Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is constantly released into the atmosphere due to the breakdown of uranium in rocks, soil, and water. Though highly toxic, radon quickly diffuses in the atmosphere to concentration levels that are not harmful to humans. However, when radon makes its way into homes and other buildings, it can accumulate to dangerous levels.
In a recent interview with Epoch Times, Insoo Park, Founder and CEO of Ecosense, warned homeowners that elevated radon levels are common across the US. “One in 15 homes in the US is at the radon danger level,” Park said. “This could have a serious impact on anyone living there, especially small children.”
Park launched Ecosense to help consumers lead a safe and healthy lifestyle free from the life-threatening dangers of radon gas. The company quickly became a global trusted provider of residential and commercial radon detection and monitoring solutions that are easy to use, accurate, and fast. Ecosense’s smart real-time radon monitors use a detection technology that delivers results in minutes, quickly alerting users to the presence of the dangerous gas.
“Exposure to high levels of radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, resulting in an estimated 21,000 deaths in the US annually, including about 2,900 among people who have never smoked,” Park reports. “Tragically, each of those 21,000 deaths — and many more worldwide — could have been prevented by using radon-resistant construction techniques and real-time continuous radon monitors to make sure they worked.”
Radon detection for healthy living
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies 4 pCi/L as the threshold at which radon gas becomes dangerous. The World Health Organization, however, recommends a slightly lower level of 2.7 pCi/L, at which point homeowners should take action.
While passive radon detection devices that use charcoal to capture air samples can provide a reading of radon levels within a structure, these devices typically capture a one-time reading. However, radon levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and across seasons, meaning these short-term tests may miss significant variations. As a result, they may not offer a completely accurate picture of the radon threat in a home or other building.
“Radon monitors using modern detection technology provide more accurate readings and faster turnaround time than passive detectors,” Park explains. “By utilizing pulsed ionization chambers, modern digital monitors can provide accurate real-time readings in one-hour increments throughout the deployment period without the need for lab analysis. They also provide data in a format that homeowners can easily interpret, ensuring that warning signs aren’t overlooked or misinterpreted.”
Radon monitors, which provide continuous readings throughout the year, also account for seasonal variations. Weather patterns and changes in external temperatures can affect radon levels that accumulate in a home. If a passive reading is taken during warmer seasons, when windows are open and a structure is experiencing more airflow, it can suggest radon levels are lower than they actually are during colder seasons, when airflow is reduced and the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is greater, leading to higher indoor accumulation.
Radon-resistant construction needs to be verified
Radon mitigation measures can be taken when radon monitors reveal high concentrations in existing construction. However, the intention of radon-resistant construction techniques is to create a passive control system that will act as a barrier to radon entry. While this passive approach may or may not be successful, it can easily be made effective by installing an in-line centrifugal fan.
The first step in radon-resistant construction is creating an “air flow layer” beneath the structure’s foundation, which involves putting a 4-inch layer of coarse gravel below the foundation to facilitate radon and other gases to move freely underneath the building. To optimize the effect of the air flow layer, builders are encouraged to cover it with plastic sheeting or another vapor retarder before pouring the cement that will make up the building’s slab.
Radon that gathers in the air flow layer will hopefully be drawn to the outside through a vent pipe inserted through the slab, which passes through the house and is vented through the roof. If the passive draw isn’t strong enough, it’s easily converted to an active system by adding a fan to the pipe that will suck the soil gas from under the house and exhaust it to the atmosphere. This is called Active Soil Depressurization.
Sealing is the other key step in radon-resistant construction. Since radon often enters structures through cracks in the floor and walls of foundations, sealing cracks not only closes off the accessible radon entry points but also enhances the likelihood of an effective passive system.
The most important thing to remember when purchasing a home with radon-resistant construction is to verify that the measures are effective. Constant monitoring for elevated levels of radon gas remains critical. As new construction settles, new cracks can appear. Severe storms or earthquakes can also compromise structures and the venting systems designed to keep radon on the outside. With ongoing radon monitoring, those changes can be rapidly detected and addressed.
“While radon exposure poses a serious risk of lung cancer, it’s a risk that can be easily addressed,” Park says. “By leveraging radon-resistant construction techniques and using continuous radon monitoring devices to ensure the techniques have been effective, every structure can keep its occupants safe from the deadly effects of radon gas.”
