Radon In The Home
How Radon Enters Your Home

Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above, then into your home through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where radon levels can build up. Any home may have radon problems. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon from soil is the main cause of elevated radon levels but sometimes radon in homes may enter through well water. And in a small number of cases, home building materials can even give off radon. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

Any home may have radon problems.

Radon gets in through: 1. Cracks in solid floors 2. Construction joints 3. Cracks in walls 4. Gaps in suspended floors 5. Gaps around service pipes 6. Cavities inside walls 7. The water supply

It has been estimated that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels of radon in homes have been found in every state. Contact your state radon office for general information about radon problems in your area. The EPA maintains a list of radon information contacts for each state on their web site.

While problems with radon in home may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only way to know for certain is to use a radon test kit.

	Radon Information
	How do I test for Radon? RadonZone Store What are the health risks associated with Radon? Radon Risk Primer How do I lower my Radon level? Radon Reduction How does Radon enter my home? Radon In The Home Can Radon exist in water? Radon In Water Buying or selling a house and need to check for Radon? Radon Real Estate Want to purchase Radon testing products? RadonZone Store

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