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!