Radon in the Basement
Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste.  Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and claims about 21,000 lives annually. Radon enters the basement environment and circulates to the floors above by air.

Radon Gases
Radon is an invisible and odorless radioactive gas and is continuously created by natural breakdown metals in soils.  Any home in any state may have a radon problem.  The average person receives each year more radiation from radon than from all other source. Almost all risks come from breathing air with radon and its decayed products. 

Air pressure inside homes (basements) is slightly lower than in the ground creating a vacuum which draws in radon from several feet away into the basement through openings and pores in concrete.  Warm air inside homes moves upward like inside a stack and this stack effect reduces air pressure in the basement.  When the ground is soaked with rain, the bottled up radon gas in the ground moves to a warm opening such as a basement.  This stack effect will cause radon inflow that will easily migrate in to the home.

Concrete cures and passes moisture to the surfaces creating a network of capillaries (pores).  Almost half of the water used in poured concrete mix is surplus and has to evaporate.  The pores allow a passage way for radon gases, water vapor, and liquid water to enter the basement.

Heavy radon gas accumulates in basements and on lower floors.  According to the residential radon lung cancer study completed in Iowa, the 1st floor of a home receives 40% of its air from the basement level.

Effect of Radon Gases
Radon decaying products causes cancer. It is estimated that 12% of all lung cancers are caused by exposure to Radon gas.  It is also estimated that 15,000 to 21,000 of the 158,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States are caused by exposure to Radon.  Many years may pass before the effects of radon are detected.

Prevent Radon Gases
Minimize the entry of radon gas into your home sealing cracks in the foundation and along the basement walls, floors, or molding.  Cover all crawl spaces with a heavy polyethylene barrier and seal it to the foundation wall.  Close sump pits and floor drains.