Not many people really understand what Radon is, they just hear about radon testing, mostly in conjunction with buying or selling a home. Most don't know that not only is Radon colorless, odorless and undetectable by your average human, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States!
What is Radon Gas? Radon gas is created when uranium in the soil decays. The gas then seeps through any access point into a home. The most common entry points are cracks in the foundation, poorly sealed pipes, drainage or any other crack or split. Once in the home, the gas can collect in certain areas - especially basements and other low-lying, closed areas - and build up over time to dangerous levels. The Environmental Protection Agency of the US Government has set a threshold of 4 pico curies per liter as the safe level. Exposure to the gas over a period of years can cause significant and detrimental effects on humans.
Could there be Radon in my home or the home I am considering purchasing? Yes, there could be - Radon has been found in homes in all 50 states. Certain areas seem to have higher concentrations of Radon and homes in those locations are more susceptible to build up - check for yourself by clicing on this link, it's the government's zone map for Radon concentration: http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html - but do not forget that no location is immune. The only way to tell for sure is to have a home tested.
There are two different types of tests for Radon, active and passive. Active tests constantly monitor the air and display the readings while Passive tests collect samples over a period of time and then are sent away and analyzed. Either method can tell you if you have Radon, you can even purchase do-it-youself kits in most hardware stores. These do-it-yourself tests are placed in the lowest spot occupied in your home (usually basement), left for several days undisturbed and then sent away for analysis by a professioinal. Crawl Spaces should not be used for testing, but the basement is fine whether finished or unfinished.
You can have the test done by a professional, again, the epa website is a great place to find information on resources and testing devices: http://www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html
So, you've had tests done - now what? If concentrations of Radon gas are present, often times just improving the ventilation is all it takes - sometimes it takes more - sealing off the suspected source or sources, installing Radon mitigation devices. In any case, you should always consult a professional before you make any decisions to treat this potentially danagerous situation yourself.
Radon Mitigation typically cost between $750-$2500.
So, do yourself a favor - if you are considering buying or selling a home, have it tested! If you live in a home that has never been tested, do it - Getting rid of the second leading source of Lung Cancer from you home is not a bad idea!
Hope this has proven to be informative and of interest - again, questions, comments or suggestions are appreciated!
BE INFORMED and CHECK BACK HERE OFTEN
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