Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that exists in the soil. Radon gas is released as a decay product of Radium, which itself is a decay product of Uranium. Unlike its radioactive parents, Radon is not “locked” in the ground, and when Radium decays into Radon, it is “unlocked” and free to move upward through the gaps in the soil. When Radon gas decays, it emits alpha radiation. Alpha radiation does not penetrate as far as Gamma or Beta radiation, but it does more damage.

When inhaled, radon can decay in the lungs. That radioactive decay can damage our DNA and lung tissues, leaving behind its own radioactive progeny—heavy metal particles like Lead and Polonium—that bind themselves to those tissues and decay themselves, increasing the potential for further damage. Because of this, Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and can increase the risk in “ever-smokers” by up to 9 times.

Radon gas makes its way through the soil and then enters buildings and homes through openings, cracks, and gaps in the foundations, slabs, and floors. Radon gas is drawn indoors due to pressure differences between inside and outside air, also known as the “Stack Effect.” Warm air indoors has a lower pressure, and cooler soil gases are drawn inside. As warm air escapes through leaks in the ceiling (think your bathroom fan), our homes act as giant vacuum cleaners. Weather can also cause indoor radon levels to spike.

The average radon level indoors is about 1.3 pCi/L (picocuries per liter), and outdoors is around 0.4 pCi/L. The EPA recommends action above 4 pCi/L. There is a misconception that radon is not a problem in Central Oregon, but each building is different. There are examples of homes in the area that have tested 10-20 times higher than the action level. It is important to know the risk in your home. If radon levels test above EPA thresholds, mitigation is typically affordable and effective.