RADON Q&A

This page is to help you be more informed and aware about radon, how to test for it, and let you know what to do if you think you may have an issue. If you still have questions after reading through this handout, please give Malmstrom AFB Homes (406) 315-2262 or the Military Housing Office (406) 731-3446 a call.

RADON
What is radon?
Radon is a gaseous radioactive element having the symbol Rn, the atomic number 86, an atomic weight of 222, a melting point of -71ºC, a boiling point of -62ºC, and depending on the source, there are between 20 and 25 isotopes of radon - 20 cited in the chemical summary, 25 listed in the table of isotopes. It is an extremely toxic, colorless gas; it can be condensed to a transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid. It is derived from the radioactive decay of radium and is used in cancer treatment, as a tracer in leak detection, and in radiography.

Where does radon come from?
Radon-222 is the decayed product of radium-226. radon-222 and its parent, radium-226, are part of the long decay chain for uranium-238. Since uranium is essentially ubiquitous-being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time in the earth's crust, radium-226 and radon-222 are present in almost all rock, all soil and water.

The amount of radon in the soil depends on soil chemistry, which varies from one house to the next. Radon levels in the soil range from a few hundred to several thousands of picocuries per liter in air. The amount of radon that escapes from the soil to enter the house depends on the weather, soil porosity, soil moisture, and the suction within the house.

How does radon get into your home?
Any home may have a radon problem. Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

What are the health effects from exposure to radon?
There are no immediate symptoms from exposures to radon. Based on an updated Assessment of Risk for Radon in Homes, radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Smokers are at higher risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years after exposure. There is no evidence that other respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are caused by radon exposure and there is no evidence that children are at any greater risk of radon-induced lung cancer than adults.

How do I get a radon test kit? Are they free?
Radon test kits are available from several sources. Free test kits are sometimes available from local or county health departments, or from state radon programs.The National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University has test kits available to purchase online at www.sosradon.org or call 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236). Test kits are also available from some local or state American Lung Associations and some home improvement stores.

Here is a guide for those that are renting apartments or houses. It explains questions listed above in addition to many other questions. Another guide that is extremely informative is A Citizen's Guide to Radon, which is a guide to protecting yourself and your family from radon.

Here is an interactive map of potential indoor levels of radon in your area. Great Falls is in Zone 1.

For more information about radon, visit U.S. EPA website at www.epa.gov/radon.