Ruling Out Radon
Winter is almost here and the heating season is in full swing. This is a perfect time to test homes and other buildings for the presence of radon.
Radon is an odorless, colorless tasteless, naturally occurring radioactive gas formed by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rocks and water. Elevated levels of radon have been found in all types of homes in every county of Vermont. Unless you test for radon, there is no way to know if it is present in a home.
Testing for radon is important because more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths a year in the US are attributable to prolonged exposure to radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country.
Houses can act like large chimneys, with warm air rising and escaping out of the upper floor windows and through cracks in the attic. This creates a vacuum at the lowest level of the house, which can pull radon from the ground beneath the home and into the building through cracks or spaces around pipes passing through the walls or floor.
Short term radon test kits are sold in many hardware stores and by the Vermont Health Department Laboratory (1-800-660-9997). Short term tests typically give a result based on the radon level in the building over a 48 hour period. Short term tests are the quickest way to screen your home for a potential radon problem. Short term tests must be analyzed soon after testing is complete.
A long term (3-12 months) test gives a better reading of the home’s average radon level. Because radon levels fluctuate from day to day and season to season, long term radon results are more representative of year round average levels.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency radon testing guidelines, the kits should be placed in the lowest lived-in space of the home. Test kits should be located at least 20 inches above the floor, where there is normal air circulation. Testing should not be done in a kitchen, or in a bathroom, because environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity can affect the results. Testing instructions should always be followed carefully because results obtained may influence a real estate purchase and sales agreement, or incur the expense of a mitigation.
Many Vermonters may not be aware that long term test kits are available free from the Fairbanks Museum and the Vermont Department of Health. This service has been available for approximately 20 years. During this time more than10,000 homes, schools, offices and other buildings from all regions of the State, have been tested for radon at great savings to Vermonters.
Free long term tests and instructions are available from the Vermont Dept. of Health (1-800-439-8550 or www.healthvermont.gov), or from the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium (1-802-748-2372 ext 105 or www.fairbanksmuseum.org). The Radon program site is located under “Explore” on the Museum website’s home page.
It is important to know that exposure to radon is preventable and fixable. Through proper venting techniques, radon levels can be reduced. A certified radon mitigator can install a radon reduction system ranging in price from $800-$2,500. A list of certified mitigators in Vermont can be obtained from the Health Department.
Although fixable, it’s cheaper to install radon resistant features during the construction of a new home than to fix the problem later. The cost to install such features during construction is usually between $100 and $500. As consumers are becoming more aware of the health risks of radon, more builders are implementing these techniques. These features can also decrease moisture and other soil gases from entering the home reducing molds, mildews, methane, pesticide gases, volatile organic compounds and other indoor air quality problems. Builders who offer homes with radon-resistant features can gain a marketing advantage and attract more potential home buyers.
Isobel P. Swartz is Radon Program Coordinator at the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium.
