Knowing the Dangers of Radon | |
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that occurs naturally in certain types of soil. Breathing radon can increase your risk of lung cancer. Because of differences in soil, construction, etc., virtually any house might have a radon problem. The only way to tell for sure is to test your house for it. Fortunately, a radon test is simple, you can do it yourself, and the cost is reasonable: $15-35 per test. The most common test kit is called a charcoal canister. It comes in various shapes and sizes, but basically is a small container of charcoal that absorbs radon if it is in the air. Follow the directions on the test kit exactly. Place it in your basement or first floor, and leave it for a few days, according to the instructions. Then seal and mail it to a testing laboratory. In a few weeks, you'll get a written report in the mail. Radon levels are usually measured in picocuries per liter (pC/l). The number to keep in mind is 4. If your home's radon level is higher than 4 pC/l, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says you may have cause for concern and should test further. What if your test results are higher - should you hire a radon mitigation contractor? Sell the house? Don't do anything until you test again, to rule out the possibility of an erroneous first reading. If the second test shows a similar high reading, you may want to next use an "track-etch" tester that measures radon levels over the course of several months to a year. This will give you a much better idea of your actual exposure living in the house year-round. If all the testing indicates a continuing high level of radon in your home, look for ways to reduce the level. There are some do- it-yourself measures you can try, or in some cases you may need to hire a radon mitigation specialist. For free informational literature, call the U.S. EPA Radon Hotline: 1-800-767-7236. Remember, radon levels vary from state to state, city to city, and even house to house. For your own peace of mind, test your home. Reprinted with permission from the Housing Resource Center Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |