There’s no doubt that radon gas is a carcinogen; if present in your house, it puts you at risk of lung cancer. It’s advisable to perform a radon test, and if positive, start mitigation immediately. There are several techniques used to mitigate this radioactive gas, air purifiers being among them. However, air purifiers have caused mixed reactions concerning their effectiveness.
So, do air purifiers help with radon? Yes. Air purifiers help a great deal in fighting radon gas. However, not all of them are designed to eliminate this lethal gas from the air. You have to be careful when buying one for your home. Go for air purifiers with activated carbon filters; they effectively reduce radon levels in the air.
There is no precise “safe level” of radon gas; therefore, homeowners should ensure its concentration is minimum. This article discusses all about radon gas, its main cause, symptoms, and mitigation measures. Keep reading to find out more.
What Is Radon And How Dangerous It Is?
Radon is a radioactive natural gas that occurs when thorium, radium, and uranium break down in rock, soil, and water; then released into the air. Radon gas is invisible and odorless but very dangerous. It cannot be detected unless tested. Since you can hardly detect Radon gas, it isn’t easy to know when you inhale. Studies have proven that this radioactive gas causes lung cancer and other respiratory complications.
Air purifiers are essential for daily use; however, radon reduction systems are ideal for long-term treatment.
What Is The Main Cause Of Radon Problems In The Home?
As aforementioned, radon gas comes from the natural decomposition of uranium present in the soil almost everywhere. Radon gas produced from the soil is the main cause of radon problems in the home. When this gas is produced, your house traps it inside, leaving you exposed and inhaling this dangerous carcinogenic gas.
What Are The Symptoms Of Radon In The House?
While there are no specific symptoms for radon gas exposure, frequent fatigue and chronic lung problems could possibly mean there is the presence of radon gas in the house. Prolonged exposure to high levels of radon gas increases the chances of lung cancer. This happens over time.
Other symptoms and diseases that are likely to develop almost immediately include: wheezing, hoarseness, respiratory lesions, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, persistent cough with blood, silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis, loss of appetite, emphysema, chronic interstitial pneumonia, frequent infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
It isn’t easy to detect radon gas unless tested by a professional since it’s odorless and colorless.
Does Air Purifier Help With Radon?
Air purifiers are great for cleaning the air around. They work-absorbing dust particles, allergens, chemical gasses, and other pollutants from the air, trapping them in filters and releasing clean air back into the room. Not all air purifiers can eliminate radon gas from the air; you’ll need an air purifier for radon reduction. These air purifiers contain high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and activated carbon filters.
Air purifiers suck in air in your house, forcing it through a series of filters, as shown above. Each filter traps different pollutants until the air is cleaned and healthy to be released back into the room. Remember, while air purifiers will clean the air for you, they will not stop the continuous leak; you’ll eventually need to address the main cause of the problem.
Here is a chart showing types of air purifiers good for radon gas:
| Product | Features | Price |
| Alen BreatheSmart Air Purifier |
|
$700 |
| Airpura T600 Air Purifier |
|
$800 |
| IQAir Medical Grade Air Purifier |
|
$1,299 |
What Are Other Types of Radon Reduction Methods?
There are several radon reduction methods; some reduce radon gas levels by up to 98 percent. Most radon reduction systems can be fixed for approximately the same cost as home repair. However, it may vary depending on design, size and method needed. Below are some other types of radon reduction methods:
Room or House Pressurization
This method involves using a fan to blow air into the lowest point of the room or house, e.g., the basement. This creates sufficient pressure to prevent radon gas from getting into the house. The effectiveness of this method is often restricted by factors such as climate, house construction, occupant lifestyle, and appliances used in the house.
To maintain adequate pressure to keep radon gas out, do not open windows and doors at the lowest level of the house. This method generally introduces more fresh outdoor air into the house.
Sealing
While sealing might not be a stand-alone technique, it boosts the effectiveness of other radon gas reduction methods. Sealing cracks and openings on the floor and walls of the house is part of most radon mitigation methods. It reduces the flow of radon gas into the house, making other mitigation measures cost-efficient and more effective.
Sealing also limits the loss of purified air. We do not recommend using the sealing method alone to mitigate radon gas since it has not proved to reduce radon levels consistently or significantly. Radon gas is colorless and odorless; it is hard to detect and completely seal openings through which radon gas enters the house.
Heat Recovery Ventilator
Heat recovery ventilators (HVR) are often installed in houses to facilitate ventilation. It is sometimes referred to as an air-to-air heat exchanger. It works by forcing out heated air and allowing in fresh outdoor air. Even though this method is effective, it is mostly used for basements. If well balanced, it guarantees constant ventilation and a low radon level throughout the year.
Natural Ventilation
Natural ventilation is the most common radon gas mitigation technique in most homes. By opening doors, windows, and other vents, you increase fresh air circulation into the room. This helps reduce radon gas levels. However, if you close the ventilation, radon gas concentration returns to the initial level within approximately 12 hours.
Final Thoughts
Radon gas cannot be detected unless tested; due to the great health risk this gas poses, it is prudent to perform a test in your home and begin mitigation as soon as possible. If you have read through this article, you are aware of how significant the radon gas mitigation process is for healthy living.
We have explained some radon reduction methods above; however, if you decide to go with the air purifier, ensure you opt for those with true HEPA and activated carbon filters. Keep in mind that radon gas molecules might be present in water; thus, water treatment is also crucial.
We hope you found this article informative. Consult a radon gas specialist for info on the reduction methods worth considering.
