WHAT IS RADON?
Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell, taste or color. Radon gas is produced by decaying uranium found in nearly all soil and rock, including the dirt and soil that is in your crawlspace, under your basement slab and surrounding your home’s foundation walls.
As a gas, Radon moves slowly through concrete and concrete block walls, more quickly through uncovered soil in crawlspaces, and becomes most harmful when accumulated in these enclosed spaces. Radon can be measured outdoors at average levels around 1.2 pCi/l and as high as 2,000 pCi/l indoors. When indoor levels are measured after Radon testing at 4 pCi/l the Environment Protection Agency recommends action be taken to reduce the volume of radon gas found in home.
Health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Surgeon General, the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, and others agree that we know enough now to recommend radon testing in Nashville and to encourage public action when levels are above 4 pCi/L.
The intent of this webpage is to inform you of the facts as they are presented by the Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control, the Surgeon General, the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association and those independent agencies that have performed numerous health studies. If anything, I encourage you to do your research regarding the matter and form your own opinion as to the potential risks of Radon gas presence in your home.
The average indoor Radon level for Davidson County, as determined by radon testing results by Air Chek, Inc is 5.5 pCi/l. [source]
Radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. “Radon gas causes more deaths than home fires, drowning’s, and airplane crashes combined.” [source]
WHY IS RADON A HAZARD?
Radon gas is unstable, sending radioactive products out into the air as it decays. Those radioactive products can attach themselves to dust in the air turning the dust into carcinogens. When those carcinogens are inhaled, becoming trapped in the sensitive lung tissue, they release radioactive particles that travel only a short distance with high energy, wounding the cells they come in contact with. When enough of these energized particles are released on cells, wounding them over and over again, the DNA chain can be penetrated and broken. These wounded cells with an altered DNA makeup continue to form new cells that are each replications of the ‘broken’ or mutated cell resulting in a cancerous growth.
The Surgeon General warns that Radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Breathing this radioactive gas over prolonged periods is a significant health risk to families all over the country. Magnolia Property Consultants, LLC provides Radon inspection and Radon Testing services to measure indoor levels of Radon in Nashville homes.
IS RADON ONLY A PROBLEM IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?
High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know for sure if your Nashville home’s Radon level is to schedule a Radon inspection.
WHAT IS THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH RADON?
Inhalation of Radon gas decay products increases the risk of getting lung cancer. Your chances of getting lung cancer from Radon gas depend on factors such as the home’s radon level, the amount of time you spend in your home and whether you are a smoker or have ever been a smoker.
Recent studies estimate that between 15,400 and 21,800 deaths per year are attributable to Radon gas. Radon causes lung cancer in smokers and non-smokers.
Read more here on a study by Dr. William Field on radon-related lung cancer in women.
HOW DO YOU TEST FOR RADON LEVELS?
Magnolia uses Alpha Spectrometry, world-class app-driven technology with enhanced reporting and analysis capability to deliver the most accurate and consistent radon measurements in the industry. All testing requires a minimum of 48 hours. Remember to schedule your home inspection ahead of schedule so that we can drop Radon testing equipment early with pick-up and results provided to you on the day of your home inspection!
ARE THERE WAYS OF LOWERING THE RADON LEVELS IN THE HOME?
If your Radon inspection uncovers that you have high Radon gas levels, there are ways to reduce those levels below 4pCi/l. It is better to correct the presence of high levels of Radon gas before placing your home on the market. Radon mitigation professionals specialize in the performance of systems that reduce Radon gas levels, customized to your specific home needs. Magnolia Property Consultants, LLC does not install the mitigation systems.
HOW IMPORTANT ARE POST-MITIGATION TESTS?
Very important! It is the only way to know if your system is working effectively. The Radon professional will leave instructions on how to prepare for and conduct this post-mitigation test.