The Shadow
BLACKSBURG, Va. (VR) – The National Cancer Institute lists radon as the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
Much of Southwest Virginia is at high risk for this colorless, odorless gas, which threatens indoor air quality and poses 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.
Citing the National Institutes of Health estimate that 15,000 to 22,000 deaths in the United States each year are radon-related, Agee urged Virginias who have never had their home tested to be proactive.
“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 is found in soil and enters homes via cracks in building foundations, basements, crawlspaces, and other indoor places where air leaks out. This lowers the air pressure indoors and allows the higher-pressure gas from the soil to infiltrate.
The Environmental Protection Agency maintains a map of radon risks for each county/city in the U.S. Unlike other states in the highest risk zones, Virginia does not require radon tests during real estate transactions.
“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.”
Surprisingly, Agee’s research has found that weather can have an impact too.
“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.
