Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, causing an estimated 21,000 deaths in the United States annually. Unfortunately, Tennessee is a hotbed for radon.

1. Silent Killer in Your Home - Radon Gas
We continually strive for improvements in education and awareness of
environmental concerns that are detrimental to indoor air quality and
good health. We seek to determine real and lasting solutions that are
not only right for our clients and their families but also right for the
communities and neighborhoods in which we live. We seek to partner
and align with organizations that work to improve air quality issues in
our homes, schools, and workplaces.

2. Radon Gas – What is It?
 Natural
 Colorless
 Odorless
 By-product of Uranium
Causes and Cures

3. Radon is a naturally occurring gas
that enters buildings from the
surrounding soil, ground water or
building products.
URANIUM
RADIUM
It comes from the decay of
Uranium which breaks
down into Radium
and then to Radon gas.
Causes and Cures
RADON
GAS

4. Radon Gas – What is It?
 Natural
 Colorless
 Odorless
 By-product of Uranium
Causes and Cures

5. How was it Discovered?
 Mines
 Reading prong
What contributes to Radon in Homes?
 Location
 House type/Airtightness
 Pressure differential
Causes and Cures

6. What is the Concern?
 Radon exposure is reported to
be the second leading cause of
lung cancer, behind smoking.
 Smoking compounds the effects
of radon.
Causes and Cures

7. Causes and Cures
Where is
Radon
found?

8. Radon in Homes
 Internal negative pressure
 Sump pump pits
 Cracks in foundation walls
and floors
 Gaps between slabs and
walls
 Potable water
 Gaps around piping through
walls and floors
 Granite products (e.g.
countertops)
Causes and Cures

9. Peculiarities of Radon – levels will vary:
 Geographic location
 Type construction
 Type mechanical systems
 Time of day
 Weather conditions
 Time of year – seasonal changes
 Occupant lifestyle
 Other factors
Causes and Cures

10. 1.2
pCi/L
0.3
pCi/L
6.8
pCi/L 2.1
pCi/L
0.5
pCi/L
4.8
pCi/L 10.0
pCi/L 1.4
pCi/L
Causes and Cures
Level will vary House-to-House

11. Causes and Cures
Radon Mitigation Action Levels
 Radon is measured in picoCuries/Liter.
 Radon measurements below 4 pCi/L – Radon mitigation is generally
not required.
 Radon measurements of 4 pCi/L or higher – Radon mitigationto
lower annual radon exposure is recommended.
 Radon levels fluctuate with weather and atmospheric changes over
the course of a year. Long-term testing will give better indications of
the annual radon potential.
Radon Action Level = 4 pCi/L or higher

12. Causes and Cures
Radon Detection Devices
 Charcoal Canisters
 Electret Ion Chamber
 Charcoal Liquid Scintillation
 Continuous Monitors
 Alpha Track (long term)
 Radon in Water
Radon levels fluctuate with weather and atmospheric changes over the
course of a year. Long-term testing will give better indications of the
annual radon potential.

13. Short-term Screening
 Canisters, Electrets, Liquid Scintillation
- Readily Available
- Reasonable Turn-around
- Unsupervised
- Gives Snap-shot
- Affordable
Electret
Charcoal
Canister
Liq. Scintillation
Charcoal
Bag
Causes and Cures

14. Causes and Cures
Short-term Screening
 Continuous Monitors
- Interval Readouts
- Identifies Irregularities/Tampering
- Reasonable Cost
- Prompt Results

15. Causes and Cures
Long-term Testing Options
 Continuous Monitors
 Alpha Track (90 days)
 Electrets
 Not usually with Real

16. Testing Conditions
 Closed house conditions
 Lowest livable area
 Not in kitchen, bath or laundry room
 Not in crawlspace
 No fans operating
 Normal HVAC operation
 Normal entry / exit by occupants
Causes and Cures

17. Testing Conditions
 For short-term tests, all windows and external doors, on allfloors, should remain closed, except for normal entry andexit. For tests lasting less than 4 days, closed house conditionsmust be initiated 12 hours prior to starting the test. Testing methods will also depend on whether testing isassociated with a real estate transaction and localrequirements.
Causes and Cures

18. Lowest Lived In
FinishedBasement
Unfinished
Basement
Lowest Lived In
Finished
Basement
Unfinished
Basement
Not for Sale
Up to the homeowner and
their use of the home.
Real Estate
Transaction
Local requirements -
Based on the use of the
“space” in the home.
Also, AgreementbetweenHome Buyer and Seller.
Causes and Cures

19. Causes and Cures
Radon Mitigation Methods
 Ventilation
 Sub-slab Depressurization (Suction)
 Seal cracks and gaps in subgrade walls and floors
 Seal sump pump pits
 Run PVC pipe through floor slab to exterior
 Install inline continuously operating fan
 House Air Pressurization
– Install continuously operating fan to maintain positive
air pressure within subgrade areas or
house

20. Causes and Cures
Radon Mitigation – Typical Costs
Home Under Construction
Less than $500
Existing Home
$800 - $2200

21. Thank you!
Questions?