Are you building a new house in Wyoming? Be sure to educate yourself about the dangers of radon! Radon is a common, naturally occurring gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. Because uranium is a radioactive material, radon also emits radiation. Many sources of radiation, such as radios in cars and microwave ovens in kitchens, pose no risk to human health. However, radon is particularly dangerous because it causes lung cancer. In fact, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Individuals who smoke and live in a home or office with elevated radon levels are at greatest risk of developing lung cancer.

Radon in Wyoming

Concentrations of radon tend to differ greatly between countries, states and even counties in the same state. Wyoming is a Zone 1 area on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Radon Zone Map, which means structures built in the Cowboy State have a high probability of elevated indoor radon levels.

Studies have shown that 33% of the homes tested in Wyoming have an elevated level of 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher. According to test results gathered by the Wyoming Department of Health, here are the average radon test results for Wyoming homes by county:

Symptoms & Testing

When radon passes through the soil into outside air, it dissipates harmlessly into the atmosphere. On the other hand, if radon encounters a barrier such as a home foundation or walls, it will slowly seep through cracks and openings in the structure. Once inside, the odorless gas may linger and build up if not provided a way to escape.

Symptoms of Radon Exposure

When it dissipates into the open air, radon is not a threat to health. But when confined inside a structure with no way to disperse, it becomes a danger. Over many years, exposure to radon can result in a variety of symptoms and respiratory ailments.

• Persistent coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarse voice
• Chest pain or tightness
• Frequent respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis
• Coughing up blood
• Weight loss

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon-induced lung cancer causes about 21,000 deaths in the United States each year.

Testing for Radon

Any home or business can have a radon problem. Your home can contain radon whether it is old or new construction, drafty or well-sealed, and built with or without a basement. Radon levels can even vary among individual buildings in the same neighborhood due to geology, construction techniques and ventilation methods.

Because it is odorless, colorless and tasteless, the presence of radon can only be detected using a special test. These testing options are available:

• Do-it-yourself test kit. There are two general types of radon test kits: short-term and long-term kits. When used properly, they help to determine if a radon problem exists in a home. The Wyoming Department of Health offers a free home radon test kit for Wyoming residents, while supplies last. You can also purchase a test kit at most hardware and home improvement stores for around $20. After exposure, the test kit is resealed and returned to a lab for analysis.
• Professional radon testing. If you want highly accurate results to support a real estate transaction or after building a new house, contact a certified radon tester. A professional will use either a passive electret test or a continuous monitoring device to detect and record radon levels. Find a radon testing professional in your area.

Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). If your test result indicates a radon level of 4.0 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends taking action to mitigate radon. 

Radon Mitigation Techniques

Opening windows may have no effect or even increase the radon level in a home. And once windows, doors and vents are closed, radon may rise to the previous level within hours, according to EPA studies. Proper radon mitigation reduces the concentration of radon gas in a home by venting it safely outside.

There are several types of radon mitigation systems:

• Sub-slab depressurization. A sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system uses a motorized fan and PVC pipe to draw radon from the rocks and soil underneath a home and vent it outdoors, where it safely dissipates.
• Sub-membrane depressurization for crawl spaces. This technique uses a special plastic membrane to cover exposed dirt in a crawl space. The membrane is then sealed to the foundation walls. Piping installed underneath the membrane draws radon to a vent and exhausts it outdoors.
• Sealing cracks. Sealing cracks, holes and other openings in a foundation may be helpful as part of the overall radon mitigation process. However, do-it-yourself painting or caulking over cracks will not significantly reduce radon levels.

Be sure to use a trained and certified company for professional radon testing and mitigation system installation. They may recommend other techniques to lower radon levels in your home.

Finished Basements & Radon

Radon will find its way inside a building whether the basement is finished or unfinished since gaps and cracks will always exist. However, if you choose to finish your basement when building a new house or at a later date, don’t be discouraged by the presence of radon. Radon mitigation techniques can be incorporated during a basement finish to make the space fully livable.

The radon level should be tested before and after any major renovation to determine whether radon mitigation techniques should be included as part of the renovation, and the effectiveness of the final installation. Note that major renovations can also change the indoor radon level.

Get More Value When Building a New House With Gateway

Here at Gateway Construction, we understand the dangers of radon and always include a passive radon mitigation system when building a new house. A passive system works to reduce radon levels by providing natural ventilation of the space under the foundation. Should an active system be needed due to a high radon test result after occupancy, conversion from passive to active is simple and affordable.  Be sure to consider the threat of radon when considering new homes for sale in Cheyenne. Gateway specializes in high-quality homes that blend beauty, function and value for our clients. We also offer full basement finishing to enhance enjoyment and value for our clients. Contact us to discuss your project by calling (307) 632-8950 or contacting us online. Let’s start building your future today