BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – The National Cancer Institute has listed radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
Most of Southwest Virginia is at risk as it is a colorless, odorless gas that threatens the air quality in indoor spaces and can cause long-term health threats.
“We know enough about the risks and have affordable ways to test and mitigate radon that our efforts should be focused on raising awareness and preventing exposure,” said Philip Agee, an assistant professor of building construction at Virginia Tech.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 15,000 to 20,000 U.S. deaths are related to radon. Philip Agee is urging Virginians to test their homes to be proactive.
(Photo Credit: Virginia Tech)
“Consumers can buy short-term tests at hardware stores for about $15,” he said. “Long-term internet-enabled monitoring solutions run between $100 to $200.”
Radon can be found in soil and enters the home through cracks in the building’s foundations, basements, crawlspaces, and other indoor spaces that air can leak out.
It can lower the air pressure indoors and allows high-pressure gas from the soil to infiltrate the space.
“Homebuyers can have radon tests completed with the home inspection process for a fee,” he said, estimating a cost of about $100 to $200 for a professional service. He also said the Virginia Department of Health provides a free radon testing kit on a first-come, first-served basis from October to April and suggested new home buyers or those completing a home renovation take precautions. “It’s still possible to have unsafe concentrations of radon even in zones with lower risks.”
Philip Agee also found that weather can also impact radon.
“Radon concentrations will increase in homes following heavy rainfall, and then concentrations decrease over 24 to 48 hours after the rain stops,” Agee said. He attributes this to more moisture in the soil, preventing radon from escaping to ambient conditions and instead finding a “path of least resistance” into buildings.
“We spend approximately 90 percent of our lives inside the built environment, so your indoor environment impacts your long-term health. If testing shows radon above acceptable levels, radon mitigation systems are used to reduce the risk of radon entering the home,” he said.