What natural occurrence can contribute to falling barometric pressure, affecting radon levels?

Falling barometric pressure is commonly associated with storm systems, which can lead to increased radon levels in buildings. When a storm is approaching, the drop in atmospheric pressure can cause the air pressure inside a home or building to decrease. This pressure differential can allow radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that emanates from soil and rock, to migrate more readily into indoor spaces.

Radon can enter through cracks in floors, walls, and foundations, and during storms, the combination of heavy rainfall and wind can create conditions that enhance the movement of radon gas from the ground into buildings. Additionally, as storm systems produce heavy precipitation and strong winds, the soil becomes saturated, which can further increase the transport of radon gas from the ground into indoor air.

In contrast, while high winds and heat waves can influence environmental conditions, they do not create the same pressure changes or soil saturation effects that storms do. Cold fronts may also cause shifts in pressure, but they are typically associated with less dramatic weather changes compared to storms, making storms the most direct contributor to the falling barometric pressure that enhances radon infiltration.