Invisible Threat: Understanding and Protecting your Family from Radon

You can’t see or smell this silent killer. Fortunately, it’s easy to test for radon – and take steps to protect your family from it.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas found all over the U.S. it can seep into any type of building, including your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the number-one cause of lung cancer among nonsmoker. But how do you know if you and your family are breathing it in? Here is the information that can help:

Why is it harmful?

Radioactive particles are released with the natural decay of uranium found in soil, rock and water. These particles can cause lung cancer. “If the radon level is close to risk level in your home, you have a greater chance of dying than in a car crash,” says James Roache, a Liberty Mutual home inspector who specialize in radon. A radon level above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air is considered dangerous.

How does it get inside buildings?

Radon migrates through soil and enters through cracks in a building’s foundation or baseman floors and walls, opening around sump pumps, drains, pipes and wires, and crawl spaces. As radon seeps in, it can build up in the enclosed living space. Higher levels of radon can enter basements during periods when the ground is waterlogged or frozen. It’s also important to know that radon is considered a pollutant, so losses or damages due to radon may not be covered by your insurance.

Where can you find a radon test?

Low-cost, do-it-yourself test kits can be purchased at your local hardware store or online at www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html. Short term test kits record the level of radon for as few as two days. A long-term test takes at least three months but can give you a more accurate reading. Or you can look for a qualified tester at www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html.

How do you fix the problem?

If you discover a dangerously high radon level, a qualified contractor can help you find a solution. A mitigation system is usually very effective, Roache says. This method, which pulls the gas from the house and vents it outside, is a fairly common installation.

Courtesy of Liberty Mutual

Explore posts in the same categories: Homebuyer, Homeowner, Homeselling

Tags: first time homebuyer, home buyer, home hunting, home seller, homebuyer, homebuyers, homeowners, homeselling, real estate

You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.