Date Published: 05/21/2010 [Source]
Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind tobacco. According to the EPA, St. Joseph County has the "highest potential" for radon. So, it's worth your time and money to make sure this silent killer isn't in your home.
You may have heard of someone being diagnosed with lung cancer, even though they've never smoked or been exposed to second-hand smoke. The reason might lie in that person's home.
Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind tobacco. According to the EPA, St. Joseph County has the "highest potential" for radon. So, it's worth your time and money to make sure this silent killer isn't in your home.
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. It enters the home through cracks in floors and walls and becomes trapped inside. Radon levels then build up over time.
"Unfortunately, radon is an odorless, invisible gas that actually seeps through the foundation of the house; whether it's a basement, crawl space, or even a slab. So the only way to really know is to actually have your house tested. But the good thing is testing is inexpensive." says consumer expert Angie Hicks.
Ben Ledo is a homeowner who discovered a high radon reading during a home inspection when he bought his home last year.
"I learned I had a radon problem when I was in the process of purchasing the home and had a homeowner's inspection. The inspector indicated, after his readings, that I had over three times the EPA regulated limit, so he recommended that once I purchase the home that I would get some kind of mitigation system in place to mitigate those numbers and get them back down to the EPA standard," says Ben.
"They can have someone come in and put in a system that will remove the gas from the house and it might cost anywhere from $700 to $2,000, depending on the size of your house," says Angie.
There's no age discrimination with radon; it's found in old and new homes alike.
If you buy a radon test kit from the hardware store and your home does test positive, it's probably a good idea to do a second test just to confirm or, better yet, hire a professional to run a test.
Make sure to check that the test meets EPA requirements and follow the directions carefully. Most tests take two days. After the test, you typically seal the detector back in the package and mail it to a lab.
Here's more information on radon gas:
Quick facts about radon:
* It's a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. It enters the home through cracks in floors and walls and becomes trapped inside. Radon levels then build up over time. You can't see it or smell it.
* Radon is measure in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA recommends that homes with radon levels at 4 pCi/L or higher be fixed.
* Radon can be found anywhere in the U.S.; anywhere in your house, regardless of whether your home is old or new.
* It is present in nearly all air. However, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, people who inhale high levels of radon are at an increased risk for developing lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
* The presence of radon in the home is preventable.
Angie's List tips for testing your home for radon: o The only way to tell if you have a problem is to perform a test.
o Testing can be done in one of two ways: you can buy a testing kit at your local hardware store for usually less than $25. Make sure to check that the test meets EPA requirements and follow the directions carefully. Most tests take two days. After the test, you typically seal the detector back in the package and mail it to a lab.
o Or you can contact a licensed radon testing company. A professional can provide feedback immediately after the test.
o Because radon levels fluctuate, the EPA recommends a follow up test before fixing your home. If the second test confirms high levels of radon, (4 pCi/L or higher) choose a qualified radon contractor to fix your home. If you decide to do the work yourself, check first with the EPA on training courses and information.
o You should test for radon every couple of years or every time you remodel your home, or if you are buying or selling a home.
Angie's List tips to hire a qualified radon service professional to test or fix your radon problem: + The right mitigation system depends on many factors, including the design of your home. A system with a vent pipe and fan is typically used to reduce radon.
+ Check radon detection and reduction reviews on the Angie's List website.
+ Many states certify or license radon contractors. Call your state health or environmental management agency's radon office for information about qualified service providers in your state.
+ Get more than one estimate in person because every house is different and hire a company who will install the system according to EPA's recommended standards.
+ Find someone who will stand by the work and service it. Find a contractor who promotes post-mitigation testing and provides a guarantee to get the levels at least below 4 pCi/L. Installing a radon control system normally takes one day. Costs vary from $700-$2,000, but complicated systems can • cost up to $3,000. Pricing depends on whether there is a crawlspace, septic drainfield, or sump pump. The amount of piping needed to run the system correctly is also a factor in the cost.