Kathy Wall

Environmental Issues When Buying Real Estate – Part II
August 31, 2009 · · 4 Comments

In a recent article, I covered many of the important facts that homeowners should know about asbestos.   Today, I will be talking about a little known environmental concern called “Radon.”   

Radon is an odorless gas that you can’t smell and/or taste.   And, unfortunately, it is the second leading cause of of lung cancer.   According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Basically, radon is a radioactive gas.   It is caused by the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soil.  It moves into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.   It can, also, enter your home through well water.   

In some cases, certainly not all, granite counter tops are known to contain dangerous levels of radon.    There is no need to panic if you have granite counters, but it is a good idea to test their radon levels.  

It is very easy to test for radon.   There are several short term tests that can be purchased at your local hardware store.  They are easy to use and can let you know if you have a problem within a very short period of time.   The EPA recommends that everyone test for radon, whether they are in an old or new home.   

If you take the short term test and your result is 4 pCi/L or higher, you should take a follow up test just to be sure.   And, if it comes back high a second time, then you should contact the EPA and do the long term test.  

If you are doing renovation of your home, such as converting an unfinished basement to living space, it is especially important to test the radon levels since major renovations can change the radon levels of any home.

There are ways to lower the radon levels of your home.   One such method is to use a vent pipe system and a fan.   These pull the radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside.   It is called a soil suction radon reduction system.    Before beginning any repairs, it is wise to consult the state radon office for advice and recommendations.  

Home sellers would be well advised to check out their radon levels before putting the house on the market, since more and more buyers are asking about it.    In addition, every person who purchases new construction should definitely check their radon level prior to occupying the home.

For more details on the information contained in this article, please check out the EPA’s website at:  www.epa.gov/radon/.

 

Kathy Wall

(415) 608-4168

www.michaelandkathy.com