Dedicated to my little Brother

Robert "Bob" Louis Sims

March 15th 1961 - January 13th 2003

Only 2 months after this picture was taken

Bob died of Lung Cancer at the age of 41

Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas produced by the decay of Uranium and Radium. Unlike some indoor pollutants, it cannot be detected by our senses. This naturally occurring, radioactive gas is produced in most soil or rock found throughout the United States. As a result, all houses have some Radon, as does the outdoor air. Radon is an inert gas, meaning that it is chemically inactive. Since it is not chemically bound or attached to other materials, radon can move easily through any material that has pores or void spaces through which gases can move. Void spaces and pores are found in the soil beneath any home. Radon 222 is the only gas produced by uranium decay

There are cracks in the foundation. Nothing structural. Nothing that’s going to threaten the stability of the home, but they’re there. Nooks, crannies and holes through which seeps an invisible threat. Colorless, odorless and undetectable by your average human, it is none the less the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon gas - even the name sounds ominous, evoking images of radiation and nuclear devastation is created when uranium in the soil decays. The gas then seeps through any access point into a home. Common entry points are cracks in the foundation, poorly sealed pipes, drainage or any other loose point. Once in the home, the gas can collect in certain areas especially basements and other low-lying, closed areas and build up over time to dangerous levels. The Environmental Protection Agency of the US Government has set a threshold of 4 pico curies per liter as the action level. As humans are exposed to the gas over a period of years, it can have a significant and detrimental effect.

Health Risk

Radon is the Number 2 cause of Lung Cancer in the United States only behind smoking. Between 18,000 and 22,000 people every year are diagnosed with Lung Cancer due to Radon. Most are people that have never smoked. Many thousands also die each year due to contracting lung cancer from Radon

Radon is a know human carcinogen

In addition, radon has been identified as a serious public health problem by a number of US health organizations such as the Center for Disease Control, The American Lung Cancer Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Public Health Association. In 1988, The US Surgeon General issued the following national radon health advisory to the public:

"Indoor radon gas is a national health problem. Radon causes thousands of deaths each year. Millions of homes have elevated levels. Most homes should be tested for radon. When elevated levels are confirmed, the problem should be corrected."

How widespread is the problem? Radon has been found in homes in all 50 states. Certain areas are more susceptible than others (http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html), but no location is immune. Concentrations of radon-causing materials in the soil can be either natural or man-made. Homes built near historic mining operations may be at higher risk. The only way to tell for sure is to have a home tested. The EPA breaks down the locations into 3 zones, a large percentage of Metro Atlanta is in Zone 1 the highest level of the 3.

Testing for radon comes in two forms: active and passive. Active devises constantly measure the levels of radon in a portion of the home and display those results. Passive devices collect samples over a period of time and then are taken away and analyzed. Either method can help you determine your level of risk. Do-it-yourself kits are available from a number of outlets, which are normally passive devices. Over a period of days, the device is left in the lowest level of the home which is normally occupied. This eliminates crawl spaces under the house, but includes finished or unfinished basements. Then the results are analyzed by a professional. The other option is to engage a qualified professional to conduct the tests properly. A professionally trained and certified technician is the only accepted means of Radon test in a Real Estate transaction The EPA web site (http://www.epa.gov/radon/manufact.htm) provides information on finding an appropriate resources and testing devices.

If high concentrations of radon are found in your home, you have several options. Since radon is only a problem when it is concentrated in high volume, improving the ventilation in an area is often sufficient to solve the problem. In other cases, it may be necessary to limit the amount of radon getting into the home by sealing or otherwise obstructing the access points. Once again, a professional should be engaged to ensure that the radon is effectively blocked. Typical radon mitigation systems can cost between $800 and $2500, according to the EPA.

If you’re buying or selling a home, radon can be a significant issue. Buyers should be aware of the radon risk in their area and determine whether a radon test is desirable. When in doubt, the EPA always recommends testing. The cost of the test can be built into the house price. If test results already exist, make sure they are recent or that the home has not been significantly renovated since the test was performed. If in doubt, get a new test done. If youre selling a home, having a recent radon test is a great idea. By being proactive, you can assure potential buyers that there is no risk and avoid the issue from the start.

So whether you have an old home or a new one, live in an old mining town or in the middle of this Great City of Atlanta, radon is a reality. But it is a reality that we can live with. Proper testing and mitigation, can eliminate radon as a health threat.

Do not allow lung cancer into your family needlessly.

I recommend that every home be tested, period.

For more information, visit any of the following web site on radon:

EPA RADON Information

EPA's Citizen Guide

Surgeon General's 1 minute video

National Cancer Institute on Radon