Radon Gas In Granite Homes

Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts.

Radon gas in granite homes. In the united states radon gas in soils is the principal source of elevated radon levels in homes. The epa says that approximately one of every 15 homes throughout the country whether new or old has elevated radon levels. Radon gas is created when certain rocks begin to decompose and erode. These stones are formed together using concrete or other materials.

Ok so the risk from granite is minuscule but how common is radon in u s. In a small number of homes the building materials e g granite and certain concrete products can give off radon although building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves. It starts out as uranium a heavy metal found in the ground and most rocks on the planet. If your home has a radon level of 4 picocuries per liter pci l of air or more you should take steps to fix your home and reduce the radon level.

The reports were about granite countertops that contain radium which can emit radon a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. When uranium decays it turns into. Any of these sources can release the deadly gas into your home where it is trapped and can build to dangerous levels. Some granite countertops have been found to give off trace amounts of radon and reporters cited a few kitchens with radon levels as high as 25 times the epa s safety limit of 4 picocuries per liter of.

Radon gas is inert colorless and odorless. The radon source you should be most wary of is the soil beneath your home. While natural rocks such as granite may emit radiation and radon gas the levels attributable to such sources are not typically high. Causes of radon in your home.

One such stone that has trace amounts of uranium is granite. Most radon exposure occurs inside homes schools and workplaces. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon is a radioactive gas you can t see feel taste or smell.

Radon that originates in the soil is the main cause of radon problems the epa says. Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs which can lead to cancer radon is responsible for about 21 000 lung cancer deaths each year in the united states though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to. Outdoors radon disperses rapidly and generally is not a health issue. This is where we get most of our radon exposure.

Because of the way we heat and ventilate our homes some radon gets indoors through the floor.