Month: February 2018

www.epa.gov/radon/radon-schools

Smoking and Radon

Radon has been proven to cause lung cancer when long term exposure to elevated levels exists; low concentrations can add up as well. If you are a smoker, the radon risk is greater than for non-smokers. The effect of smoking causes damage to the lungs hairlike cilia and mucous linings. To reduce your risk of lung cancer, stop smoking and test your home for radioactive radon gas and fix your home if levels are elevated.

Radon Risk If You Smoke

from EPA “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon”

Radon Risk If You Have Never Smoked

 

Testing for Radon? Call a Pro or Do It Yourself

Radon, an invisible, cancer-causing, radioactive gas is not just another “thing” to take care of during a real estate transaction. For that matter, radon exists all the time all over the world…not just during real estate transactions. That being said, staying safe in our homes and workplace is imperative yet many do not know if they have elevated radon levels.

If you choose to be proactive and test your home, should you call a pro or do it yourself? The most important things to do if testing yourself is to use an EPA approved kit that is sent to an EPA approved lab and make sure placement is followed exactly per instructions for the best results. Check the expiration date and if expired, don’t use it! If the radon levels are elevated, always use a professional radon mitigator to install a system and re-test post mitigation to make sure the levels are in a safe range. Radon levels should be check every 2+/- years

During any real estate transaction, professional testing is highly recommended to assure there is no conflict of interest. Using an electronic testing process with a CRM (Continuous Radon Monitor), many of which are tamper proof, offers the most reliable results with an hour by hour breakdown of concentrations. Many pros cross-check their CRM with passive vials as a quality control.

Whether you are buying a home, have never tested for radon and have lived in your home for a period of years…whatever your situation, testing for radon gas is the ONLY way to know if you have elevated radon levels.

Test Your Home…Protect Your Family!

Should I Buy a House With Elevated Radon?

Radon is an invisible, cancer-causing, radioactive gas created during the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks and soils. It’s found in nearly all soils all over the world. It typically moves up through the ground and seeps into your home through any access point in your home. Common entry points are cracks and other holes in the foundation, drainage or sump openings or poorly sealed pipes. Your home traps radon inside, where it can accumulate. Any home can have a radon problem, not just those built on soil and rock with high geologic potential for radon release.

That being said, YES, there is no reason NOT to buy your dream home just because it has elevated radon levels IF a proper radon mitigation system is installed to reduce the radon concentrations to a safe level.

EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L however the EPA has concern between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L. The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends fixing your house at 2.7 pCi/L. Buy your beautiful dream home and consider requesting the home owner install the system prior to closing with a post mitigation re-test to be sure the levels are safe. If the seller will not install a system, buy the house anyway and install a radon mitigation system yourself before moving in.  It’s one of least expensive home improvement investments with the highest return…your family’s health and a safe internal environment.

Test Your Home…Protect Your Family!