Radon in Missouri Homes

What is radon and how does it affect my home? 

Radon is a chemical element (Rn). It is produced via the natural breakdown of thorium and uranium, their decay product radium, which creates its decay product radon. It is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas that is considered a health hazard due to its radioactivity. 

 

Studies have shown a clear link between breathing high concentrations of radon and incidence of lung cancer. Thus, radon is considered a significant contaminant that affects indoor home air quality worldwide. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking.

How do you find out if you have radon in your home?

For Missourians there is a FREE RADON TESTING KIT you can order. Click the following link and fill out the quick form to receive your testing kit in 8-10 business days: http://health.mo.gov/living/environment/radon/testkit.php

What if you find radon in your home?

If you have performed only a single test, the US EPA recommends a follow-up test before fixing your home. Radon levels fluctuate naturally and it is important to know if the initial test was an accurate assessment of your home's average radon level or whether the high levels could have been caused by unusual weather.

What if you discover radon and plan on selling your home?

If you are involved in a real estate transaction, the EPA recommends fixing the house prior to sale if the average of your original and follow-up tests are 4.0 pCi/L or higher.

How to mitigate radon in your home:

1. Hire a qualified licensed residential radon mitigation contractor.
   You can find a list of qualified licensed residential radon mitigation contractors for Missouri at: http://www.radongas.org/mitigation_template/MO.shtml
2. Do it yourself:
   To install a DIY radon system requires a variety of skills and some very special knowledge. Yes a radon mitigation system is really quite simple by design, but a poorly installed system could actually make your level worse. Here are a list of books to help you install a home radon mitigation system correctly: http://www.radonattahoe.com/doityourself.htm    

Find more information on radon in Missouri at http://mo-radon.info. This site contains county levels, inspectors, mitigators and more. Or talk to The Boehmer Team about their preferred radon inspectors for your area.