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Radon
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There are cracks in the foundation. Nothing
structural. Nothing that's going to threaten the stability of the home, but
they're there. Nooks, crannies and holes through which seeps an invisible
threat. Colorless, odorless and undetectable by your average human, it is
none the less the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. RADON GAS -
even the name sounds ominous, evoking images of radiation and nuclear
devastation is created when uranium in the soil decays. The gas then 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 US Government
has set a threshold of 4 pico curies per liter as the safe level. As humans
are exposed to the gas over a period of years, it can have a significant and
detrimental effect. How widespread is the problem? Radon has been found in
homes in all 50 states. Certain areas are more susceptible than other (See http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html for
a national radon zone map), but no location is immune. Concentrations of
radon-causing materials in the soil can be either natural or man-made. Homes
built near historic mining operations may be at higher risk. The only way to
tell for sure is to have a home tested. Typically the radon sampling device is left in the
lowest level of the home which is normally occupied for a period of several
days. This eliminates crawl spaces under the house, but includes finished or
unfinished basements. The device is then sent overnight to a certified
laboratory for analyzed by a professional with the results made available
the same day the device arrives. 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 getting into the home by sealing or otherwise obstructing the access
points. Once again, a professional should be engaged to ensure that the radon
is effectively blocked. Typical radon mitigation systems can cost
between $800 and $2500, according to the EPA. If you're buying or selling a home, radon can be a
significant issue. Buyer's should be aware of the radon risk in their area
and determine whether a radon test is desirable. 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 you're selling a home, having
a recent radon test is a great idea. By being proactive, you can assure
potential buyers that there 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. Radon
Myths and Facts
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