Radon Gas

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after the voluntary cause of lung cancer, smoking

Western PA has an overall 50% radon failrue rate as compared to the national failure rate of 15 %

We have served Pittsburgh and Wesetrn PA as Home and Environmental Inspectors for 30 years and have performed over 14,000 inspections.

Use the following link to check the zip code of the home that concens you for the highest, lowest and average level of radon in that zip codes homes. The DEP radon figures include the test results of homes after they have been remediated, and as such, the website averages are lower the average reading of homes wihout a radon mitigation system for a zip code.  http://www.dep.state.pa.us/RadiationProtection_Apps/Radon/

Think of it this way, 50 % of Western PA homes fail their radon test. If you purchase a home, the cost of a test is $125.00 wen done with a home inspection, and $ 150.0 without. The cost of a typical  remediation is $800.00 to $1,200.00.  on a risk of 50/50 odds the test will fail. If you do not care about the health of your family, it is a "good bet" to test for radon. If you do care about the health of your family. testing is s "no-brainer" and still a a good bet to have the test donw.

Lets face it, if the next buyer asks for the test, you will need to pay for the remedaiton ( which is worse for you than the seller you are buying a home from paying for it ) and.........you exposed your family to a major lung cancer risk every day that they lived there.

The best choice is to have the radon test done before you purchase a home. The second best choice is to have it done after you pruchase the home and before someone in your home has lung cancer.  

MORE ABOUT THE SUBJECT   

There are cracks in the foundation. Nothing structural. Nothing thats going to threatenhe stability of the home, but theyre there. Nooks, crannies and holes through which seeps an invisible threat. Colorless, odorless and undetectable by your average human, it is none the less the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon gas - even the name sounds ominous, evoking images of radiation and nuclear devastation is created when uranium in the soil decays. The gas then seeps through any access point into a home. Common entry points are cracks in the foundation, poorly sealed pipes, drainage or any other loose point. Once in the home, the gas can collect in certain areas especially basements and other low-lying, closed areas and build up over time to dangerous levels. The Environmental Protection Agency of the US Government has set a threshold of 4 pico curies per liter as the safe level. As humans are exposed to the gas over a period of years, it can have a significant and detrimental effect.

How widespread is the problem? Radon has been found in homes in all 50 states. Certain areas are more susceptible than others (http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html), but no location is immune. Concentrations of radon-causing materials in the soil can be either natural or man-made. Homes built near historic mining operations may be at higher risk. The only way to tell for sure is to have a home tested.

Testing for radon comes in two forms: active and passive. Active devises constantly measure the levels of radon in a portion of the home and display those results. Passive devices collect samples over a period of time and then are taken away and analyzed. Either method can help you determine your level of risk. Do-it-yourself kits are available from a number of outlets, normally with passive devices. Over a period of days, the device is left in the lowest level of the home which is normally occupied. This eliminates crawl spaces under the house, but includes finished or unfinished basements. Then the results are analyzed by a professional. The other option is to engage a qualified professional to conduct the tests properly. The EPA web site (http://www.epa.gov/radon/manufact.htm) provides information on finding an appropriate resources and testing devices.

If high concentrations of radon are found in your home, you have several options. Since radon is only a problem when it is concentrated in high volume, improving the ventilation in an area is often sufficient to solve the problem. In other cases, it may be necessary to limit the amount of radon getting into the home by sealing or otherwise obstructing the access points. Once again, a professional should be engaged to ensure that the radon is effectively blocked. Typical radon mitigation systems can cost between $800 and $2500, according to the EPA.

If you're buying or selling a home, radon can be a significant issue. Buyers should be aware of the radon risk in their area and determine whether a radon test is desirable. When in doubt, the EPA always recommends testing. The cost of the test can be built into the house price. If test results already exist, make sure they are recent or that the home has not been significantly renovated since the test was performed. If in doubt, get a new test done. If youre selling a home, having a recent radon test is a great idea. By being proactive, you can assure potential buyers that there is no risk and avoid the issue from the start.

So whether you have an old home or a new one, live in an old mining town or in the middle of the Great Plains, radon is a reality. But it is a reality that we can correct and live with. Proper testing and mitigation, can eliminate radon as a health threat.

For more information

Indoor Air - Radon -