- To answer that question, yes, radon levels in a home tend to be higher during the winter.
- And those higher levels of radon gas can lead to an increased chance of lung cancer.
- While indoor radon gas levels are generally higher during winter, sometimes the summer can have higher indoor radon levels.
Besides, How worried should I be about radon? You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.
Does opening windows reduce radon?
As a temporary solution, however, you can reduce radon levels simply by opening windows. Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open.
Do air purifiers reduce radon? Yes, air purifiers help with radon gas reduction to some extent. The air purifiers with activated carbon filter technology are highly effective in trapping radon gas.
Hence, Does running the furnace increase radon? Winter is a good time to test for radon because you are, in-most cases, measuring the worst case scenario for your home. With the hatches battened down and the furnace running, you are creating a scenario that can cause radon levels to be higher.
What type of soil has the most radon?
Granitic type soils present higher levels of radon gas. Non-granitic soils have traditionally been considered to have very low radon levels.
Should I walk away from a house with radon?
Radon-related deaths are due to exposure over the course of a lifetime. “You should definitely take it seriously but you really don’t need to walk away from the home. It’s actually pretty easy to remove radon, and it’s not that expensive,” Consumer Reports Home Editor Paul Hope said.
How long do you have to be exposed to radon for it to be harmful?
There are no immediate signs or symptoms from breathing in background radon. Repeated exposure over time — around 20 years — can lead to cancer development, especially if you are also a smoker.
Which creates the greatest radon threat?
For most people, the greatest exposure to radon occurs in the home where people spend much of their time, though indoor workplaces may also be a source of exposure.
What are the signs of radon poisoning?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.
- Persistent cough.
- Hoarseness.
- Wheezing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Coughing up blood.
- Chest pain.
- Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Loss of appetite.
What kind of cancers does radon cause?
How does radon cause cancer? Radon decays quickly, giving off tiny radioactive particles. When inhaled, these radioactive particles can damage the cells that line the lung. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer, the only cancer proven to be associated with inhaling radon.
