Why can Radon levels vary between different houses?

Radon levels can vary significantly between different houses primarily due to house-to-house variations in geological factors. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the underlying soil and rock. The amount of radon present in the ground is influenced by the geological characteristics of the area, such as the type of rock, soil composition, and the presence of uranium.

In some locations, geological formations may contain higher levels of uranium, leading to increased radon emissions. Additionally, variations in the permeability of the soil and rock can affect how easily radon gas moves through the ground and into buildings. As a result, even homes that are relatively close to each other can have vastly different radon levels based on these geological differences.

While other factors like the size of windows, the number of residents, or the type of exterior paint might influence indoor air quality in general, they do not have a substantial impact on radon levels compared to the geological factors that predominantly dictate radon presence in the home.