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Radon, the silent killer in Tennessee
Click here to see the Surgeon General Announcement on Radon.
The Tennessee Department of Radon reports that in a statistically valid survey of homes, some startling facts emerged. A high percentage of single family homes in Tennessee are likely to have radon levels above EPA recommended limit of 4 pCi/l.
National |
Tennessee |
Middle TN |
6% |
16% |
30% to 50% |
Click here for an EPA Map of Radon Zones
Today, it is known that portions of Tennessee including Nashville-Davidson County , Williamson and Rutherford Counties , the percent of single-family homes with elevated levels of radon have ranged from thirty percent (30%) to fifty percent (50%).
1. Radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer, is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and invisible radioactive gas that is formed by the decay of the naturally occurring, radioactive element, uranium, in the soils and rocks of the earth. When uranium decays, it forms radium, which decays further to form radon gas. Radon is known as the Silent Killer.
2. Since radon is a naturally occurring gas, it is everywhere. When there is not a building trapping the natural upward flow of radon, it disperses through air and causes little harm. However. It moves into homes through cracks in walls, floors and vents, around slab penetrations, floor/wall junctures, block walls, sump pumps, well water supplies, and other openings. All homes and structures are susceptible to radon. It is a myth that only basements or newer homes and buildings are at risk. The type of construction, design, use, and/or age of the structure does not determine radon levels.
3. It is a silent killer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States , second only to cigarette smoking. Radon does not cause headaches, shortness of breath, coughing, or fever. Inhalation of radon gas causes mutations in healthy lung cells and causes cancer with prolonged exposure. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer from exposure to radon since smoking exacerbates the mutation of lung cells and deteriorates lung function.
4. The EPA and the Tennessee Department of Radon recommends that all homes be tested for radon regardless of zone designation or geographic location. There is no zone that has no risk factor for radon.
Percent of tests below 4 pCi/l |
66% |
Percent of tests between 4 and 10 pCi/l |
23% |
Percent of tests between 10 and 20 pCi/l |
8% |
Percent of tests between 20 and 50 pCi/l |
2.5% |
Percent of tests between 50 and 100 pCi/l |
0.4% |
Percent of tests over 100 pCi/l |
0.1% |
Click here for an EPA Map of Radon Zones
email: houstonpewett@mail.com
phone: (615) 310-1886
Or click here to schedule an inspection.
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