it's a gas that's created by the decay of Uranium in the soil.  Specifically, Uranium 238 decays in several stages over a very long time - each stage resulting in the creation of a new substance. In nearly the last of these stages we find Radon 222, the only form emitted as a gas.

The residential radon concern was started at a nuclear facility in 1984.  One of the workers at the facility kept triggering the radiation detector at the front gate... on the way into work.  After all the scanning equipment was checked and re-checked for error, officials took radiation readings at this man's house.  They found result numbers equivalent to tens of thousands of hospital x-rays, later linked to uranium in the soil beneath his house. 

The damaging effects of radon gas are difficult to measure.  Because it usually takes years for radon-related illness to develop, theories about its effect on health were originally derived from: 

• mortality statistics of A-bomb survivors,

• studies of persons treated with radiation therapy,

• health problems in uranium miners, and

• individuals who worked with radioactive paint

The EPA has recently concluded a long-term study of actual homes with measurable radon levels and confirmed a measurable health risk as originally theorized from the sources listed above.

Health Effects . . .

The results of the recent long-term EPA study (http://www.epa.gov/radon/)  has determined the damage to lung tissue is, in fact, worse than originally thought.

Researchers have concluded that lung tissue damage from radon gas is similar to that of cigarette smoking.  As an example, if a house tests at 4pCi/l  (picoCuries/liter), this is roughly equivalent in life-long health risk to moderate cigarette smoking.  This is an oversimplification, of course, but it provides a frame of reference.  And, if individuals in the house are already smokers, the effects are much more than the sum of the two factors.  Smokers could suffer four or five times greater adverse health effects than from just smoking.
 

Testing...

Testing for concentrations of radon gas can be done in several valid ways.  RW Huntley Home Inspection, LLC. uses "continuous radon monitors" and "charcoal canisters" approved by the National Radon Safety Board.  The continuous radon monitor by Sun Nuclear Corp. uses a photo-electric diode and microprocessor to test the air on an hourly basis and produces an overall average for the duration of the testing period.  Accurate results can be obtained in as little as 48 hours (or longer if desired).  Charcoal canisters are used to confirm the accuracy of the digital monitor readings.

Remediation...

If high levels of radon are found in the home, it's not the end of the world.  An effective  correction system usually can be installed in the home for around $1,000.  RW Huntley Home Inspection, LLC. does not  install such systems, nor do we provide any other correction services. This is to assure that testing and analytical services are not biased by the prospect of further profit.