Is radon an issue in Tucson AZ?

Radon levels in Arizona are generally low, there are, however, several hot spots throughout the state. Some of the more prominent radon hot spots include: Tucson (the area around Cardinal Avenue); the Cave Creek Area; parts of the Verde Valley; and the Granite Dells near Prescott.

Is radon a problem in AZ?

Myth: Radon is a rare problem. Zone 1 counties have predicted indoor radon levels higher than 4 pCi/L. Zone 2 counties have predicted indoor radon levels from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Zone 3 counties have predicted indoor radon levels less than 2 pCi/L. The entire state of Arizona is classified as Zone 2.

Are store bought radon tests accurate?

“Short-term radon test kits are not effective in measuring radon gas exposure: Findings show radon tests of less than 90 days are imprecise up to 99 percent of the time.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 December 2019.

Where is radon most common?

Radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars and living spaces in contact with the ground. However, considerable radon concentration can also be found above the ground floor. Radon concentrations vary considerably between adjacent buildings, as well as within a building from day to day and from hour to hour.

Where does radon come from?

Radon comes naturally from uranium through a long series of radioactive transformations, meaning it undergoes radium decay before it is transformed into a chemically reactive atom. Radon enters basements as the air tends to be at lower pressure than the soil gases under the slab.

What is radon gas?

Radon is a radioactive noble gas that comes from the decay of radium in the soil. Radium is also a daughter or progeny nuclide of Uranium (Uranium decay). Radon is a colorless, odorless, invisible gas that can only be detected through the use of proper equipment and protocols.

What season is radon highest?

To answer that question, yes, radon levels in a home tend to be higher during the winter. And those higher levels of radon gas can lead to an increased chance of lung cancer. While indoor radon gas levels are generally higher during winter, sometimes the summer can have higher indoor radon levels.

How do you know if you have been exposed to radon?

If you think you’ve been exposed Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you’ve been exposed to high levels of radon, it’s very important to quit smoking.