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Our View of Radon Testing“Handling radon properly may enhance the real estate transaction - rather than being a deal killer.”- Ralph Holmen, Associate General Counsel, National Associate of Realtors® (NAR)

We agree. Handling radon properly enhances the real estate transaction.Since radon is here to stay and it is a health risk we, as professionals, want to help our clients understand radon and their options.Radon has existed since the beginning of time and occurs in the ground naturally from the breakdown in uranium in the soil. Thecolorless, odorless gas that is drawn into our homes through cracks in the foundation and is undetectable to humans. Accordingto the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) high radon can be found in homes in all 50 states.

What are the Health Risks?According to EPA estimates, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking. Radon is responsible for about21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. On January 13, 2005, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a nationalhealth advisory on radon. To understand if a home is at risk of high radon concentrations we recommend radon testing by a professional.

Which Homes Need Testing?High radon can be found in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements

and homes without. Even homes right next door to each other canhave different concentrations of radon. According to the EPA,elevated levels of radon-- more that 4.0 pCi/L (pico curies per liter)have been found in every state. Recommending a radon test by aprofessional will protect buyers both from the potential healtheffects of living in a home with high radon and from the financialimpact of paying for a mitigation system should their home test highwhen they sell it.

How Does Radon Testing Work?A testing device is set in the home to monitor the radon concentration over a period of time (usually 2-5 days). Then, theresults are analyzed by a professional. Radon testing is not

obtrusive to the homeowner, the testing device is typically placed in an area that won’t impact the current owners. Normal exitand entry to the home is permitted during testing, but the testing professional will advise the homeowner of simple steps to takefor “closed house conditions” to ensure the radon test is conducted properly. An expert will evaluate your test and will adviseyou of the radon level in your home.

What if the Radon Test Indicates a High Concentration?The good news is that even if a home has high radon levels, radon mitigation is relatively simple. Qualified radon mitigation contractors can install a radon mitigation system that provides a permanent solution. A typical radon mitigation system includes asuction point that addresses the soil under the structure. A pipe is sealed in the home, which forms a suction point. The pipe isrouted out of the structure and terminated about the eave line. A continuously operating fan is placed in the pipe outside the living area. The fan maintains suction on the soil under the structure, thus preventing the structure from drawing the radonindoors. Typical radon mitigation systems can cost between $800 and $2500 depending on your home’s structure and the contractor selected to perform the work.

For more information about radon, call us. We know radon.

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