How Maine’s Frozen Ground and Snowpack Increase Radon Levels

During the winter, temperatures in Maine drop below zero, leaving the surroundings covered in ice and frost. These weather conditions can be quite fun, but under them lies an invisible threat, radon gas. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is odorless. It can be dangerous and is, in fact, the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the US. Let’s understand how frozen ground and snowpack cause radon levels to rise in Maine homes in winter.

What Is Radon and Why Should You Care?

Radon forms naturally under the ground as uranium breaks down in soil and rocks. The gas then releases, traveling through tiny cracks in the soil, entering buildings, basements, and crawl spaces. In Maine, radon is a huge public health concern, and regular exposure to this odorless gas can increase the chances of lung cancer. In fact, studies have shown that 37% homes here have radon levels at or above the EPA’s recommended action level. 

How Frozen Ground Impacts Radon Movement

In winter, the ground in Maine freezes, at times to several feet below the surface. The frozen soil then acts like a barrier, preventing radon gas from escaping directly into the air. During the rest of the year, when the ground isn’t frozen, this natural gas moves up from the soil, releasing into the atmosphere harmlessly. However, when the ground freezes, this outward movement gets restricted, forcing radon to find other pathways to escape, such as through basements and foundation cracks in homes. 

Cold temperatures also cause the stack effect. As warm air rises and escapes from the house, it creates negative pressure buildup at the foundation level. This negative pressure then creates a kind of vacuum, drawing in more air along with radon from the soil. This phenomenon worsens when doors and windows are kept closed to maintain indoor heat.

The Role of Snowpack in Trapping Radon

When snow accumulates, it covers the surface-level soil, creating a similar situation to that of frozen ground. Thick snowpack reduces gas exchange between the soil and the atmosphere. While it may seem like a barrier would help block radon, it doesn’t. The radon, which is trapped beneath the snow, looks for alternative routes and often makes its way through cracks in the home’s foundations and floors.

Why Radon Levels Usually Rise in Winter

The combination of these elements causes radon levels to be considerably higher in winter than they are during the rest of the year.

Frozen soil acts as a barrier, restricting the escape of natural gas.

Snowpack seals the ground, trapping radon gas underneath.

Indoor heating and closed homes increase negative pressure at the foundation level, causing more radon gas to enter the homes.

While you can’t prevent the ground from freezing and snow from accumulating, you can adopt radon mitigation measures to lower radon levels indoors. Get in touch with Air & Water Quality for radon treatment in Brunswick, Maine, and create a safer, healthier indoor environment.