Radon Education

RADON

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE!

     Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed in the earth. When inhaled over long periods of time at high concentrations it can cause lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States today with 21,000 deaths annually directly attributable to radon exposure.

     Because radon is radioactive it is unstable, emitting alpha and beta particles as it changes to more stable elements. The alpha particles can cause damage to cells in the delicate tissue of the lungs that can lead to lung cancer.

 

1.Radon enters lungs in air breathed in.

 

 

2. Radon and air are drawn into air sacs of lungs.

 

3.Radon breaks down radioactively emitting alpha and beta particles.

 

4. Radiation damages cells possibly leading to lung cancer.

 

     Radon is in the air all around us in very low concentrations but when it becomes trapped in a building such as a home or school it can become a significant health hazard.

 

     The illustration shows how radon can enter a dwelling from the rocks and earth beneath. Slight negative air pressure in the house, especially in the heating season, draws more radon in.

     Radon is colorless gas, has no smell or taste, so the only way to know if it is present, and how much is present, is to test.

     Tests can be short term,48 hours, or long term, 3months, each giving a different sampling of the conditions in a building. The tests are easy to do.  In Vermont, through a grant to the State  from the Environmental Protection Agency, long term test kits can be obtained free of charge from the Vermont Department of Health. (1-800-439-8550). Instructions for use and return come with the test kits. 

 

     Long term tests give a better understanding of the year round average radon level in a building.

 

     Radon test kits are analyzed by a lab and the results will be sent to the client with comments about the need for follow-up or mitigation.

FAQs about Radon testing and mitigation:

What part of my home should I test?

Test the lowest living space of your home. Follow the instructions that come with the kit about placement in the room. Do not place on the floor, or in a kitchen or bathroom. Test for the required amount of time.

Do I need to test the basement?

Only test in the basement if you use it for living space such as a den, playroom or bedroom. Washer, dryer, furnace and storage do not count.

Is the test kit dangerous?

The test kit is not dangerous unless the plastic canister is crushed, breaks and forms sharp cutting edges. It does not store up radon, it records the impact of alpha particles on a small piece of film.

What happens if the kit breaks?

If the kit falls on a hard floor it may crack open. Quickly put it back together, snapping the two halves together. If the kit is totally broken, fill out a new request on this site to get another (active email request).

Should I test my water for radon?

Water from deep wells may contain dissolved radon. When the pressure on the water is released, in a shower, sink, or toilet, radon off-gases into the air. The radon level of a bathroom and adjacent rooms will increase. Use a bathroom fan. If your home has an elevated radon level you should also test the water for radon. Radon levels in water can be tested through your state's Health Department. (VT Contact Customer Service: (802) 863-7336)

Do I have to test for radon if I plan to sell my home?

There is currently no law in Vermont that requires you to test your house for radon but many buyers will demand a radon test before purchasing a house. When the test is done by a building inspector the home seller pays for it to be done. If you plan ahead, you can get a free long term test kit (active email request), or purchase an inexpensive short term test from a hardware store and do it yourself. Sometimes the buyer will want an independent test to be done.

Are old houses with stone foundations and dirt floors more likely to have high radon levels?

No, there are many factors that impact radon levels in a building. Testing is the only way to find the answer.

If my next door neighbor's home has a certain radon level can I assume mine will be similar?

No! Homes and other buildings are all unique in air flow and radon level. Only testing will give you information about your home.

Radon can enter a mobile home just as any other, especially when there are a skirt and insulation covering the slab, piers or other supports. Testing should be done in the same manner and in the main living area, not in a closed bedroom.

What should I do if my house has an elevated radon level?

The letter you receive with your results will tell you what the radon level was found to be. 4.0 picoCuries per liter of air is the EPA action level. Anything above this level needs some type of mitigation (improvement). Levels around 4.0pCi/l may be mitigated by improving the ventilation in the home. Sometimes redoing the test with better attention to how it is done, will lower the test result. If the result is well above 4.0 pCi/l and does not improve with better testing efforts you will need to speak with a qualified radon mitigator who will explain the process and the costs involved.

What happens if I am selling my home and the result comes back high?

The buyer may decide not to buy! The buyer may require you to fix the problem before signing a purchase agreement. The buyer may ask that money to cover the cost of mitigation be placed in an escrow account for the purpose of mitigation. This will lower the amount of money you receive for the sale of your home by an average of $1,200 - $2,500.

If I do a radon test of my home and then decide to sell do I have to declare the results of the test?

Yes! All environmental tests of this type that you do on your home have to be disclosed when you sell the house. You should keep the official letter that includes your test results in a safe place with other important documents for that very purpose. If it has been some years since the test was done or if you have made significant structural changes to the building, you will probably be asked to test again.

How often do I need to retest for radon?

Some sources recommend every 3-5 years but certainly you need to retest if you make major structural changes to your home or if you expand the living space to include the previously unused basement.

I am building a new home and want to build Radon out. How can I get information?

There are several good publications for builders that explain how to prevent radon from entering a new construction and how to install a mitigation system as the home is being constructed. These are available from www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive/html  or Vermont Department of Health web site at http://healthvermont.gov