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Radon

Radon is a cancer causing, radioactive gas. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. You cannot see it, smell it or taste it. Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Exposure to elevated levels of radon greatly enhances the risk of lung cancer, and even small exposures to radon can result in increased cancer risk. Smoking combined with radon poses a very serious risk. Radon gas can enter a home from the soil under the house through cracks in the concrete slab, floors, or walls and through floor drains, sump pumps, construction joints and cracks or pores in hollow-block walls. Normal pressure differences between the house and the soil can create a slight vacuum in the house, which can draw radon from the soil into the building. The design, construction and ventilation of the home can affect the radon levels of the home. There is a very effective method for reducing radon levels in a home, but prior to investing in installation of a mitigation system, the radon levels should be measured.

Radon in Idaho

The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey have evaluated the radon potential in the U.S. and have developed the map below to assist National, State, and local organizations to target their resources and to assist building code officials in deciding whether radon-resistant features are applicable in new construction. The EPA states that all homes should be tested regardless of geographic location. The map assigns each of the 3,141 counties in the U.S. to one of three zones based on radon potential. Each zone designation reflects the average short-term radon measurement that can be expected to be measured in a building without the implementation of radon control methods. The radon zone designation of the highest priority is Zone 1. <Back>