I Live In Texas - Can Radon Be A Danger Here?
Yes it can, even in the Dallas - Ft. Worth - North Texas Area. Alpha Energy Laboratories who specializes in Radon testing nationwide sent out several thousand kits at cost to see what percentage of homes had elevated radon levels. A full 10 % came back with levels above 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) and there was even one which measured over 100 pCi/L. So radon is not a problem just in the North or in homes with basements. It can be a problem anywhere and it varies home to home. Finding out for yourself is relatively inexpensive way to prevent possible health issues down the road.
Q. How Long Does A Radon Test Take?
A. Many people who need a Radon test are prospective home buyers and there is
often a narrow window of time to close on the property during which inspectors
can be called out. Short term radon kits normally require 48 hours to develop,
and Alpha Energy can rush reports within 24 hours. (with an extra fee being
charged) Otherwise, it takes three days. So the minimum time required is three
days with a rush fee, and five days without, plus the lab is closed on weekends.
ScanTech now offers a Radon Pre-Screening test which can tell you the same
day whether a short term kit should be employed. We utilize a high sensitivity
digital Geiger counter to measure background radiation levels and an Air Ion Counter to pick up traces of radioactive decay.
Here are some good facts on Radon risk taken from the EPA's website.
Here is a link to the EPA website from which the information on this page
was derived.
Q. What Is the Average Level of Radon in the Home?
A. Based on a national residential radon survey completed in 1991, the average
indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L in the United States. The average outdoor
level is about 0.4 pCi/L.
Q. Can you test the Radon level in soil before hand?
A. Yes, and normally you need special radon kits that are designed for this purpose and they need to be placed inside of a hooded enclosure. Unfortunately, studies have shown that there is little correlation between radon readings obtained in this fashion and the actual readings in a home built on the site. This is due to multiple variables in how the structure is built, construction materials and home design.
Q. Can there be Radon present in water?
A. Yes, radon gas may enter the home through contaminated well water and it may be released into the air when bathing or doing dishes. This is primarily a concern if you get your water from underground sources such as a natural spring. Drinking the water directly however, is thought to be less risky than radon found in the air.
Radon
Radon is a gaseous radioactive element having the symbol Rn, the atomic number 86, an atomic weight of 222, a melting point of -71ºC, a boiling point of -62ºC, and (depending on the source, there are between 20 and 25 isotopes of radon - 20 cited in the chemical summary, 25 listed in the table of isotopes); it is an extremely toxic, colorless gas; it can be condensed to a transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid; it is derived from the radioactive decay of radium and is used in cancer treatment, as a tracer in leak detection, and in radiography. (From the word radium, the substance from which it is derived.) Sources: Condensed Chemical Dictionary, and Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 69th ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1988.
