A few years ago, some of the world's leading organizations conducted testing and research on radon gas, in order to provide an authoritative idea of the threat this gas poses. The World Health Organization, Environmental Protection Agency, National Radon Defense, and Air Chek, Inc. all acknowledge that radon is a group A carcinogen. They also recommend testing and mitigation.
Background Information
Prowling around the world, this infamous gas is peering into homes around the world, wreaking havoc on homeowners. This gas goes unnoticed because it's virtually undetectable by human senses. It doesn't have a smell, color, form, or taste. This is precisely why so many people have reported living in homes their entire lives that are harboring high levels of radon, or even moderate or low levels.
Whether you live in Nebraska or India, radon is everywhere because it results from the decay of uranium in soil. During this process, polonium is released and the gas' toxicity rises through the roof.
In addition, radon is measured by picocuries per liter, pCi/L. Here are two very real and very relatable statistics about this gas.
1 pCi/L of radon is equal to 2.5 cigarettes a day. Also, 4.0 pCi/L is equal to the radiation being projected by 100 chest x-rays, when the average hospital allows only four per year for a total of.64 pCi/L. Unfortunately, the action level for radon is 4.0 pCi/L and many people don't realize the harmful effects that lower levels are still capable of having on homeowners.
Radon in Nebraska
This group A carcinogen kills about one person every 25 minutes. In Nebraska, Air Chek, Inc. has estimated that more than half of the homes that participated in a survey in 1990 registered higher levels of radon than the action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
During this period of surveying, charcoal canister detectors were placed within the basement or the lowest identified living space within the home. This is because the lowest living area is closest to the soil, where the radon is released in its greatest concentration.
Although this survey was done several years ago, we will provide you with some current radon levels in Nebraska counties later-on.
Nebraska's Statistics
This survey concluded that 54 percent of single family detached homes maintained radon levels higher than 4.0 pCi/L, which ranks Nebraska as the state with the third highest percentage in the U.S.
In addition, Nebraska averages about 5.5 pCi/L making this the fourth highest in the U.S.
The EPA separates states into three categories: high risk, moderate risk and low risk. For Nebraska, 53 of the 93 counties are at high risk for harboring levels of radon at or above 4.0 pCi/L. About 24 counties are at moderate risk and 16 counties are at low risk.
In conclusion, the eastern and northeastern parts of Nebraska are at the highest risk for having high levels of radon.
Here are eight Nebraska counties and their radon levels. Regardless of how your county ranks, each home has its own factors to be considered and even neighbors can have drastically different levels of radon on their homes. Have your home tested and mitigated today!
Nebraska County Levels
Omaha, NE; Douglas County-
4.0 pCi/L: 45%
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: 24%
2.0 pCi/L: 31%
Cass County-
4.0 pCi/L: 58%
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: 18%
2.0 pCi/L: 24%
Gage County-
4.0 pCi/L: 79%
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: 15%
2.0 pCi/L: 6%
Saunders County-
4.0 pCi/L: 54%
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: 20%
2.0 pCi/L: 25%
Thayer County-
4.0 pCi/L: 88%
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: 10%
2.0 pCi/L: 3%
Seward County-
4.0 pCi/L: 76%
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: 15%
2.0 pCi/L: 9%
Dodge County-
4.0 pCi/L: 65%
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: 19%
2.0 pCi/L: 16%
Custer County-
4.0 pCi/L: 50%
2.0-3.9 pCi/L: 23%
2.0 pCi/L: 27%
For help lowering your home's radon levels, Thrasher Basement Systems can help you whether you live in these counties or even Iowa. Contact Thrasher Basement Systems today for radon testing in Nebraska and radon mitigation in Nebraska and all surrounding areas.
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Radon in Nebraska Is A Growing Concern
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