Radon : measure the indoor air quality of your home
Radon gas, characteristics and dangers
What is Radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas produced by the decay of Uranium and Radium naturally present in soil and rocks. Radon is present everywhere: in water, air, and soil, but health risks result from its presence in the air. In the long term, inhalation of Radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer, and its effect on health is similar to that of secondhand smoke.
Why is this natural gas dangerous?
This naturally occurring carcinogenic gas seeps through every imperfection in the building’s interface with the ground: cracks, pipes running through slabs. While Radon concentrations are too low to be dangerous in the open air, confined environments promote its accumulation. Its concentration varies greatly over time and space (from one building to another, from one room to another, etc.).
In France, lung cancer is responsible for approximately 30,000 deaths each year. According to a study published in 2018 by IRSN and Santé publique France, Radon may play a role in the occurrence of some lung cancer deaths, at a rate of approximately 10%. Each year, 3,000 deaths are attributable to Radon, and it is the second leading cause of lung cancer mortality after tobacco.
How do I know the Radon concentration in my home?
To determine the Radon concentration in your home, you must take measurements using Radon dosimeters that you place yourself in the most frequently used rooms of your home for at least two months, preferably during the winter. After exposure, the dosimeters must be returned to the ALGADE laboratory for analysis. The results are sent by email.
It is also possible to use electronic Radon monitors (ÆR), which measure and display the Radon concentration in real time in the room where the device is located. This measurement allows you to easily visualize changes in concentration over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Radon
What is the risk to my health ?
Radon exposure has no immediate health effects. It is the combination of long-term exposure and the Radon concentration in a given location that determines the risk of developing lung cancer.
How does Radon get into a building ?
Which areas are affected ?
How to use a Radon detector ?
The Radon detector (or Radon dosimeter) must be placed in the most frequently used rooms of the dwelling. To obtain reliable results that accurately reflect the occupants’ actual exposure, the Radon detector must be exposed for at least two months during the building’s heating season (winter). After exposure, the Radon dosimeter must be sent to the ALGADE laboratory for analysis under COFRAC accreditation. The results, expressed as Radon activity concentration (in Bq/m³), are sent by email. They should be compared to the reference level set by the Public Health Code at 300 Bq/m³.
How to use an electronic Radon monitor ?
An electronic Radon monitor (ÆR) is a device that measures the Radon concentration in the room in which it is installed in real time. Equipped with a display, it allows the user to monitor the Radon concentration in real time and visualize natural variations in Radon concentration over time.
Using a Radon monitor allows users to understand the impact of implementing Radon concentration reduction measures.
How to reduce Radon levels at home ?
If the Radon concentration exceeds the reference level set by regulations, it is recommended to improve indoor air renewal (natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation) and/or limit Radon entry by improving the airtightness between the ground and the building.
