Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

Types of Soil With Radon

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of 张' Nicolas Chang

Radon is one of the most deadly substances on Earth, and is much more common in homes than most people believe. Radon usually comes from soil and then enters the home. You can prevent this toxin build-up with simple, noninvasive equipment.

Identification

Radon does not naturally occur in soil in measurable quantities, but comes from the breakdown of uranium, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Types

Almost all types of soil contain some radon. Soil forms in part from rocks and sediment, which may contain uranium. Once uranium breaks down in the soil radon gas leaches into the environment.

Effects

Any type of soil that contains radon can release the gas into the home through cracks and passages into the home. Radon from soil can even contaminate drinking water.

Significance

About one-third of all homes have radon gas levels above the recommended limit of 4 Picocuries per liter, usually from soil, according to EPA statistics. Radon gas leads to more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, according to the EPA and Surgeon General.

  • Radon does not naturally occur in soil in measurable quantities, but comes from the breakdown of uranium, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Prevention/Solution

The most popular method to reduce radon from all types of soil is the "soil suction radon reduction system," which sucks up radon gas that collects below the house and vents it into the air

Related Articles

Soil Pollution Types
Soil Pollution Types
Properties of Alluvial Soils
Properties of Alluvial Soils
Three Types of Soil Particles in Order From Smallest to Largest
Three Types of Soil Particles in Order From Smallest...
What Parts Do Non-Vascular Plants Have?
What Parts Do Non-Vascular Plants Have?
Types of Soil Bacteria
Types of Soil Bacteria
Too Much Magnesium for Plants
Too Much Magnesium for Plants
3 Main Types of Soil
3 Main Types of Soil
Types of Soil in the U.S.
Types of Soil in the U.S.
The Effects of Smog on Plants
The Effects of Smog on Plants
Canadian Soil Types
Canadian Soil Types
Porosity of Different Types of Soils
Porosity of Different Types of Soils
Types of Soil in Ontario
Types of Soil in Ontario
Buffering Capacity of Soils
Buffering Capacity of Soils
Components of Topsoil
Components of Topsoil
Garden Guides
×