Presence of radon
From Floor Coverings
Contents |
Is there Radon in my flooring?
What Is Radon?
It is a radioactive gas that can cause cancer. If your home is full of radon gas then you can get lung cancer. Radon gas comes from uranium and can be found all across the U.S. in soil, rocks and water. Tests are available easily for the homeowner to check for the presence of radon gas in their homes. Homeowners need to be concerned about radon gas because the home is where it accumulates the most, and as homes are enclosed, it can seep in from the earth and through floors, or from some products used in home construction.
How do I detect radon in my floors?
If you discover the presence of radon in your home, radon reduction systems are available and they do work. New homes can be built using radon-resistant construction techniques. Every new home should be tested for the presence of radon, even if these techniques were used. Radon gas moves up through the ground and into your home through cracks in your foundation and through your flooring. It pays to keep your cement foundations and flooring in good repair, and free from cracks, if only for that reason. Some radon can enter through well water. Perhaps one in every fifteen homes in the U.S. have elevated radon gas levels. There is short and long term testing available to monitor your home. A radon professional can be called in to help you with eradication and to put your mind at ease and get you back on track and free from the presence of radon.
Products With Radon, And Products Without.
Any naturally formed rock, such as granite, could contain radon. Even if you do not have granite countertops in your kitchen or granite tiles on any of your floors, you should always test your home periodically. Some granite shows signs of more radiation that other types, it just depends on how old it is and where it's from in the world. Because granite isn't very porous (that's what makes it a great material to use for countertops) not much radon would escape from it. Sandstone is a more porous rock so if you have that in your home, perhaps in floor tiles or other forms, then it would definitely be worth testing for radon gas emissions. Testing granite countertops for radiation is quite sophisticated and there is no known home test for it. Because granite countertops and tiles are usually installed in kitchens and bathrooms and those rooms are well ventilated, then there is not much risk of radiation coming off your granite surfaces. A general testing of the air in your home should provide piece of mind. If radon is found to be coming up through your foundation then floors -- that can soon be fixed.
