Radon Gas

Radon is a known Killer. It is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the number two cause of lung cancer among smokers.  Radon gas is colorless, odorless and undetectable by the average human. Testing is the only way to know if the levels are average or high. In this area we are aware of levels as high as 139 picocuries curies per liter. In some areas the local radon office reports 1 in 4 homes with levels above 4 PCi/L.

Radon gas - even the name sounds ominous, radon is created when uranium in the soil decays. The gas  seeps through any access point into a home. Common entry points are cracks in the foundation, poorly sealed pipes, drainage or any other loose point. 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 U.S. Government has set a threshold of 4 picocuries per liter of air as the safe level. As humans are exposed to the gas over a period of years, it can have significant, and detrimental effects.

How widespread is the problem? Radon has been found in homes in all 50 states. Certain areas are more susceptible than others (http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html).   Concentrations of radon-causing materials in the soil can be either natural or manmade. Homes built near historic mining operations may be at higher risk. The only way to tell for sure is to have your home tested.

Testing for radon comes in two forms: active and passive. Active devises constantly measure the levels of radon in a portion of your home and display those results.

Passive devices collect samples over a period of time and then are taken away and analyzed. Either method can help you determine your level of risk. Do-it-yourself kits are available from a number of outlets, normally with passive devices. Over a period of days, the device is left in the lowest level of the home which is normally occupied. This eliminates crawl spaces under the house, but includes finished or unfinished basements. Then the results are analyzed by a professional. The other option is to engage a qualified professional to conduct the tests properly. The EPA web site (http://www.epa.gov/radon/manufact.htm) provides information on finding an appropriate resources and testing devices. Professional tests usually yield faster results and are conducted by trained individuals.

Radon Mitigation

If high concentrations of radon are found in your home, you have several options. Since radon is only a problem when it is concentrated in high volume, improving the ventilation in an area is often sufficient to solve the problem. In other cases, it may be necessary to limit the amount of radon seeping into the home by sealing or otherwise obstructing the access points. Once again, a professional should be engaged to ensure the radon is effectively blocked. Typical radon mitigation systems can cost between $800 and $2500, according to the EPA.  Call us for a free bid today.

If you're buying or selling a home, radon can be a significant issue. Buyers should be aware of the radon risk in their area and determine whether a radon test is needed. When in doubt, the EPA always recommends testing. The cost of the test can be built into the house price. If test results already exist, make sure they are recent or that the home has not been significantly renovated since the test was performed. If in doubt, get a new test done. If your selling a home, having a recent radon test is a great idea. By being proactive, you can assure potential buyers is no risk and avoid the issue from the start.

So whether you have an old home or a new one, live in an old mining town or in the middle of the Great Plains, radon is a reality. But it is a reality that we can live with. Proper testing and mitigation, can eliminate radon as a health threat. For more information, visit the EPA web site on radon at http://www.epa.gov/radon.

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EPA  Standards
14.2.8
"To prevent re-entrainment of radon, the point of discharge from vents of fan-powered soil depressurization and block wall depressurization systems shall meet all of the following requirements: (1) be above the eave of the roof, (2) be ten feet or more above ground level, (3) be ten feet or more from any window, door, or other opening into conditioned spaces of the structure that is less than two feet below the exhaust point, and (4) be ten feet or more from any opening into an adjacent building. The total distance (ten feet) from the point of discharge to openings in the structure may be measured either directly between the two points or  be the sum of measurements made around intervening obstacles. Whenever possible, the exhaust should be positioned above the highest eave of the building and as close to the roof ridge line as possible."

- Radon Mitigation Technology Course



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