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Should you test for Radon?

Real Estate Agent

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Radon is a cancer causing element rising from the ledge that many homes are built on. Should radon be found in a home it can be resolved with an abatement system generally installed in the basement. During a time when buyers are generally crunched for funds, buyers might view this inspection as unneccessary. Consider this though, what happens when you sell your home and your buyer does test for it? Would you regret not doing it then?

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July 18 2007 - US

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Acee
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Acee

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If there is any doubt on the condition of a home I advise a home inspection every time

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July 18 2007

Julia Malik, "julia_1"
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Julia Malik, "julia_1"

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I agree. Unfortunately, an impeccable home of highest structural and mechanical standards can contain radon. Radon is not visible to any of the human senses. It must be collected within a set of very strict guidlines. It is not drinking of the water but rather the existance of it in air that is crucial. It is the steam that comes from those warm and cozy showers that can be deadly. Most of the homes built in CT require blasting. As a result, faults are altered and the poisonous gas escapes eventually making its way through the foundation, into the wells and into our lungs.

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July 18 2007

Jane Noltensmeier, "Jane Noltensmeier"
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Jane Noltensmeier, "Jane Noltensmeier"

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My father died 6 years ago, most likely because he chose to ignore the warnings about testing for radon. Radon is all around us - it's radiation that is generated as organic material decomposes in the dirt. Testing for Radon is really a matter of where you live and the type of home you live in. Basements in cold climates are notorious Radon collectors - the gas seeps in through the cracks in the concrete or block walls in the basement and typically, in cold climates, basements are so weather tight the gas can't escape.

In California, where energy efficiency is a low priority, Radon doesn't generally present as big a concern. But, it's always good advice to get an inspection for anything you have concerns about. FYI, the best Radon tests can take a month or more to complete, so as a seller, you may want to run the test and have the results available to potential buyers. If you find you have a problem, this will also give you ample time to install an appropriate ventillation system before your sale removing a potential objection from buyers.

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July 20 2007

MovedNorth
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MovedNorth

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I had the home I recently bought tsted and it tested to a 4. The seller (a rela estate rep. for a home builder) laughed at me and said in all the trnasactions he'd had in RE, no one ever tested for Radon. The Real Estate process is such a slimy business in the area I live in, and RE oushers try rto hype up prices, that are now coming down, down down. i am doing a long-term test of at least 6 months. Do you recdommend longer?

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July 21 2007

Nathan Hall
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Nathan Hall

Raleigh, NC

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Some areas of the country have more of a radon problems than others. It all depends on the soil makeup and geology of your location. If it is considered common practice in your area, by all means recommend or perform a radon test.

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July 22 2007

Robin Lynch, "robin398"
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Robin Lynch, "robin398"

West Harrison

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Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can?t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims about 20,000 lives annually. EPA has launched a new series of television, radio and print public service announcements encouraging people to test and fix their homes for radon. This is a good time to focus on testing and on fixing homes with a radon level of 4 pCi/L or more. Heed the Surgeon General's warning. Take action now to reduce your family's risk of lung cancer from radon!

Radon Public Service Announcements (PSAs)

EPA has released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign for radon. The campaign features the U.S. Surgeon General's warning that radon causes lung cancer and that you should test your home. These TV, radio and print PSA
materials are available in English and Spanish.

Exposure to Radon Causes Lung Cancer In Non-smokers and Smokers Alike

Lung cancer kills thousands of Americans every year. The untimely deaths of Peter Jennings and Dana Reeve have raised public awareness about lung cancer, especially among people who have never smoked. Smoking, radon, and secondhand smoke are the leading causes of lung cancer. Although lung cancer can be treated, the survival rate is one of the lowest for those with cancer. From the time of diagnosis, between 11 and 15 percent of those afflicted will live beyond five years, depending upon demographic factors. In many cases lung cancer can be prevented; this is especially true for radon.

Studies Find Direct Evidence Linking Radon in Homes to Lung Cancer
Two studies show definitive evidence of an association between residential radon exposure and lung cancer. Two studies, a North American study and a European study, both combined data from several previous residential studies. These two studies go a step beyond earlier f

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July 22 2007

Andy
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Andy

Seattle, WA

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Here's a great EPA resource for radon information: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

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July 22 2007

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Should you test for Radon?

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