Radon Detection
Many people in Los Angeles County are at risk for radon exposure. Here’s a look at how to protect yourself from this carcinogenic gas.
It’s a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that is impossible to detect without a special test. Radon, produced by the normal decay of uranium in soil and rocks, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking. For nonsmokers, itis the leading cause of lung cancer.
Nationwide, it is linked to about 21,800 lung cancer deaths annually, including 1,100 in California.
While radon levels in California are lower than on the East Coast, state officials urge that all homes be tested.
The state Department of Health Services and the Environmental Protection Agency say there is some risk with any level of radon exposure; no level of radon is safe.
“By putting your head in the sand and not doing anything, you’re hurting nobody but yourself,” said J. David Quinton, environmental health specialist with the state Department of Health Services Radon Program.
Today marks the beginning of Radon Action Week, as declared by the EPA. Here’s a look at the ways radon affects homes and lives:
HOW IT ENTERS A HOME
A home can trap radon inside, allowing it to accumulate. Radon can also be present in well water and can be released into the air by showering or other water usage. Here are the major radon entry routes into the home:
Cracks in the foundation Cracks and pores in the walls
Gaps in suspended floors
Gaps around service pipes
Floor-wall joints
Water (from some wells)
WHAT’S THE RISK
An estimated 1% to 2% of California homes, or 100,000 to 200,000 residences, could have elevated levels of radon. Along the Ventura Freeway, from Encino to Agoura Hills, an estimated 14% of homes could have elevated levels.
Radon levels can be different for each home in a neighborhood. Just because one home gets a low reading doesn’t mean all nearby homes will test the same.
When inhaled, radon can leave alpha particles, which emit low levels of radiation over long periods of time in the lungs. In the course of a person 3/8s life, radon can damage lung tissue and increase the risk of lung cancer.
The risk of developing lung cancer from radon depends on how much of the gas is in the home, the amount of time spent at home and whether a person is a current or former smoker.
LOWERING RADON LEVELS
Several methods are available to lower radon in a home, including a suction system (right). Some techniques prevent radon from entering, while others reduce the amount of gas that has already entered. The Depart-ment of Health Services can provide a list of state-certifiedcontractors. Repairs range from about $500 to $2,000.
TESTING FOR RADON
The only way to find out whether your home has an elevated radon level is to run a test. Officials suggest starting with a short-term test. If elevated levels are detected, a long-term test should be run to give a year-round average. California’s real estate disclosure law requires the seller to notify the buyer that a test has been conducted, regardless of the results.
Test kits are available from the National Safety Council and at some hardware stores. Make sure the test is certified by the Department of Health Services. For more information, or to obtain a coupon for a low-cost test available through the National Safety Council, call the radon hotline at (800) 745-7236.
Short-term test: Charcoal test device. Windows and doors are kept closed during the four-day test to gauge the peak radon level in the home. Cost: $7 (with coupon available from state).
Long-term test: Alpha track detector. Device is placed on a shelf and left undisturbed for one year. Cost: $25.
Source: State Department of Health Services Radon Program; Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL/Los Angeles Times
