Radon Depletion By Floor Level
Radon levels less than 4 pci l still pose a risk and in many cases may be reduced.
Radon depletion by floor level. Unfortunately two thirds of all homes exceed this level. One becquerel equals one radioactive disintegration per second. The best radon level measurement would be zero. To this end the us epa has set an action level of 4 pci l.
This action level was set at 4 pci l partly because it is technically possible to reduce radon to 4 pci l in most homes. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels your risk of lung cancer is especially high. Radon gas is slightly heavier than air so. Unfortunately that s not possible.
Would like to find out if it s ok to install drainage perforated black pipe piping under vapor barrier in encapsulated crawl for radon. Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter or pci l. Select a state certified and or qualified radon mitigation contractor. As a radioactive gas radon can enter a home through cracks in the foundation floor and walls through basement floor drains and through sump openings.
Radon gas is measured in picocuries per liter pci l and the epa recommends radon mitigation for all homes with radon gas levels of 4 pci l or higher. The preferred radon level measurement unit is becquerels per cubic meter bq m3. As we are more interested in radon concentrations indoors we are also more interested in radon concentrations in places we spend most of our time i e. Levels of 4 pci l or higher are considered hazardous.
Surprisingly radon testing in association with real estate transactions has only been around since the early 1990s. Epa recommends that you take action to reduce radon if the radon level in your home is 4 pci l or higher. Radon can also enter a home through holes made in the foundation walls for pipes and other utility lines. The us epa was tasked with setting practical guidelines and recommendations for the nation.
Radon levels less than 4 pci l still pose a risk and in many cases can be reduced. Homes schools and work. I am having elevated 9 3 pci l radon after mitigation done. However even houses with a seemingly tight concrete foundation can have high radon levels.
Radon act 51 passed by congress set the natural outdoor level of radon gas 0 4 pci l as the target radon level for indoor radon levels. The unfinished basement radon level was slightly above 4 pci l the first floor was lower at just above 2 pci l and one of the second floor bedrooms tested at above 8 pci l. The average global outdoor radon level varies between 5 15 bq m3 equal to 0 135 0 405 pci l.