Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that leaks from ground and rock formations that have significant uranium content. It may also seep into a structure through dirt floors, drains, sumps, joints, pores on block walls and cracks in foundations. Although it usually enters a house through basement and lower floors, the gas circulates through the entire structure.

Radon is dangerous because exposure of the lungs to the small amounts of radiation in radon may create, over many years, an increased risk of lung cancer. Many Columbia residents have become concerned about radon since it is a problem in other nearby areas of the state and has attracted considerable attention on the northeast. Columbia/Boone County is not part of the geologic area where many of the homes with high levels were found, but cases do seem to appear without reason.

Today's building techniques can control the three aspects of how radon gets into a structure. The main goals are to minimize entry of soil gas, maintain neutral pressure and incorporate features of radon removal.

The first task when planning a new house is to find out the incidence of radon problems in the area. The one must decide which of the following techniques to incorporate when building a new structure. Builders can install a vapor barrier under the concrete slab or the foundation. They can also construct the slab to minimize cracking and seal any penetrations through which the radon could seek. Next, an attempt must be made to maintain neutral pressure so that the house is ventilated. Suggestions include having an external air supply for such combustion equipment as furnaces and building a crawl space that will permit ventilation.

If, in the future, radon should become a problem , provide for its removal by installing piping ventilation under the slab. There are tests available at some cost. For information on home radon testing, pamphlets and health risks, call the Columbia/Boone County Health Department at 874-7346 (voice.)