Radon is an invisible and odorless radioactive gas that occurs naturally from decaying uranium underneath the earth’s surface. Although you cannot see, smell, or taste radon, it is there and may be a problem in your home or office. Radon gas rises through the soil and seeps through cracks, holes, and drain pipes in the foundation or basement of your home and office. Radon gas can be found all over the United States and according to the EPA, 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States has high levels of radon gas. Radon gas can also enter your home or office through your water supply. When the ground water, which supplies your home or office, passes through uranium deposits, the radon dissolves into the water. This causes the water to become radioactive, and radon contaminated.

When water-containing radon is used for activities such as showers, baths, clothes washing, dish washing or cooking, the radon in the water is released and inhaled. Radon gas contains radioactive particles, which get trapped in your lungs. As the radon gas particles break down, they release bursts of radiation that damage or destroy your lung tissue, which causes lung cancer, and long-term exposure may even cause death. In fact, the EPA has estimated that there are between 5,000 and 30,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths each year and that radon gas in the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon in water can be reduced using one of two methods: aeration treatment or granular activated charcoal.