I've been hearing conflicting info about radon levels. A radon inspector tested my home back in November and mentioned that radon levels usually drop in winter and increase when it warms up. However, I've also read that colder weather can lead to higher radon levels. In my case, I've noticed my levels are going up as we head into the warmer months. They were below 2.0 pCi/L during the winter, but now I'm at a 1-day average of 3.37 and a 7-day average of 2.67 in the basement. I live in the Midwest, and I'm trying to understand what's going on here.
3 Answers
During the heating season, people tend to keep their windows closed, which can create suction in the house. This vacuum effect pulls gases like radon from the basement up into your living space. In spring, rain can force gases up from the soil, temporarily increasing radon levels. If your basement has a concrete floor, consider a sub-slab suction system. If it’s a dirt floor, ventilation might be the better route. The levels you’re seeing are relatively mild; if you don’t spend much time down there, I wouldn’t stress too much. But if those readings are from your main living area, mitigation might be a good idea.
From my experience, radon levels can spike during the rainy seasons. In the winter, my levels would hit around 4 pCi/L, but after installing a radon mitigation system for about $1,300, my levels are now below 0.3 pCi/L. In the Midwest, radon is a common issue due to the bedrock, so it's definitely worth getting a mitigation system in place to keep those levels in check!
Honestly, your levels are quite low, and slight changes in airflow can affect test results. The radon fear is often exaggerated, so I wouldn't rush into more testing or spending unnecessarily. Just keep an eye on it, but it's probably not a huge deal.
I get your point, but from my experience working in a nuclear plant and studying radiation, I found radon to be a bigger concern than sitting in front of a reactor for hours. Just saying it’s worth paying attention to!