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What rocks produce radon gas?
Soil gas radon enters buildings through the cracks and openings in the foundations, aided by the pressure differential there is between the soil and the building.
What contains radon?
The main source of indoor radon is radon gas infiltration from soil into buildings. Rock and soil produce radon gas. Building materials, the water supply, and natural gas can all be sources of radon in the home. Basements allow more opportunity for soil gas entry than slab-on-grade foundations.
Where can radon be found naturally?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and comes from the natural breakdown (radioactive decay) of uranium. It is usually found in igneous rock and soil, but in some cases, well water may also be a source of radon.
What type of soil causes radon?
Radon moves more readily through permeable soils, such as coarse sand and gravel, than through impermeable soils, such as clays. Frac- tures in any soil or rock allow radon to move more quickly. Radon in water moves slower than radon in air.
What kind of soil produces radon?
Granitic type soils present higher levels of radon gas. Non-granitic soils have traditionally been considered to have very low radon levels.
Does all soil contain radon?
Well, radon isn’t in the soil, but its parent material, uranium, is. And uranium is radioactive. It’s a natural element of the soil found most everywhere. Fortunately, it is generally found in very low concentrations and makes up part of the natural background radiation that we all experience.
What are signs of radon in your house?
Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you’ve been exposed to high levels of radon, it’s very important to quit smoking.
What creates the greatest radon threat?
Although radon is present outdoors, your greatest risk of exposure is where it can accumulate (indoors) and where you spend most of your time (at home). Radon can accumulate in your home whether it is old or new, drafty or well-insulated, regardless of foundation type.
Do most homes have radon?
The simple answer is “yes” – at least trace levels of radon will exist in every home. That will mean an old home, new home, drafty home, well insulated home and homes with and without basements. If any part of your foundation is in direct contact with the soil, it has the potential of having elevated levels.