces radioactive particles known as "radon progeny." The moment you inhale these particles, they penetrate the lungs and may remain stuck to the bronchial tissues where radiation is emitted. The risk of developing lung cancer becomes highly possible as a consequence of this entire scenario. For smokers, the risk is doubly high.

It is believed that, in general, the home's basement is where the highest concentrations of radon are present. But how do we know if our homes have a high level of radon? Are there any guidelines for testing and measuring radon levels?

The guidelines on the average annual radon concentration in households may vary from country to country. In the United States, for example, it is set at anywhere between 150 and 220 becquerels per cubic meter of air. It is the same in Great Britain and in countries in the Scandinavia, particularly Sweden. But in Canada, the guideline is set at a much higher level of 800 becquerels per cubic meter of air. Because of Canada's rather high setting of the upper limit for radon exposure, it is suggested by environmentalists that corrective initiatives are taken by householders in countries mentioned here which have a lower-level setting. There are certain ways by which we can reduce the levels of radon in our homes. These are especially important when the guidelines' upper limit set for radon exposure is breached.

Levels of radon can alter from day to day, or even from hour to hour. It is for this reason that determining the average radon concentration is really important. And the only sure way of knowing what the level of radon inside your home is is to measure it. Tests usually last for about a week, although they may be conducted for up to a year. Experts suggest that tests should be done for a longer period of time for greater accuracy. Moreover, a long-term test is a better determiner of annual average radon levels because the varying occurrences in home air circulation and emission of radon are factored in it. Several testing devices are available for either a short-term or a long-term estimation. Charcoal canisters are suited for short-term tests. For long-term tests, consult an environmental specialist on what's best for your home. [Read the Original Article]