What is it: Radon is a radioactive,
colorless, odorless, tasteless gas,
occurring naturally as an indirect
decay product of uranium or thorium.
Some radon gas from natural sources
can accumulate to higher-than-normal
concentrations in buildings, especially
in confined areas such as attics
and basements.
Studies have shown a link between
breathing high concentrations of
radon and lung cancer.
Radon is the second-most-frequent
cause of lung cancer, after cigarette
smoking, causing 21,000 lung cancer
deaths per year in the United States.
About 2,900 of these deaths occur
among people who never have smoked.
By James Day
A recent Portland State University study shows levels of radon gas in Oregon homes are much higher than previously thought, according to PSU geology professor Scott Burns, who compiled the study from tests at homes and businesses statewide.
Silverton is in a particular trouble spot, Burns said.
Silverton scored high levels of radon on both the short- and long-term tests that Burns and his research team administered.
Mount Angel, meanwhile, was listed as uncategorized. Not enough homes were tested to produce meaningful data, he said.
Radon, which occurs naturally in soil, can leak through the foundations of homes and build up in houses.
It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States after smoking.
Richard Sherman, Marion County program supervisor for environmental health, said that the county “has not issued any recommendations. We would at this time urge everyone to go to the Oregon Health Authority’s and the U.S. EPA websites to get further information.”
Burns noted that residents can buy radon testing kits at most hardware stores for $10 to $35.
There are short-term tests that run for two to 90 days and longer-term kits that test from 90 days to a year.
Short-term tests that produce a radon level of 4 picocuries per liter or more should be repeated. Repeat tests or long-term tests above that 4 picocurie level should be addressed.
Remediation, which usually includes sealing basements and crawl spaces and venting through the roof, generally costs $1,000 to $2,000, Burns said.
Mount Angel: Short = U; Long = U
Silverton: Short = H; Long = H
Key: H = high; U = uncategorized (because fewer than 10 homes were tested), Short = short-term testing, Long = long-term testing. Low and medium were the other possible ratings.
