Imagine unknowingly inhaling radioactive gasses until it’s too late? Radon is one of the rarest natural and toxic gas on earth. Most people fear this radioactive gas but do not take precautions because of its insidious nature. To fight this lethal gas, you might have to consider buying an air purifier. However, the question is:
Do air purifiers help with Radon Gas? Yes. While air purifiers are great for dust, mold, bacteria, viruses, odors and allergens, they can also help eliminate chemicals, toxins, and gasses such as radon. Keep in mind that only air purifiers with activated carbon filters can clear Radon gas.
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into Radon gas, factors to consider when buying an air purifier for radon gas, and answer a few of your frequently asked questions. Keep reading to find out more.
What is Radon Gas?
Radon is a radioactive natural gas that occurs when thorium, radium and uranium break down in rock, soil and water; then released into the air. Radon gas is invisible and odorless but very dangerous. It cannot be detected unless tested. It is a major cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
Since you can hardly detect Radon gas, it isn’t easy to know when you inhale. Taking precautions and safety procedures can go a long way in fighting this lethal gas. Air purifiers are essential for daily use; however, radon reduction systems are ideal for long-term treatment.
Side Effects of Radon Gas
Prolonged exposure to high levels of radon gas increases the chances of lung cancer. This happens over time. However, there are other symptoms and diseases that are likely to develop almost immediately. They include:
Fatigue, persistent cough with blood, silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis, loss of appetite, wheezing, hoarseness, respiratory lesions, chest pain, difficulty breathing, weight loss, emphysema, chronic interstitial pneumonia, frequent infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Do Air Purifiers Help With Radon Gas?
Air purifiers clean the air by absorbing pollutants from the air through filters, then releasing clean air into the room. As a result, all the toxic contaminants and allergens, including radon gas, that was initially floating in the air will be trapped by the filters.
Not all air purifiers can clean out radon gas from the air; only those with HEPA and activated carbon filters do. Remember, air purifiers will clean the air for you but will not stop the continuous leak; you’ll need to address the main cause of the problem.
Choosing the Right Air Purifier for Radon Gas
Today, air purifiers have become a necessity due to increased pollution of the environment. The primary function of these devices is to suck in contaminated air, let it pass through multiple filters to eliminate toxins, dust particles, bacteria and viruses, and then pass out clean air. When looking for an air purifier for radon gas, here are some factors you need to consider:
1. Type of Filter
The type of filters an air purifier has plays a critical role in removing radon gas. Usually, there are a series of filters, a pre-filter that traps large particles before going through other filters.
Opt for an air purifier with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters when fighting radon gas. These types of filters can eliminate maximum microscopic allergens, pollutants and toxins. Activated carbon filters are used together with HEPA filters since they effectively clean harmful gasses and chemicals from the air.
2. Clean Air Delivery Rate
Before purchasing an air purifier for radon gas, check its CADR. Clean air delivery rate (CADR) refers to the overall speed the air purifier takes to filter the air in a given room. A higher clean air delivery rate means the air purifier is effective and works faster.
The chart below shows EPA recommendations on clean air delivery and suitable room size for effective air cleaning:
| Room Size (Square feet) | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 |
| Minimum CADR (in CFM) | 65 | 130 | 195 | 260 | 325 | 390 |
3. Air Change per Hour
Air Change per Hour (ACH) refers to the number of times the volume of air in an entire room gets filtered in an hour. If the circulation number is higher, it means the air purifier is more effective in cleaning microscopic pollutants and harmful gasses. The recommended air change per hour rating for removing radon gas is 4x or higher.
Other factors to consider include size, power consumption, filter replacement, noise level, maintenance, price, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about radon gas:
● How Does Radon Gas Get Into Houses?
Radon gas is emitted from decaying uranium in the soil. It gets into houses through openings on the floor and walls. Since it is colorless and odorless, you cannot notice until you test. If test results confirm high levels of radon gas, you need an air purifier.
● Does Proper Ventilation Reduce Radon Gas?
Yes. A well-ventilated building can help with radon gas. Opening windows for better air circulation can significantly reduce radon gas in the air. Fresh air from outside will push out contaminated radon leaving you with clean air to breathe.
● Do Activated Carbon Filters Remove Radon Gas from the Air?
Yes. Air purifiers with activated carbon filters are strongly recommended for removing radon gas from the air. It is proven and effective. Other filtration methods and filters are ineffective against toxic and chemical gasses.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, radon is a highly toxic gas that, when inhaled over a prolonged period, can cause lung cancer. Investing in a great air purifier can significantly reduce such health risks. Remember, not all filtration systems can help with radon gas; we highly recommend air purifiers that contain HEPA and activated carbon filters. This is the only sure way to know you are protected from harmful radioactive gasses.
If you have read through this article, finding an air purifier for radon gas will no longer be an overwhelming experience since you already know what you need in an air purifier. We hope you get a perfect cleaner that will help you with radon gas and breathe healthy air.