(Nexstar) – While some of the guidance from NBC’s “The Office” may not be practical, the sentiments expressed by Toby Flenderson could hold some weight.
Toby, played by Paul Lieberstein, was often tasked with performing radon tests at the office, which he referred to as the “silent killer.”
Surprisingly, he’s quite right about that.
“Radon is colorless, and it’s odorless,” Amanda Koch, the Radon Program Manager for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, explained. “There are no visible signs of radon being present in your home.”
Radon is generated naturally as radioactive metals like uranium, thorium, and radium break down in soil, rocks, and water. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, while we are continuously exposed to radon, it can seep into buildings through cracks. If radon accumulates indoors, it poses a risk.
Even though radon is common, there’s no established safe level for it, as noted by the CDC. The EPA suggests taking precautions if radon levels surpass 4.0 PCI/L in a home or building.
Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels can result in lung cancer. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the US, especially among non-smokers, with estimates indicating over 21,000 annual lung cancer fatalities associated with radon.
Treating lung cancer caused by radon can be quite complex, as symptoms may take years to surface. By that time, treatment options might be limited.
Should you follow Toby’s advice and scatter radon test kits around your entire home? Well, that may not be entirely necessary.
Several elements determine whether a home could have higher radon levels. The EPA has examined those factors, including geology, airflow, soil conditions, and the type of foundation of a home.
The regions identified by the EPA as having a greater risk for elevated radon levels are predominantly in the northern US, stretching from northern Washington through the Plains and Midwest, including the Great Smoky Mountains and parts of New England. Some western states also fall into the “moderate possibility” category. Conversely, areas like the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf Coast are generally deemed less likely to have high indoor radon levels.
The Radon Zone map created in 1993 doesn’t indicate specific radon levels in homes; instead, it helps local governments and organizations to focus risk reduction efforts.
Some states, including Wisconsin, share data on recent radon tests. But similar to the EPA map, these local resources do not signify radon levels in your home. Proximity to radon sources and the foundation type alone don’t determine your individual risk either.
“Radon movement through the ground varies greatly from one house to another,” Koch pointed out, noting that it’s entirely possible for neighbors to have differing radon levels in their homes.
“The only way to know is to test,” Koch emphasized.
Testing is relatively straightforward. Kits are available at major hardware stores, online, or through local health departments and are typically placed in the lowest room for several days before being sent for analysis. Results usually come back within a week or two.
Koch suggests testing every two years or after major renovations, like changes to doors, windows, or the foundation.
For accurate results, the building should be closed up for at least 12 hours before testing. That’s why health officials typically recommend testing during the winter or summer when windows and doors are less likely to be open.
If radon levels exceed 4.0 PCI/L, installing a mitigation system is advised.
This typically involves placing pipes within the foundation connected to a small fan that expels the gas out through the roof, costing about $1,000 to $2,000.
In homes with crawl spaces, using heavy-duty plastic sheeting to cover the ground may be effective, with the vent pipe and fan positioned beneath it to extract radon gas.
Though sealing cracks can help limit radon flow, the EPA does not recommend relying solely on sealants for radon reduction. They provide additional strategies for radon mitigation online.
While you don’t need to go as far as Toby did in “The Office,” it’s probably wise to take his concerns seriously.
“The only way to truly understand your home’s radon risk is to test,” Koch concluded.
