So, you're in the market to buy a home. You've decided that you want your own place to raise your family. So, don't you want your family to be as safe as possible in your new home? Of course you do! So when you finally find your dream home, you'll want to make sure that your home inspector performs a Radon test.
What is Radon, you ask? Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is harmless in small concentrations. While it is emitted pretty much everywhere, certain parts of New Jersey contain higher 
concentrations than others. Radon, however, is not something to be dismissed. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and it is the number one cause of Lung cancer amongst non-smokers. Typically, Radon is found in basements and crawlspaces, as it dissipates in the air, and sometimes in high (dangerous) concentrations. Your home inspector will perform a Radon test, where a canister is left for a few days then picked up and sent to a lab to measure the Radon concentration. As long as the concentration is below 4.0 picocuries/liter, remediation is not required. If the concentration is higher than 4.0, you can still safely live in the house, but you'll need to have remediation equipment installed. That equipment, usually a series of fans, controllers, and a "chimney pipe" can be professionally installed and usually costs around $1500 for a permanent solution.
Fortunately, of the 22 towns with the highest Radon concentrations, none are in Union County. It turns out that 7 Union County towns have "moderate" Radon risk. Those towns are Berkeley Heights, Clark, New Providence, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, and Westfield. The only town in Union County that is considered "low" Radon risk is Cranford.
A complete list of the towns with high, moderate and low risks and a map of the Radon concentrations in New Jersey are available here.
For information about purchasing a home, contact Team Zuhl today! Remember, with Team Zuhl everything we touch turns to SOLD!!!
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