Radon gas breaks down or decays to form radioactive elements that can be taken into the lungs. Exposure to high levels of radon in indoor air can increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
Radon can enter a home any place it finds an opening where the house contacts the soil: walls and in floor slabs, window casements, floor drains, even though the water system.
The below infographic by Mold Busters explains about Radon gas and its control at your homes.
There are several ways you can reduce radon in new houses:
- Use highly resistant concrete
- Add plasticizer to the concrete
- Install a polyethylene membrane under the concrete
- Install a balanced ventilation system
All of these precautions should be taken at the time of construction and not afterward.