Certified Ohio Radon Specialists
Radon Testing & Mitigation at Its Finest
Testing & Mitigation at Its Finest
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Radon is an invisible, colorless, and odorless radioactive gas produced beneath the Earth's crust, naturally present in the air around us. Uranium, found in the soil beneath our homes, undergoes radioactive decay over time, leading to the formation of various elements. Radon is a key element in this radioactive decay process. As radon breaks down, it emits radioactive alpha particles, which consist of two protons and two neutrons. These alpha particles are a form of radiation released during radon’s decay.
Radon is an odorless, colorless, and inert radioactive gas formed from the natural breakdown of uranium. While it exists in small amounts in all types of soil, leading to low levels in the outdoor air we breathe, the concern arises when radon becomes trapped indoors. So, why is radon testing important?
When radon enters buildings and becomes confined, prolonged exposure can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. Radon gas can infiltrate homes, workplaces, and schools through various entry points such as cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, and spaces where wires enter the building, allowing the gas to accumulate to dangerous levels.
Radon mitigation refers to the process of reducing the concentration of radon gas in areas where people live and work, particularly in buildings located in regions known to have high radon levels. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes, schools, and workplaces through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, and other entry points. If radon accumulates to dangerous levels inside these enclosed spaces, it can pose serious health risks, including an increased likelihood of developing lung cancer. Therefore, mitigating radon exposure is essential for ensuring indoor air quality and protecting public health.
One of the most effective methods of radon mitigation is the installation of a sub-slab depressurization system. This system involves the placement of pipes and a specialized fan beneath the foundation or concrete slab of a building.
In Central Ohio, there are significant natural deposits of uranium found in glacial materials and shale formations. As uranium breaks down through radioactive decay, it produces radium and radon gas.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established an action level of 4 picocuries of radon per liter of air (4 pCi/L). In Central Ohio, many counties have a high likelihood of elevated radon levels, with indoor radon levels often exceeding the EPA action threshold. According to a study cited by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 38% of Ohio’s 88 counties have average indoor radon levels above 4.0 pCi/L, with Licking County showing an average above 8.0 pCi/L. Several counties—including Carroll, Fairfield, Franklin, Harrison, Knox, Pickaway, and Ross—reported average indoor radon concentrations between 6 and 8 pCi/L.
Radon levels in the soil are determined by the soil's chemistry, which can vary greatly even between neighboring houses. Soil radon concentrations can range from a few hundred to several thousand pCi/L. The amount of radon entering a home from the soil is influenced by factors such as weather conditions, soil porosity, moisture levels, and the suction or air pressure within the house.
