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Home Owners and Radon

By
Real Estate Agent with Skogman Realty

 

So, if you can't see it, taste it, or smell it, why do I care if my house has radon?  Homeowners today are wondering why there is so much concern with radon testing.  In 1998, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) released a report that 12% of all lung cancer deaths are linked to radon.  Radon has been determined the second leading cause of death due to lung cancer. 

 

Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas in the air created from the natural break down of uranium in the soil, rock, and water.  Radon can seep from the ground into your home through floor drains, sump pits, concrete cracks and other small spaces.  These radioactive particles can attach to your lungs when inhaled causing health problems.

 

 I recommend you know the radon level in the home you live in.  The EPA suggests reducing radon levels in your home to less then four picocuries per liter (pCi/L).  The age of your home is not relative A radon test kit can be purchased for about twenty dollars or a radon specialist can be hired to test. Once radon has been detected, a mitigation system can be installed to lower the radon level to recommended EPA standards. 

 

As a homeowner, there are resolutions to lower the radon level in your basement.  The range of cost to mitigate the radon to an acceptable EPA reading is estimated from $450 if your home is pre-plumbed for a radon system to $1,700 if the vent path is more difficult.  Linn County does not require new single family construction to pre-plumb for radon.  The other surrounding counties require pre-plumb for radon in their building code.  Most builders in our area pre-plumb for a future radon mitigation system since the cost of installation is under $150.00 at the time of construction.  If you have a home that tested high for radon, the mitigation system can be installed by one of the state licensed professionals.  The installation will take from four to eight hours to install.  The system path to alleviate radon level from the lower level of your home to the outside wall determines the construction of the house and the most direct path.  A retest is required to verify the radon level is now an acceptable level.  A meter will be placed in the lower level of your home so you can monitor any future changes or be assured the mitigation system is in working order. 

 

When buying or selling real estate, a discussion of radon testing is recommended and an option on most real estate purchase contracts.  Feel free to email me at hahrens@skogman.com with questions or concerns you may have about radon and your home.  You can also research additional information at www.epa.gov.

 

 

Heather Morris, CRS, GRI. ABR, CLHMS

Broker Associate/ Skogman Realty 3/2008