Unique Original Articles » What is Radon Gas?

The Environmental Protection Agency has a brochure all about radon that has been excerpted here for faster reading. The complete publication can be read on the Environmental Protection Agency web site.

This gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the ground, granite and water. It travels naturally into the air. Ventilation is the easiestmost normal of mitigating radon in a property.

Should you test the property youare buying Sure, why not. But, don't make it mre of a concern than other parts of the construction. It could be something that this property needs to have addressed. The tests are inexpensive, and treatment is simple if you find a higher than acceptable level. There is a map available to see if you are in an "active area".

Would you bu a house with evidence of radon gas? If you are comfortable with the level, and/or how it is treated, sure. But, look at the results of a test the way you do for any other part of your home inspection. As an example, if there are wood destroying bugs that can be eliminated, would you still purchase the property? Remember, replacing a roof will cost you more than most other repairs.

Test kits which are placed in the home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device, give the fastest results. "Charcoal canisters," "alpha track," "electret ion chamber," "continuous monitors," and "charcoal liquid scintillation"detectors are most commonly used for short-term data collection. Short-term tests are more often used to find out what the level of radon is at a given time, and less useful in measuring year-round average radon level. For fast results, two short term tests in a relatively short time span will give good information. Testing once is the most common practice, except in areas already known for radon.

Long term research methods take an average of 3 months, and will give more information about an annual average level of saturation.

The "acceptable" measureable level is below 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter of air). Just read your report that the test company gives you to see what the level is in your property.

Other facts:
Smoking increases the problems caused by radon.
About 0.4 pCi/L is normally found in the outside air in any location.
Sometimes radon is found in water from a well, but this is not considered to be a hazzard.

States with new laws and regulations about radon gas: New York, New Jersey

Happy real estate-ing!
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