Is a radon mitigation system really necessary?

Radon gas is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), and the EPA recommends radon mitigation for all homes with radon gas levels of 4 pCi/L or higher. That means even a second story could potentially contain high levels of radon.

Is radon a scare tactic?

FOR MORE than a decade, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proclaimed radon a potent carcinogen that causes between 7,000 and 30,000 lung-cancer deaths yearly. Radon is an innocuous element. Colorless, odorless and tasteless, it escapes constantly into the atmosphere.

Do walk out basements have less radon?

While we’ve found that radon levels in homes with walkout basements tend to generally be lower, this is certainly no guarantee that the radon levels will be low. The highest radon level we’ve found at a home with a walkout basement was nearly four times higher than the EPA action level.

What is the main cause of radon problems in the home?

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

Is it hard to sell a house with radon?

Fortunately, it’s not hard to sell a house with radon, provided that you alert potential buyers and mitigate the problem, say Brian Thomas, a top real estate agent in the Denver, Colorado area, with 16 years of experience. “For as much fear and uncertainty as radon causes, there’s an easy fix.”

Is radon a hype?

While radon can pose danger and has the potential to cause lung cancer due to its carcinogenic effects, the hype has been exaggerated and it is anticipated that EPA radon funding will be cut by the Trump administration.

Are radon concerns overblown?

The early warnings may have been overblown, but research since has shown that lung cancer risk from the gas is real. Americans held their collective breath when news of radon, a radioactive gas, seeped into the headlines during the 1980s.

Is it safe to live in a house with radon?

If you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Over time, these radioactive particles increase the risk of lung cancer. It may take years before health problems appear. People who smoke and are exposed to radon are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Does every house have some level of radon?

The simple answer is “yes” – at least trace levels of radon will exist in every home. That will mean an old home, new home, drafty home, well insulated home and homes with and without basements. If any part of your foundation is in direct contact with the soil, it has the potential of having elevated levels.

Does air purifier remove radon?

Yes, air purifiers help with radon gas reduction to some extent. The air purifiers with activated carbon filter technology are highly effective in trapping radon gas.