January is National Radon Action Month
It’s our mission at Hebert Design Build to provide valuable information to homeowners to help them make informed decisions about their homes. In our continued effort, we want to take this opportunity to shed some light on an issue everyone should be aware of: radon.
The EPA has designated January as National Radon Action Month to encourage the public to inform themselves of the dangers of radon and how to best protect themselves and their families. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer deaths in the US among non-smokers and the number 2 cause among smokers. Each year, more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk and you can take measures to protect you and your family. Here’s what you need to know:
What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas found in soils and in the air everywhere in the world. It comes from uranium found in rocks such as granite and shale, which breaks down into radium and then into radon. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, making it undetectable by human senses.
Radon rises easily through soil into the atmosphere. When it rises into the atmosphere outdoors, the gas is diluted in the open air, but when it is drawn into a home it can accumulate at dangerous levels. It’s the difference in air pressure between a home’s foundation and the surrounding soil that draws radon into the home.
Radon levels are typically measured in units of picocuries per liter of air (picocurie is a measure of radioactivity). While there is no established safe level of radon, the EPA’s recommended level in your home is lower than 4 pCi/L.
How Do I Know if I Have Radon in My Home?
Every home has pathways through which radon can enter and the only way to know your home’s radon level is to test it. Both older and newer homes are susceptible to elevated levels, so all homes should be tested, including those built with radon-resistant features. You can read the EPA’s recommendations for when to test your home here, including a guide for home buyers and sellers.
There are 3 Types of Radon Detection Tests:
Short-Term Radon Detection
Short-term test kits measure radon levels in your home over a short period of time, ranging between a few days to a few months (depending on the kit). Readily available at most hardware stores, this option is quicker and more affordable than other options. However, these tests are less accurate than long-term or professional testing. Radon levels can fluctuate throughout the year, so measuring over a relatively short period of time doesn’t give you an average level. These tests are also less reliable, as factors such as humidity and temperature can interfere with results. Short-term tests are sometimes used to determine the need for further testing.
Long-Term Radon Detection
Long-term test kits measure radon levels in your home over the course of roughly a year. Because they are able to track fluctuations and determine average radon levels, these tests are considered more accurate and provide more conclusive results than short-term tests. A long-term test can help verify whether or not you need a mitigation system installed in your home.
Professional Radon Detection
For the most accurate and well analyzed results, you’ll need to bring in a radon specialist. They use more advanced technology to test radon levels in your home than you can purchase and use yourself. While the DIY tests are less expensive, they are susceptible to inaccurate results. In the case of something as dangerous as radon, it may be worth your peace of mind to hire an expert.
What Do I Do to Lower Radon Levels in My Home?
If radon levels of 4 pCi/L or higher are detected in your home, you will need to install a radon mitigation system. There are different types of mitigation systems and determining what works best for your home will depend on the type of foundation you have. You can read more about the different types of foundations and mitigation solutions here.
It is recommended that you hire a qualified radon mitigation specialist because it requires specific knowledge and skills to reduce radon levels. If done incorrectly, radon levels could actually increase or it could create other potential hazards for your house. The EPA’s guide on radon reduction has helpful information on what to do when you need a mitigation system.
What to Know When Buying, Selling or Building Your Home
Installing a radon mitigation system is not only a life-saving investment, it will also increase the resale value of your home. Your mitigation system should be advertised to buyers the same as any other highly desirable feature. Offer up-to-date radon testing data to save buyers the trouble of having to request it and save yourself the time, as accurate testing can take up to a year. Even if it’s not a requirement to provide this information, doing so will reassure buyers that your house is a safe choice.
If you are looking to buy a home, be sure to ask the current homeowner to test radon levels if they haven’t done so recently. Just because they’ve been living in the home for 20 plus years doesn’t mean they were living with safe levels of radon! It is not a requirement in every state to have this done prior to sale, so be your own advocate and put your mind at ease before you sign the papers. The last thing you want when moving in is it be stuck with a bill for installing a new or repairing a broken mitigation system.
If you’re thinking of building a new home, bear in mind that not all contractors will include a radon mitigation system unless you specifically request it. They may not even mention it as an option. If you’re working with a designer, be clear with them about your desire to include a mitigation system. If your custom design or a design you purchased doesn’t include a system, altering the design to include one will add to your cost.
One in four homes in Rhode Island have radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L. We at Hebert Design Build recommend including a radon mitigation system in every new build we design. But no matter who you hire for your home project, make safe and informed decisions to protect yourself and your family from radon.