Is there Radon in Richmond?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths. So, you may be wondering, is there Radon in Richmond? Ultimately, there is Radon everywhere. However, some homes have higher concentrations of Radon than others.
The Radon concentration level the EPA recommends mitigating is 4 pCi/L and above. Notably, results from airchek.com estimate that around 24% of Richmond homes have radon concentration levels requiring mitigation.
In other words, 24% of Richmond homes have radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L.
 | Results under 2 pCi/L Results between 2 and 3.9 pCi/L = Results 4 pCi/L and above |
What is Radon?
According to the EPA, Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. Specifically, it is a gas that decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.
How does radon enter your home?
Radon breaks down into a gas from Uranium found in almost all soils. Then, the gas can travel through the ground and into your home through cracks in the foundation, expansion joints or gaps in the foundation, holes or voids in the subfloor, contaminated water, and even granite countertops. As a result, the radon gets trapped in the house, and many factors can determine its concentration levels.
What is the Risk of Living with Radon?
Radon causes 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year. In fact, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is second only to smoking.
Another key point is that if you smoke or have secondhand smoke exposure and radon exposure, your chances of getting lung cancer significantly increase. The EPA has provided these charts to represent the risks associated with radon exposure.
Radon Risk If You Smoke
Radon Level | If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime* | The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to** | WHAT TO DO: Stop smoking and… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 pCi/L | About 260 people could get lung cancer | 250 times the risk of drowning | Fix your home |
| 10 pCi/L | About 150 people could get lung cancer | 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire | Fix your home |
| 8 pCi/L | About 120 people could get lung cancer | 30 times the risk of dying in a fall | Fix your home |
| 4 pCi/L | About 62 people could get lung cancer | 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash | Fix your home |
| 2 pCi/L | About 32 people could get lung cancer | 6 times the risk of dying from poison | Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L |
| 1.3 pCi/L | About 20 people could get lung cancer | (Average indoor radon level) | (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.) |
| 0.4 pCi/L | About 3 people could get lung cancer | (Average outdoor radon level) | |
| Note: Your risk may be lower if you are a former smoker. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports. | |||
Radon Risk if You’ve Never Smoked
Radon Level | If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed to this level over a lifetime* | The risk of cancer from radon exposure compares to** | WHAT TO DO: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 pCi/L | About 36 people could get lung cancer | 35 times the risk of drowning | Fix your home |
| 10 pCi/L | About 18 people could get lung cancer | 20 times the risk of dying in a home fire | Fix your home |
| 8 pCi/L | About 15 people could get lung cancer | 4 times the risk of dying in a fall | Fix your home |
| 4 pCi/L | About 7 people could get lung cancer | The risk of dying in a car crash | Fix your home |
| 2 pCi/L | About 4 person could get lung cancer | The risk of dying from poison | Consider fixing between 2 and 4 pCi/L |
| 1.3 pCi/L | About 2 people could get lung cancer | (Average indoor radon level) | (Reducing radon levels below 2 pCi/L is difficult.) |
| 0.4 pCi/L | (Average outdoor radon level) | ||
| Note: Your risk may be higher if you are a former smoker. * Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). ** Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports. | |||
What About Radon in Richmond?
Here is a chart of average radon test results in and around Richmond. Notice that the EPA considers Richmond, Henrico, New Kent, Charles, and Prince George as low potential zones, but they recommend radon testing regardless of zones. On the other hand, Goochland, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Hopewell, and Petersburg are in Zone 3, which is the high potential zone. Average test results in this zone are above 4 pCi/L, which should get mitigated for health reasons. We recommend testing your home regardless of location.
- Radon in Richmond Virginia
What now?
Radon does not have to be scary. You can hire a professional tester or perform your own home radon test.
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