Handy project and write-up from Mike520 up on Instructables.
Radon comes naturally from rocks and soil underneath our homes across the United States and the European Union. It is always around us an odorless, tasteless, and invisible radioactive gas. Radon is problematic because it leaks into our homes through cracks or gaps and builds up to higher levels. When you breathe radon gas the radioactive particles can get trapped in your lungs and cause cancer. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon kills more than 21,000 people in the US each year and over 20,000 per year in the EU. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), radon is the leading cause of non-smoker lung cancer. Both old and new homes can have radon problems. Many homes require active radon mitigation systems usually involving sub-slab or crawl space depressurization. This involves a low-wattage (50W) fan that operates quietly and hopefully continuously to reduce the radon levels. The fan is often hidden in an attic, basement, or even outside the house where if the quiet and out of sight fan fails, the occupants will be exposed to radioactive radon. More information is available from the CDC, EPA, state, and local governments including regional maps.
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