How Do You Fix A Radon Problem – Three things you need to know about radon in winter, Pdf) radon, How to test for radon and get rid of it, Buying a home with radon. what you should know, Radon in homes, schools and buildings, Why is radon a problem
The dangers of radon gas in a home have become more common and can affect homeowners before radon is detected. Consider the story of Stanley, an employee of a Pennsylvania nuclear power company. One day he came to work and the radiation shields at the factory creaked an alarm. Experts were confused – how could Stan activate the alarm on his way to work? The answer to this question has raised one of the great environmental concerns of our time: Radon. In Stan’s home it turned out that radon levels were more than 500 times what was considered safe, and Stan took the effects to work. Stan desperately needed a radon reduction system to save his and his family’s health.
Radon is not an industrial chemical or a synthetic creation. It occurs naturally when the uranium in the soil decomposes, like all organic compounds. Inhaled, radon can cause lung tissue damage and can lead to lung cancer.
How Do You Fix A Radon Problem
Although radon has been around since the beginning of time, it has become a problem in the last 20 years or so, as the energy crisis has led to the construction of more “energy-efficient” homes. Years ago, when energy was cheap, homes were much larger, and these built-in air leaks helped dilute internal pollutants like radon to safe levels. However, as energy costs went up and house building became more difficult, radon levels inside the house also went up. Today, we must pay close attention to our indoor air environment to ensure that the air remains healthy and free from the danger of radon.
The Radon Level Is High! Now What???
Radon gas testing is fairly simple. You can even take the test yourself in your home. Many radon labs sell simple test kits, which usually come with a postmark to send the kit back to the company for analysis. However, if the house you are inspecting is a house you are buying, certain state laws require that the inspection be done by a licensed radon inspection company. Also, if your radon test detects high levels of radon gas, radon reduction systems will be required and should also be installed by an experienced and licensed radon reduction professional.
All radon tests must be carried out in the basement or at the lowest level of the house and in “closed construction conditions”. Apart from normal entry and exit, this means that all windows and doors, from the basement to the upper level of the house, must be closed during the entire inspection, which can last up to a week. Although it can be difficult, especially during the summer, it is critical. If windows are left open, a high or low false radon hazard call may occur.
Most importantly, if your radon test result is high, do not panic. Most structures can be modified to reduce radon gas to safe levels by installing a simple radon reduction system. Newer buildings even require partial radon reduction systems during construction, in case they are needed later to reduce or eliminate the radon hazard.
It is a myth that it is expensive and difficult to solve the radon problem. None of them are true, so don’t let that stop you from inspecting your home to make sure you are safe from the health effects of exposure to radon. Radon, a type A cancer, is a tasteless, odorless and colorless gas produced by uranium decay in soils. It is estimated that one in four homes in Kansas has high radon levels, according to the Kansas Radon Plan.
Master Gardener: Fixing Radon Problems Reduces Lung Cancer Risk
The dangerous gas contributes to thousands of lung cancer deaths each year after it seeps into the foundation of the house through the ground. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Children and smokers living in homes with high gas levels are at the highest risk.
State law requires home sellers to disclose all information about high levels of radon gas in residential properties. Homebuyers should have an internal radon check done by a qualified radon technician before purchasing a home. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends inspecting all homes.
The average indoor level is 1.3 pCi / l and the EPA recommends that homebuyers take action when the level is 4.0 pCi / l. In Kansas, the average residential radon test is 4.8 pCi / L, which exceeds the EPA warning level.
If the result of your radon test is equal to or greater than 4 pCi / l, radon reduction work is required and a re-inspection of the house is required after the initial work is completed.
Fixing Homes With Radon Problems Reduces Lung Cancer Risk
Home sellers must be inspected by a qualified technician by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Homebuyers should be reassured knowing that the newly purchased home has undergone a radon inspection and all concerns have been addressed.
If high radon levels are in the home after follow-up tests, radon lowering equipment can be installed to a safe level in your home. The costs associated with radon testing are significantly lower than the costs associated with fighting lung cancer.
Firehouse has inspected certified home inspections, radon inspections and video sewer inspections for hundreds of apartment buyers each year. Prevent exposure to radon and schedule your test with us today at 316-648-5779. Expert advice from Bob Villa, the most trusted names in the field of home remodeling, home remodeling, home remodeling and do it yourself. Homely experience, true, reliable
Here’s what potential buyers need to know about radon in homes. Is it a bad idea to buy a home that has high radon levels? Learn how to test radon in homes and how to safely reduce gas.
Is Radon Really A Serious Problem?
Buying a new home can be as stressful as it is exciting. In addition to choosing a home that fits your budget and lifestyle, it should also be in good structural condition and free of hazards – such as high levels of radon gas.
You may not see it, smell it or taste it, but radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, this does not mean that radon’s presence in homes is a defect. Read on to learn all about radon gas: how to perform a property inspection, why radon in homes is something you need to worry about, and what can be done to remove radon gas from your home to make it safer for your family.
Radon gas is a by-product of underground decay of radioactive elements, such as uranium and thorium. As these substances deteriorate, the gas is released and eventually reaches the earth and the air we breathe.
Fortunately, radon gas is so diluted in our external environment that it does not pose a health hazard. However, it can be concentrated in buildings. Every U.S. state has radon gas, but some areas are at higher risk than others. Check out this interactive EPA map to find out if you are looking for a home in a high-risk area.
Radon Testing: How To Do A Radon Test And Remove Dangerous Radon Gas » The Money Pit
While radon is considered harmless at low levels that are outside, once it enters the house, it can concentrate at levels high enough to endanger the residents. Radon gas is measured in picokiuri per liter (pCi / L), and the EPA recommends reducing radon for all homes with radon gas levels of 4 pCi / L and above.
Radon gas is slightly heavier than air, so while it is located in basements and crawl spaces, air conditioning systems of the entire home tend to disperse the gas throughout the home. This means that even the second story may contain high levels of radon.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), radon particles in the air are radioactive and inhalation can damage the lung mucosa. Radon may also contribute to leukemia, although further studies are needed to confirm a definitive link.
Living at home with high levels of radon increases the risk of lung cancer. The higher the gas concentration, the greater the chance that those living in the home will develop cancer at some point in their lives. The risk of developing radon-related lung cancer also increases significantly if the occupants of the home smoke. EPA estimates reveal a correlation between radon levels in the home and the risk of smokers living there developing radon-related cancer. for example:
What Potential Buyers Need To Know About Radon In Homes
Although there are no safe levels of radon, the EPA strongly recommends taking steps to reduce indoor radon levels if they occur in concentrations higher than 4 pCi / L. However, since radon is not safe at any level, they also suggest treating homes with radon levels between 2 and 4 pCi / L. According to the EPA, the average concentration of radon gas in a home is about 1.3 pCi / L, which does not pose a significant risk to most residents living in the home.
Radon levels outside are usually only 0.4 pCi / L, the minimum level that is not considered a health risk. In addition to learning how to fix high radon levels, it is helpful for homeowners to understand the consequences of living with high radon levels and selling or buying a home with a high concentration of gas.
As part of the home sale process, homeowners fill out a disclosure form detailing known material defects, such as foundation problems, termite infestations,
Why Is Radon A Problem, Unhealthy Levels Of Cancer Causing Radon Found In Nearly 50% Colorado Homes, Testing …, Will Sealing My Basement Floor Help Lower Radon Levels?, DIY Radon Reduction System Tips, MEPHT, What Potential Buyers Need To Know About Radon In Homes, WE Fix RADON, Is There Radon In Your Home, The Invisible Threat Inside Your Home: Dangerous Levels Of Radon Gas Are Being Found In More Houses Across Canada Than Ever Before