People are really concerned about a green future, so they are rapidly rethinking their lifestyle choices. In this regard, manufacturers are competing to provide the best electronic appliances that produce minimum indoor gases. However, sometimes, the inert and radioactive gases remain active inside your house, potentially damaging your health.
Radon is a noble gas that is more common in a household than you may think. Though inert, Radon remains active in the house and gradually decays to damage the inner linings of your lungs. So, most people often ask, do air purifiers help with radon gas? The answer is yes; this article will guide you through the steps in which an air purifier can help you get rid of the radon and other similar gases from your house.
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What is radon?
Radium is a naturally occurring element often found in solid form. Usually, it is found in rocks, minerals, air, and water. The element gradually decays over time into radon gas, an inert radioactive gas that keeps on decaying into alpha particles. Moreover, radon gas is also produced by some human activities and machines that are twice as reactive.
Radon gas is now on the watchlist of every environmentalist organization in the world. The major problem is that it is impossible to detect radon before it starts dealing damage to your health. Furthermore, the element can find its way into your household through normal daily-use items.
For example, mattress manufacturers use various minerals in the production process. These minerals often contain radium or radon as an impurity that doesn’t show its presence. Similarly, construction materials can also contain some percentage of radium or radon that stays within the walls, slowly decaying.
Health risks of radon gas:
According to the EPA (the United States Environmental Protection Agency), there is no safe radon level in an enclosed space. However, it is recommended to hire a radon specialist if the radon level reaches 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). Studies show that excessive exposure to radon radiation can permanently damage the inner linings of your lungs or, worse, lead to lung cancer. Furthermore, radon particles are responsible for over 21.000 deaths in the US alone.
Secondly, modern HVAC systems trap the indoor air without improving its quality. So, keeping your house ventilated in such buildings can be very challenging. As a result, the indoor radon exposure levels can rise up to 48 Bq/m3, whereas the exposure levels drop to just 15 Bq/m3 in outdoor conditions. Even in a properly ventilated house, you are at a 0.45% risk of getting lung cancer due to radon radiation exposure.
The best way to prevent radon damage is to live in a well-ventilated area. If you notice any symptoms related to radon exposure, the first thing you must do is hire a radon expert. Let him detect the radon levels and discard any items that are producing the radon gas. Next, make it your routine to keep the doors, windows, and other ventilators open whether you are in the house. Lastly, use an air purifier in the house to remove any radon particles present in your house.
How do air purifiers help with radon?
Radon radiation is unlike any other air pollutant that you can capture with an air purifier. The alpha particles are charged ions that remain unaffected by almost all air purifier filters. Fortunately, some brands produce special air purifiers with an H13 HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and electronic ionizer these might be able to make some difference. Do also read out an article about air purifiers for radon
HEPA filter:
The mesh of the HEPA filter is so small that it can capture up to 0.03-micron particles without any exceptions. The efficiency of these filters is up to 99.97%, as confirmed by EPA and other authorities. However, some smaller particles can even escape the tiny holes of the HEPA. The main reason is that radon gas molecules can be as small as 0.5-3 nm, and HEPA can’t filter out at such levels.
Ionizer:
In this regard, an ionizer can help you remove the charged particles from the air. The ionizer produces a special electrical pulse that charges the neutral particles, converts VOCs into ions, and attracts the charged particles. So, when air passes between the electric plates, the charged alpha particles from radon gas get attracted to the plate. Furthermore, some air purifiers even use both these filters for an extra layer of protection. In short, an air purifier is your best shot at remaining safe from the hazards of radon gas.
Activated carbon filter:
Activated carbon filters contain special chemicals that act as a magnet for gases, volatile organic compounds, and fumes. When radon molecules pass over the activated carbon filter, the carbon-catching chemicals attract them. These molecules settle in the filter and remain stable until you replace it with a new one. However, the molecules keep sticking to the filter, which can be hazardous to the environment. Therefore, it is recommended to properly dispose of the old filter as prescribed by the manufacturer after every replacement.
Tips to reduce radon gas:
As mentioned before, radon gas is a naturally occurring element. However, it doesn’t mean that there is no way to prevent your household from exposure. If you don’t want the potential health hazards of radon gas, you can use these remedies in your house:
Ventilation:
The key to preventing radon exposure is proper ventilation. Open windows, ventilators, and doors in the house keep the air in circulation. Moreover, it also prevents radon gas molecules from settling inside your house. Furthermore, ventilation can also improve your lifestyle by offering a fresh oxygen supply all the time. However, ventilation in an enclosed building due to internal AC and HVAC systems can be difficult these days.
Sealed surface cracks:
Radon is present in construction material as it is an impurity in most rocks and minerals. The impurity keeps decaying inside the walls till cracks appear. The alpha particles and radon gas then leak from these cracks and spread to the whole building. Therefore, it is best to quickly seal off any cracks that appear in your walls and floors.
Choose an air purifier
Air purifiers have become extremely popular in recent years. However, with so many different variations on the market, it can be difficult to pick the right unit for your home. Click on this link and I’ll walk you through how to choose an air purifier. I’ll also look at some of the pros and cons of each type of air purifier. Click on the link to learn more!
FAQs:
What are the symptoms of radon exposure?
There are no specific instant symptoms of radon exposure. However, it can cause respiratory disorders, fatigue, loss of appetite, and chronic lung problems with the passage of time. Furthermore, constant colds, coughing with blood, and infections can also point to radon exposure.
How to test for radon gas?
There are two ways to test your house for radon gas. Firstly, you can hire a professional to detect the levels of radon accumulation in the air and the cause of radon production. Secondly, you can use the common radon detection kits widely available in the local markets. Simply place the kit in an open area, away from the walls, and it will give you the reading.
Which air purifier is best for radon gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas that emits alpha particles on decaying. Therefore, it is best to use an air purifier with an H13 HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and ionizing chamber to remove radon and alpha radiation from the air.
Conclusion:
Radon is the gas form of the radioactive material radium. Usually, radium is found as an impurity in rocks, minerals, air, and water. So, it is likely to find its way into your home through the daily usage of things like mattresses and construction materials. Moreover, prolonged exposure to radon gas can cause permanent damage to the inner lining of the lungs, cough with blood, fatigue, and lung cancer. The best way to remain safe from radon is to live in a ventilated area and use an air purifier.
