Radon is an invisible, odourless radioactive gas that could be silently affecting your home’s air quality and putting your health at risk. While many people focus on outdoor air pollution, indoor radon exposure is a greater concern, especially in poorly ventilated homes.
Understanding what radon gas is, where it comes from, and how to reduce radon levels can help you create a safer, healthier home environment.
Understanding this radioactive gas
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms due to the radioactive decay of uranium in rock and soil. It is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, making it impossible to detect without professional testing equipment.
While the gas exists in outdoor air at small amounts, high levels of radon indoors can pose serious health risks. Radon in homes is particularly concerning, as it can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas.
Where does radon gas come from?
Radon gas seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, walls, and floors, as well as through gaps around pipes and drains. The most common sources of radon include:
- Rock and soil beneath buildings – As uranium decays, the gas rises from the ground and enters buildings.
- Groundwater – Well water and underground sources can carry the gas, releasing it into the air when used.
- Building materials – Some materials, like concrete and stone, may contain small amounts of uranium and emit the gas over time.
- Poor ventilation – Basements, crawl spaces, and enclosed areas with limited airflow are more susceptible to radon buildup.
Is radon dangerous? The health risks you need to know
Exposure to radon is a serious health concern, particularly for those exposed to high levels of the gas over long periods. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies the gas as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is a known cause of cancer.
The primary health risk of the gas is that it leads to lung cancer. It is estimated to cause between three to 14 per cent of all lung cancers in a country, responsible for thousands of deaths each year. When inhaled, the gas’ radioactive particles can damage lung tissue, increasing the risk of developing lung cancer.
Smokers face an even greater risk when exposed to radon, as the combination of tobacco smoke and radon significantly heightens the risk of developing lung cancer.
FURTHER READING: Key facts of radon
Can air purifiers remove radon gas?
While air purifiers can help improve indoor air quality, they do not remove radon gas itself. The gas is known to pass through most air filters.
However, air purifiers can reduce radon decay products (radon progeny)—radioactive particles that attach to dust and other airborne pollutants.
Here’s how air purifiers can help:
- HEPA filters – Capture radon decay products attached to dust, preventing them from being inhaled.
- Activated carbon filters – Absorb some decay byproducts and other harmful pollutants.
- Better air circulation – Reducing airborne particles can lower overall exposure to radon’s radioactive elements.
Although air purifiers cannot replace proper radon mitigation, they can complement other strategies to improve indoor air quality.
How to reduce radon levels in your home
To effectively lower radon levels in your home, consider taking the following steps:
- Improve ventilation – Increase airflow in basements, crawl spaces, and poorly ventilated areas to disperse the gas.
- Seal cracks and foundation gaps – Use radon-resistant sealants to block entry points in floors, walls, and foundations.
- Use an air purifier – While not a complete solution, air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters help reduce airborne radon decay products.
- Reduce humidity levels – Since radon dissolves more easily in moist air, maintaining balanced humidity levels by using a dehumidifier can help reduce radon levels.
- Monitor radon levels – Checking the average radon level in your home with a radon detector can help you take timely action.
Protect your home from radon exposure
Radon is a silent but preventable health risk that affects many homes worldwide. By understanding the gas, where it comes from, and how to reduce radon levels, you can take steps to create a healthier indoor environment.
While air purifiers can help reduce radon decay products, ventilation and structural improvements remain the most effective ways to protect against the gas. Taking action now can help safeguard your home and loved ones from this hidden threat.
