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:
- 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 - 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.
