How Radon Is Affecting You: The Silent Risk in Your Home
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps into homes from the ground. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, which makes it almost impossible to detect without specialized equipment. Although it may be invisible, its effects are anything but. Exposure to elevated levels of radon over time can lead to serious health risks, particularly lung cancer. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware of how radon is affecting them until it is too late.
In New Hampshire, where granite bedrock is common, radon levels in homes can be significantly higher than the national average. Whether it is entering through your basement floor, crawlspace, or even your private well water, radon could be accumulating in your home without you knowing it. At Advanced Radon Mitigation & Water Treatment, we specialize in diagnosing and solving these problems through professional mitigation systems that ensure a healthier home environment.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It is present throughout the United States, but some areas, like New Hampshire, are more prone due to geological conditions. The gas travels through the ground and can enter buildings through cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, sump pits, and even private well water.
Since radon is odorless and colorless, it does not alert you to its presence like carbon monoxide or natural gas might. The only way to know your exposure level is through professional testing.
How Radon Is Affecting You: The Health Impact
1. Lung Cancer Risk
The most serious health effect of radon exposure is lung cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking. It is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths annually.
When radon gas is inhaled, its radioactive particles can become trapped in your lungs. Over time, the radiation damages lung tissue and increases your risk of developing cancer.
- Smokers exposed to radon are at an even greater risk
- Children and older adults may be more vulnerable due to increased sensitivity or time spent indoors
2. Cumulative Exposure
Radon does not cause immediate symptoms like coughing or dizziness. Its damage is cumulative. The longer you live in a home with high radon levels, the greater your health risk becomes. That is why it is especially dangerous in homes with finished basements or bedrooms on lower levels, where radon levels tend to be highest.
3. Ingestion Through Water
Radon can also enter your body through ingestion, though this is less common. If your home relies on a private well, radon can dissolve into your water supply. This water releases radon gas into the air during everyday activities like showering, laundry, and cooking.
How Radon Enters Your Home
Radon enters your home from the ground beneath it. It moves through:
- Cracks in concrete floors and foundations
- Gaps around pipes or wiring
- Wall and floor joints
- Sump pumps or drains
- Well water systems
- Crawlspaces with exposed soil
Because radon is heavier than air, it tends to accumulate in the lowest levels of the home. Without adequate ventilation or a mitigation system, it can build up to dangerous concentrations.
New Hampshire and Radon: A Geological Risk
New Hampshire ranks among the states with the highest radon potential in the country. This is due to the high uranium content in its granite-rich bedrock. Towns throughout Southern, Central, and Coastal New Hampshire have documented elevated radon levels, both in air and well water.
If you live in New Hampshire and have never tested for radon, you may be at risk without realizing it. Homes built on slabs, with basements, or using private wells are especially vulnerable.
How to Know If Radon Is Affecting You
The only way to know if radon is present in your home is through testing. Because symptoms do not appear until damage has already occurred, early detection is key.
Signs That You Should Test for Radon:
- You live in a region with known high radon levels
- You have a basement or a crawlspace
- You use a private well for drinking water
- You or a family member has respiratory issues or lung concerns
- You are buying or selling a home
- You have never tested your current home
Radon testing is affordable and reliable. At Advanced Radon Mitigation & Water Treatment, we refer clients to trusted third-party labs for unbiased results.
What Are Safe Radon Levels?
The EPA recommends taking action if your home’s radon level is 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. However, there is no truly "safe" level of radon. Even exposure to levels between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L may still pose a risk, particularly for children and smokers.
Once radon has been detected, installing a mitigation system can reduce levels significantly, often to below 1.0 pCi/L.
How Mitigation Systems Work
At Advanced Radon Mitigation & Water Treatment, we install sub-slab depressurization systems, the most effective form of radon mitigation. These systems work by creating negative pressure beneath the home’s foundation to draw radon gas out before it can enter your living space.
Key Components of a Mitigation System:
- PVC piping installed through the basement or slab
- A quiet, continuously operating fan to vent radon outdoors
- Exterior discharge pipe that releases gas above the roofline
- Sealing of foundation cracks and entry points
For radon in well water, we install aeration systems that safely vent radon gas from the water supply before it reaches your taps.
Benefits of Professional Radon Mitigation
- Reduced cancer risk for everyone in your home
- Improved indoor air quality
- Peace of mind knowing your home is safe
- Increased property value, especially for resale
- Quick and permanent solution, often installed in a single day
We provide custom mitigation systems tailored to your home’s structure, radon levels, and water source. Our technicians are NRPP certified and experienced with New Hampshire’s unique environmental conditions.
Additional Ways Radon May Be Affecting You
1. Your Energy Usage
Homes with elevated radon often have poor ventilation. Sealing a home to improve energy efficiency may inadvertently trap radon indoors. A balanced approach that includes a mitigation system can protect your health and maintain efficiency.
2. Your Indoor Air Quality
Radon can interact with dust, mold, and other airborne pollutants. A mitigation system improves overall air circulation, which can reduce allergens and indoor toxins.
3. Your Family’s Health Over Time
Young children, pregnant individuals, and people with respiratory issues are more sensitive to environmental toxins. Proactive mitigation reduces the cumulative burden of exposure in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I smell or taste radon?
No. Radon is completely odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Testing is the only way to detect it.
Q: Is radon a problem only in basements?
While basements usually have the highest concentrations, radon can migrate to upper levels. It is a whole-house issue if not addressed.
Q: Does opening windows help reduce radon?
Temporarily, yes. However, this is not a reliable or long-term solution. Once windows close, levels often return to dangerous amounts.
Q: How long does it take to install a radon mitigation system?
Most systems can be installed in one day by a professional technician.
Q: What about radon in water?
If you use a private well, radon may be dissolved in your water supply. We recommend water testing and the use of aeration systems if needed.
Q: How much does mitigation cost?
Costs vary depending on the size of your home and system design. We offer clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees.
Q: Will mitigation affect my home’s appearance?
Our team installs systems with aesthetics in mind, placing exterior components discreetly and using clean finishes indoors.
Take Action Today to Protect Your Home
Radon exposure is a serious issue, but the solution is simple and effective. If you have never tested your home, or if your last test was years ago, it is time to take action. You cannot see how radon is affecting you, but the risk is very real.
At Advanced Radon Mitigation & Water Treatment, we are proud to serve families throughout Southern, Central, and Coastal New Hampshire with expert mitigation systems and water treatment solutions.
Call us today at (603) 644-1207 or visit our website to schedule your consultation.