What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soils, rock, and water throughout
the U.S. Long term exposure to radon can cause an increased risk of developing lung cancer, and is a threat to health because
it tends to collect in homes, sometimes to very high concentrations.
Can I reduce the levels of radon in a
home?
The best news about radon is that it can be reduced, either before you buy the home, or after you buy
it and move in. There are several companies in Summit County who specialize in radon mitigation.
How
do you test radon levels?
We can test radon levels using our electronic continuous radon monitors. Following
EPA protocol, we place our testing device in the lowest living area of the home for no less than 48 hours. We ask the
owners to leave doors and windows shut to provide the most accurate reading. This test is called a short-term test.
Low cost test kits are also available at hardware stores. These radon test “canisters” are placed
in a home for typically 72 hours, then, sent to a lab for test results.
How should I approach radon
testing in my search for a new home?- Find the house you want to buy.
- As part of the
home inspection process, request a short-term radon test, using a qualified radon measurement professional.
- If
the short-term test result is 4.0 pCi/L or highter, then consider asking the seller to fix it, or consider purchasing the
home and performing a long-term test to determine what the actual exposure is.
- Once you decide to reduce
the radon in the house, seek bids from qualified contractors who are willing to guarantee and warranty results.
- Use
bids from contractors to either fix the home prior to moving in, or after you take possession. Bids can be used as a
basis for negotiations or even establishing escrow funds that can be used to mitigate the house once elevated levels have
been confirmed with a long term test.
For more information, go to the State of Colorado’s Radon Website or read the EPA's A Citizen's Guide to Radon.
The above information is provided in part by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
