What is Radon
Radon is....
Colorless, odorless, and a tasteless gas. It is naturally occurring and is found in every home and building. Radon is a radioactive gas created as uranium in the soil, rock, or water, decays or breaks down. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. If you smoke or have a pre-existing lung condition you may be at even a higher risk for developing lung cancer.
How does it enter your house
Radon is drawn into your house from the soil underground due to the effects of negative pressure inside your home which is caused by the temperature differences inside your home compared to the outside air. This means air pressure inside your home is lower than outside. Radon enters through small cracks, sump pump cavities, joints, and other openings in the basement floor or wall.
Health Risks
Why should you worry about something you can't see or smell? Radon is a radioactive gas and a Class A carcinogen. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It may take years of exposure or high levels of radon exposure for the effects of radon to start to develop. When radon gas is inhaled, it gets deposited into the lung tissue where it decays and releases small particles of radiation that can damage DNA, which can lead to the growth of cancer cells.