| Radon |
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 others
(http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html), 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.
Testing for radon comes in two forms: active and passive. Active devises
constantly measure the levels of radon in a portion of the 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. Gain Peace of Mind by having Bell Inspection Service provide
this service for you.
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 youre 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 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 youre 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.
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 others
(http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html), 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.
Testing for radon comes in two forms: active and passive. Active devises
constantly measure the levels of radon in a portion of the 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. Gain Peace of Mind by having Bell Inspection Service provide
this service for you.
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 youre 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 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 youre 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 Gas There are cracks in the foundation. Nothing structural. Nothing thats going to threaten the stability of the home, but theyre 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. |
State of Florida Radon Certified Measurement Technician #290261 |
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