Radon-How Concerned Should You Be?

Radon is a naturally occurring, cancer-causing (per the US EPA), radioactive gas that can be found in homes all over the US and in every state and county. No level of radon exposure has been deemed to be safe by the EPA. The EPA, however, recommends that you fix your home if the test result is higher than 4pCi/L.

If you have not had your home checked for radon, you can do it for as little as $15. Or, you can hire a certified (NEHA-NRPP) operator to provide you with a measurement. If done correctly, a $15 activated charcoal kit available at stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's, can give you a pretty good idea of the radon level in your home. If you prefer to hire a radon measurement professional, first contact your state radon office about obtaining a list of qualified testers.

Either way, you should know what the radon level is in your home. Do not assume that, because your neighbor's radon measurement is "acceptable", that you are safe. Radon levels can vary dramatically within the same county or within the same neighborhood. It is true that some areas across the country have demonstrated higher radon levels than others.

Three reasons for knowing the radon level in your home or potential home are:

• you do not want to expose you or your family to any radon (particularly above 4 pCi/L, per the EPA) as there may be long term health consequences
• when you sell your home, the prospective buyer may have a radon measurement taken-and you may loose the sale if the measurement is determined to be 4pCi/L or higher
• a home you are considering purchasing has not had a radon measurement done by a certified operator

Fixing a home with should be done by a certified radon mitigation contractor. The typical costs of mitigation work generally runs between $800 and $2500.

Resources for radon information include:

Guide to Radon Reduction
www.epa.gov/radon/pubs

NEHA-NRPP (National Radon Proficiency Program/National Environmental and Health Association)
www.neha-nrpp.org/

Links and list of privately certified professionals serving your area and more information
www.epa.gov/radon/proficiency.html