| Radon is responsible for at least 15,000 to 20,000 | | | | radon fan can be easily added at a later date if |
| getting lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. In | | | | needed. |
| fact, radon exposure is the second-leading cause of | | | | • If a sump pump is not required for the |
| lung cancer in the United States. This tragedy is | | | | basement or if the construction is slab on grade, |
| compounded by the fact that both radon testing and | | | | have drain tile looped around the perimeter of the |
| radon mitigation are simple and inexpensive. While | | | | inside of the foundation and have it terminate with a |
| nationally 1 in 15 homes may show dangerous levels | | | | 3 inch PVC "rough in." A 3" PVC vent pipe is sufficient |
| of radon, the average levels in many parts of the | | | | for spaces that are less than 2,000 square feet. Use |
| mid-Atlantic may be two to three times higher than | | | | a 4" PVC "rough in" and a 4" PVC vent pipe for |
| this. There are no immediate symptoms of radon | | | | spaces larger than 2,000 square feet. |
| exposure and you cannot see, taste, feel, or smell | | | | How to Measure Radon |
| radon. Cancer can show up five to 25 years after | | | | Homeowners can test for radon themselves. Order a |
| exposure and about 12% of lung cancer diagnoses | | | | radon test kit and when finished, make sure to |
| are caused by radon. | | | | return the radon test to the laboratory with all the |
| Where Radon Comes From | | | | required information filled out. Be sure to follow the |
| Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the | | | | test kit instructions to the letter. One of the most |
| soil. It is a byproduct of uranium decay. Radon can be | | | | common mistakes is over or under exposing the |
| found in-new homes, older homes, homes in need of | | | | devices. A radon test result of 4 picocuries (a |
| repair, homes without basements; there is no pattern. | | | | picocurie is one trillionth of a curie and measures |
| Your neighbor's home might be radon-free, while your | | | | radioactivity) per liter or higher is considered to be a |
| home has dangerous levels. Radon can come from | | | | high radon level. The average radon level in homes is |
| the ground beneath a home, well water, and various | | | | 1.3pCi/L and .4pCi/L outdoors. The 1.3 pCi/l national |
| building materials. The only way to know is to test | | | | average includes homes in many regions that do not |
| your home, which can be done for less than $30 with | | | | have radon issues. Keep in mind that the 4.0 pCi/l |
| a simple kit available at most hardware stores. | | | | standard was established as a matter of practicality, |
| Before Buying a Home: | | | | not safety. EPA officials at the time were unsure |
| • Ask the seller for a copy of the home's | | | | whether the technology and methods employed in |
| radon test results. If the home has not been tested, | | | | 1984 were capable of reducing radon levels further. |
| ask your home inspector to include a radon test in his | | | | Recent studies show a significant risk of lung cancer |
| report. | | | | when exposed at levels between 2 and 4 pCi/l. EPA |
| • Make sure that the Radon Testing | | | | recommends reducing radon levels to below 2pCi/l if |
| Checklist items were met. | | | | possible. |
| • Make sure that the last test was recent, | | | | If your home does have Radon |
| at least within the past 2 years. | | | | Costs to hire a radon removal professional to lower |
| • Make sure that the seller has performed | | | | radon levels average about $800 to $1,200. Homes |
| the test in the lowest, livable level of the house. This | | | | with crawl spaces or without gravel under the slab |
| usually means the basement, but if the home has no | | | | cost more. Many radon removal configurations exist |
| basement, test in the lowest level of the house. | | | | and include sub slab depressurization (SSD), SSD with |
| • Ask that the home be tested again if any | | | | a crawl space, and air exchangers. The work required |
| changes have been made to the home's heating, | | | | for a successful radon mitigation are beyond the skills |
| ventilation, and air conditioning system since the last | | | | of most untrained homeowners. |
| test was done. | | | | What to Consider When Hiring a Radon Abatement |
| • Should you decide to renovate an | | | | or Mitigation Firm |
| unfinished part of the home, test for radon before | | | | • Ask to see proof of their certifications |
| work begins. It is much easier to install a radon | | | | from National Environmental Health Association |
| system in an unfinished room. If your test results are | | | | (NEHA) and/or the National Radon Safety Board |
| close to the EPA action level (4.0 pCi/l), test the | | | | (NRSB). |
| space again after work is completed. | | | | • Contractors must also be licensed as |
| When renovating an unfinished part of a home or | | | | home-improvement contactors in each state they |
| building a new home, look to minimize radon | | | | wish to work. The District of Columbia is an |
| presence. | | | | exception in the case of radon work. |
| To Minimize Radon When Building a New Home: | | | | • Make sure the contractor is fully insured. |
| • The integrity of the slab should be | | | | • Have them describe all of the work they |
| maintained at all times. | | | | will be doing. |
| • Sump pits need to be installed with a | | | | • Sign a contract and see that it includes all |
| sealed cover. | | | | promises that were made verbally. |
| • Use a gas tight radon drain for all floor | | | | • Don't pay for work until it is complete. |
| drains. | | | | Down payments are rarely required. |
| • When framing, run a radon vent pipe from | | | | • Ask for at least a 20-year transferable |
| the basement to the high part of the attic. This pipe | | | | warranty. |
| should not be to close to the attic eaves, so that a | | | | |