Is radon gas a problem in Idaho?

Is radon gas a problem in Idaho?

Long-term exposure to high radon levels can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. There are many areas throughout Idaho that have high levels of radon; about 2 out of 5 homes that have been tested in the state have levels above 4.0 pCi/L.

Is radon gas in homes common?

Radon is an odorless, colorless, and naturally occurring radioactive gas. It’s common: About 1 in every 15 homes has what’s considered an elevated radon level.

What houses usually have radon?

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well- sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.

Is there radon in Boise Idaho?

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Radon gas is odorless, colorless and it can be dangerous if it’s not taken care of. Two out of five homes in Idaho have high radon levels. In fact, the EPA says radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Troy Farmer and Todd Rich are radon removal experts.

How do you eliminate radon?

Active subslab suction — also called subslab depressurization — is the most common and usually the most reliable radon reduction method. One or more suction pipes are inserted through the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil underneath. They also may be inserted below the concrete slab from outside the home.

How do you know if you have radon in your home?

The only way you can tell that you might have radon in your house is looking for the entryways. Finding cracks in your floor or walls might mean radon has made its way into your home, but there’s still no way to know for sure.

Why do homes in Idaho have basements?

Basements are a common occurrence in Idaho homes. Idaho’s softer soil makes it easy to build down instead of up and it can be quite a benefit to homeowners when it comes to space, electricity conservation, and so forth.

What areas are high in radon?

High radon areas in the U.S. tend to be in the northern section of the country due to the types of soils found there. States with high concentrations of radon include Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Maine, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

What are facts about radon?

Radon Facts. Thus, radon is considered a significant contaminant to indoor air quality. There is a clear link between breathing high concentrations of radon and incidence of lung cancer. After smoking, radon is the 2nd most frequent cause of lung cancer with over 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the US alone.

Where is radon gas located?

Radon is an odorless, tasteless gas that occurs in nature. It can be found anywhere. On the periodic table, it is element Rn, and is found on the right edge, beside astatine. But, I doubt that’s what you really mean… The real question: where are dangerous radon levels found? The short answer is in buildings.

How do you lower radon levels in home?

Cover exposed earth with polyethylene plastic. If you have exposed earth in your basement, storage area, crawlspace, or another area of your home, you can significantly reduce radon levels by covering the soil. Use high-density polyethylene plastic to completely cover the exposed earth.