Certain gases in the atmosphere can be dangerous to you and your family at times. Imagine that such gases are usually present in industrial regions, areas with a lot of traffic, and so on.
But, some of the gases could be present in your home, posing a health risk to your family? Radon is one of these gases.
Some say that ceiling fans can reduce radon, which we will know in this article. But first, let us know what radon is.
What is Radon?
It is the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, and the earth produces. Radon is also a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Radioactive gas is one of the most common causes of lung cancer in the United States.
Radon escapes the soil and dissipates in the open air, where it is harmless. Unfortunately, you can get radon exposure into homes through foundations as well. When radon is a trap within a home, it can build up to deadly levels. Radon can be found in any home, anywhere in the United States. (Learn Can A Gas Stove Explode)
When the Time Radon Is the Highest?
Radon levels change throughout the year due to a variety of variables. The season could be one of these factors. As a result, radon levels in our homes are highest in the winter when it comes to seasons. This is because of a variety of factors, including:
- During the winter, doors and windows are frequently shut. As a result, rather than being released, radon accumulates. As a result, radon levels rise.
- When the earth is covered in snow, radon may be unable to seep through and escape. As a result, it may escape from our homes’ undergrounds, causing a rise in the levels.
It’s important to remember that radon levels don’t have to be high solely in the winter. They may also be elevated during the warmer months due to certain situations.
If you’re concerned about radon levels in your home, you should consider having a radon test and a radon mitigation system.
Do Ceiling Fans Reduce Radon?
Ceiling fans reduce radon levels in the home by half. Ceiling fans can reduce radon levels by 90%. Especially when used in conjunction with positive ion generators. This is done through a process named plate-out, which involves the neutralization of radioactive particles.
These are inexpensive to install and can be done by the homeowner. The fan moves the radon closer to the walls and furnishings, where it attaches and no longer needs to be breathed in. The radon daughters have connected to other surfaces. So, they can no longer plate-out or release the charge.
What Type of Ceiling Fan Can Reduce Radon?
A Casablanca-style ceiling fan, in particular, can reduce radon levels by up to 95%. These fans are frequently used in conjunction with a positive ion generator. The fan should be turned on all the time and positioned in the center of the room.
It should be large enough to allow air to circulate freely. Some homes choose a fan with an ion generator or a radon reduction system to cut radon gas by 80%. A ceiling fan can be used alone to reduce radon gas by 50% without a positive ion generator.
Make sure you have an idea about what you are getting into when you buy a ceiling fan for your home. If you suffer from sinus problems, you should look into whether ceiling fans can make them worse.
How Do Ceiling Fans Help to Reduce Radon Levels?
Sub-slab-depressurization is the most general radon mitigation approach. It is radon gas that evacuates from beneath the house even before it enters the house. This is the way that the EPA recommends (Environmental Protection Agency). The installation of this system might cost up to $1500. But, there are also less expensive options, one of which is ceiling fans.
To understand how a ceiling fan lowers radon levels. You must first understand how radon affects your lungs. The radioactive nuclides released during radon gas disintegration are the villain here. Not the gas itself. Radon has approximately 3.8 days of half-life. This means that half of the gas will disintegrate at that time.
When radon decays, it creates radon daughters, which are a group of radioactive elements. Within minutes, these radon daughters decompose and emit radiation quicker than radon. The lining of the lung cells is harmed when these daughter particles are inhaled and disintegrate inside the lungs, leading to cancer.
Unlike radon, radon daughters cling to duct particles, room walls, furniture, and other surfaces. It is, in the same way, they stick to the lungs when inhaled. Because it is bonded to dust particles and other portions of the room, preventing these particles from being inhaled, which lowers the amount of radiation that reaches the lungs.
A ceiling fan lowers radon levels by circulating radon daughters across the room and allowing them to cling to more surfaces and lessen their chances of being breathed. The unattached radon particles they connect to be inhaled have a 3% probability of sticking in the lungs. Compared to a 50% likelihood for unattached radon daughters.
The Usefulness of Ceiling Fans
Is it possible to keep our home safe from radon by utilizing ceiling fans? In the habitable portions of most homes, ceiling fans are installed.
To lessen the risk of radon, you don’t have to operate the fans all the time. You must only do so when you are in the room. Your lungs will not be exposed to high radiation levels since the radiation from radon-daughter particles is short-lived.
Compared to depressurization equipment sold by radon firms, ceiling fans are more cost-effective to lower radon levels. It is important to remember that having lung cancer is caused by long-term exposure to radon. Inhaling radon while walking down the hall will not cause it before constructing a pricey mitigation system. Try using ceiling fans and checking for radon levels.
Opening Windows Along with Ceiling Fans Can Reduce Radon
The importance of ventilation in lowering radon levels cannot be overstated. Open many windows on the lowest level of your home, which is closest to the soil and source of radon, whenever possible.
Even a slight gap allows fresh air to flow in, reducing radon levels in the air. You can also open windows on the higher levels to allow air to circulate throughout the area.
Exhaust fans raise radon levels, so avoid them. Because the air pressure inside your house is lower than outside, radon is drawn in like a vacuum.
Exhaust fans reduce air pressure even more, so using them raises the radon content in the air. If you must use an exhaust fan, you should also open many windows in your house or business.
Radon is a dangerous radioactive gas found in most homes at low levels that are not harmful. Yet, it can be hazardous. It is also the leading cause of lung cancer.
If you’re worried about the radon levels in your house. You must hire an expert to conduct a radon test for you. In the meantime, try installing a ceiling fan to help disperse radon particles in the air. (Read Do I Need Cross Bars For A Roof Rack)
Ceiling fans are a cost-effective and straightforward way to lower radon levels in a home. Ceiling fans not only help to reduce radon levels. But also aid in minimizing the expense of cooling a home during the summer.
They circulate the air, preventing rooms from becoming stuffy. Ceiling fans are appealing as well as functional, and they add to the decor of a home. Consider adding a ceiling fan to reduce radon levels. But after your home has been tested for radon and excessive levels have been identified.
