Life-Saving Radon Tests Are Simple, Inexpensive

By Larissa Lytwyn

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) urges Connecticut residents to test their homes for radon, a naturally occurring, colorless and odorless gas that, at elevated levels, can increase one’s risk of developing lung cancer.

“Radon levels can be high in one home and low in the house next door to it,” warned Newtown Health District Director Donna McCarthy Culbert. “Levels can vary quite a bit.”

It is estimated that eight million American homes have elevated radon levels.

Public health officials have found that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind only cigarette smoking. Cigarette smokers who have radon in their home are at an even greater risk of developing lung cancer. According to the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 US residents die each year from radon-induced lung cancer.

What Is Radon?

Radon is formed by the natural breakdown of radium, which is a radioactive byproduct of decaying uranium. Radon can be found in soil, rock, water, and, of course, air. As radon decays into radioactive particles and is inhaled into the lungs, energy is released that can damage sensitive lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.

Radon can enter the home through small cracks and other openings in a home’s basement or foundation, soil tracked into a front hallway or even an open first floor window set low to the ground.

Health risks increase proportionately to the length of time one is exposed to radon or the higher the radon level is in one’s home.

Ms Culbert said she did not know how many Newtown homes have elevated radon levels because there is no state or federal regulated standard for testing, only advisory guidelines.

“We estimate that approximately one out of every five homes in Connecticut have high radon levels,” said state DPH Commissioner J. Robert Galvin, MD, MPH. “Most of Connecticut is located in a zone where there is a high to moderate potential for having a high radon result in the air or water. That is why it is so important for people to test for radon in their home.”

The amount of radon in the air is measured in “picocuries per liter of air,” or pCi/L. The average indoor level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L; the average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L.

The EPA recommends that action be taken to mitigate radon levels if rates meet or exceed 4 pCi/L.

Radon levels tend to increase inside the home during the wintertime heating season, when homes are closed.

Radon Testing

Short-term and long-term tests measure radon levels in picocuries per liter of air. Testing is simple, includes detailed, easy-to-follow instructions, and is inexpensive. Detection kits can be purchased through the American Lung Association for $12. They can also be purchased through some retail outlets and hardware stores for $18 to $26.

Homeowners are recommended to test “the lowest livable area” in their home, typically the basement or a frequently occupied first-floor room. Do not use the kitchen or the bathroom. The device must be placed where it will not be disturbed, approximately three feet above ground level. It also must be kept at least three feet from doors, windows, and vents.

Homeowners can use more than one kit and test more than one room.

Short-term kits measure radon levels for two to 90 days while long-term kits can be used for test periods of 91 days to a full calendar year of 365 days.

Most experts recommend that first-time test users use a short-term two- to seven-day test.

When conducting a short-term test, closed house conditions must be maintained for at least 12 hours. This means that all windows and doors to the outside should be kept closed (with the exception of people leaving or entering). Any exhaust fans or heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that bring in outside air should be turned off. (The only exception is if the HVAC systems recycle air within a home or if the exhaust fans are part of a radon reduction system or is used for short periods, as in the case of a kitchen or bathroom fan.)

Short-term tests should not be conducted in the rain, snow, or during periods of high winds. Weather conditions can affect the level of radon in a home and skew test results.

Long-term tests are recommended as a useful follow-up, maintenance tool.

What To Do If High Radon Levels Are Detected

If a radon test produces results at 4 pCi/L or higher, homes can be fixed for the same cost as many other common home repairs. Remediation costs generally range from $500 to $2,500, depending on how high the levels are and the location of where the levels are highest.

The typical cost is $1,200.

The EPA recommends that a homeowner select a state certified and/or qualified radon mitigation contractor specifically trained to fix radon problems. The state DPH website (www.dph.state.ct.us) provides a list of resources that can be used to contact local certified contractors.

Ensure that the contractor first examines your home thoroughly before providing an estimate. Most types of radon reduction systems can cause some loss of heated or air-conditioned air, which could increase a homeowner’s utility bills. The degree to which utility rates increase are dependent on the environment in which the homeowner lives, the type of reduction system they select, and the physical structure and condition of the home, among other factors.

For more information on radon testing and mitigation, visit the Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction through the EPA website, www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html.

To purchase a radon testing kit from the American Lung Association, send a check for $12 to The American Lung Association of Connecticut, 45 Ash Street, East Hartford CT 06108. A kit can also be purchased by calling 800-LUNG USA or by going online at www.alact.org.