What Radon Is
Radon is an odorless, colorless, chemically unreactive, inert gas. It is the densest gas known. The gas and its highly radioactive metallic daughter products emit alpha and beta particles and gamma rays. In homes and other buildings, in some areas of the world, radon produced by the radioactive decay of uranium-238 present in soil and rock can reach levels regarded as dangerous. (Chemical Symbol/Element Number: Rn222). Elevated levels have been found in all 50 states in the U.S. Radon can be found in any home whether it is new, old, slab, crawlspace, or basement. It typically rises up through the ground and enters into your home through cracks in the foundation, around plumbing openings, floor drains, and through cinder block walls. Once inside, its concentration can build up to dangerous levels. Air pressure in a structure is usually lower than pressure in the soil under and around a structures foundation. Because of this difference in pressure a structure may act like a vacuum drawing radon in through small openings in the foundation.
Radon is a radioactive element. This means that radon is unstable and will decay into other elements over time. These elements are called decay products. When a radioactive element decays, it emits radiation. It is the radiation given off by radon and its decay products that is the health risk concern. The decay products of radon are alpha, beta, and gamma. These decay products are not gases but are solids that form in the air whenever radon is present. These solids have an electric charge. Because of this charge, the decay product can become attracted to almost any object, including particles in the air such as dust. As you breathe it, it may become trapped in your lungs. Alpha particles are of the most concern. When lodged in the mucus membrane lining that coats the lung, this means that a radioactive material is directly on your lung tissue. The living cells of the lung now can be exposed directly to the radiation from the decay product. If you smoke and have a radon problem, your risk is 4-5 times greater!
The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, second only to smoking. The U.S. EPA has established an "action level" for indoor radon. It is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air). If your home has a radon level of 4pCi/L or greater fix the home. The average indoor radon level is estimated to be 1.3 pCi/L, 0.4 pCi/L is normally found in the outside air. Remember the ONLY way to know if you have a problem is to test. It is recommended that you hire a someone that is certified to conduct radon testing and test interpretation in accordance with EPA testing protocols.