Homes may contain cracks in walls and floors, though these may not be a serious problem to the home's stability, other problems may be present. Something that can't be easily noticed and observed, especially by the naked eye could be working its way through the cracks and crevices. Actually, what people do not realize is that this invisible threat is possibly already present at their home. This threat is so harmful that it can cause lung cancer and is even ranked as the second leading cause in the United States.
The culprit is called Radon Gas. Just the fact it is a gas, gives cause for concern. In general, Radon Gas is formed from the decomposition of Uranium in the soil. This gas enters the home through the cracks or holes in the walls and floor of the home. Once the gas has entered the house, it will continue to accumulate and hang around. Usually, the gas hangs out in places like basements and other areas that are low and enclosed. Radon continues to accumulate until the gas reaches high levels that can cause toxicity. A safe level of 4 pico curies per liter is determined by the Environmental Protection Agency of the US Government. This is actually the average reading for a 48 hour period. When people are exposed to this gas for a long time, harmful effects are likely to happen.
How widespread is the problem of Radon? The Radon gas has been detected in all homes at 50 states. However, there are certain areas wherein Radon is more prevalent than others although no area is free of traces of Radon. The Radon found in these areas is either man-made or naturally occurring in the environment. Homes that are built close to old mines are more susceptible to Radon; however, the best way to determine Radon contamination is to have your home tested.
There are two ways to test Radon - passive and active testing. For active testing, there are devices that measure the levels of Radon constantly in a specific area in the house and results are then displayed. However, for passive testing, samples are gathered over a long time and then mailed to a lab for further analysis. Any of these methods would alert you to the risks for Radon toxicity. There are also do-it-your-self kits for passive testing. This is done by leaving the test kit in the most susceptible area of the house to be able to gather Radon samples. The samples would then be carefully examined by an expert. Another option would be to hire an expert to conduct the testing and analysis. More information and resources can be found at the EPA website. ( epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html )
Once Radon concentrations are found at your home, it would be best to minimize it and prevent further contamination by sealing cracks and holes at your home. Ensure that the access points are effectively sealed through seeking the help of an expert. According to EPA, a homeowner would spend roughly $800 to $2500 for a radon mitigation system.
Radon is becoming a more important consideration if you're planning to buy a home. Here in Iowa, for example, Radon is very common. Many relocation companies are now requiring homes to be tested for Radon. Having said that, many Iowans will accept the risk of Radon over Scorpions, Rattlesnakes, Tropical Storms.
Nigel Chapman, Certified Distressed Property Expert
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