What is Radon
Radon is an odorless, tasteless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the soil. It is produced when uranium decays and works its way up through the soil into the atmosphere. Granite rock, common in Georgia, can contain significant amounts of uranium. Below, you’ll find EPA’s map of Radon zones in Georgia. The red zone has the highest potential of radon, Orange is moderate, and Yellow has the lowest potential of radon.
Why Do Radon Levels Rise?
Changes in weather, particularly extreme weather events, can change the pressure differences and therefore change how radon enters your home. Some weather events, like storms, typically cause radon levels in a home to rise. This lower pressure causes radon to “flow” from the soil to the air even faster than normal. Radon is a radioactive gas emitted naturally from the ground. However, when radon gets trapped indoors, after entering a home through joints in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings, it may concentrate at dangerous levels. Exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. Call us now to get your home inspected for radon!
Accepted Level of Radon
Radon causes more deaths each year in the U.S. than drunk drivers. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer in non¬smokers. Radon kills 22,000 people every year in the U.S.; 600 of those will be in Georgia. Anything above 4.0 pCi/L is considered dangerous and may cause health issues or even death.