Radon Gases in Basements

Radon is an invisible and odorless radioactive gas and is continuously created by natural breakdown of metals in soils. Any home in any state may have a radon problem. The average person receives each year more radiation from radon than from all other source. Almost all risks come from breathing air with radon and its decayed products.

How Radon Gets into your Home

Air pressure inside homes (basements or crawl spaces) is slightly lower than in the ground creating a vacuum that draws in radon from several feet away into the basement through openings and pores in concrete. Warm air inside homes moves upward like inside a stack and this stack effect reduces air pressure in the basement. When the ground is soaked with rain, the bottled up radon gas in the ground moves to a warm opening such as a basement or crawlspace. It's important to know that the gases found in the basement are no different than the gases found in crawlspaces, it might just have a different radon level concentration. This stack effect will cause a radon gas inflow that will easily migrate in to the home.

Almost half of the water used in poured concrete mix is surplus and has to evaporate. Concrete cures and passes moisture to the surfaces creating a network of capillaries (pores). The pores allow a passageway for radon gases, water vapor, and liquid water to enter the basement.

Heavy radon gas accumulates in basements and on lower floors. According to the residential radon lung cancer study completed in Iowa, the 1st floor of a home receives 40% of its air from the basement level.

Effect of Radon Gases

Radon decaying products causes cancer. It is estimated that 12% of all lung cancers are caused by exposure to Radon gas. It is also estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 of the 158,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States are caused by exposure to Radon. Many years may pass before the effects of radon are detected.

Prevent Radon Gases

Minimize the entry of radon gas into your home by sealing cracks in the foundation and along the basement walls, floors, or molding. Cover all crawl spaces with a heavy polyethylene barrier and seal it to the foundation wall. Close sump pits and floor drains.