Radon Health AdvisorySurgeon General's health advisory...
Learn how to test your home for radon gas... Radon Gas... You can't see or smell it, but you do have it. How can I make such a statement? Because it is a natural occurring gas that emanates from the soil, ground water and even the oceans of the world. Thus a zero level is not a possibility. Regrettably the chances are great that your indoor radon level in your home is higher than out on the back porch. Why is this case?...Well how do we build houses? 
We dig a hole in the ground in order to place the foundation for a building in it. We have in effect taken the cork out of a portion of the earth.Yes the top soil and vegetation serves as a cap for the earth. Next we build a dwelling that is as air tight as possible. So we have just corked the bottle with our house and we now live inside of it. All appears to be safe and secure. But houses do breathe. Actually a house is like a big vacuum cleaner. Think of it this way...We heat our homes in the winter. Where does the warm air go? Yes, it rises up through the roof, thus a portion of this air is replaced or suctioned into our homes from the ground. This condition also occurs whenever the wind blows or the barometric pressure changes. The result is that soil gases in the vicinity of of your basement will enter your home through cracks and penetrations in the basement floor and walls. What should you do? Please test your home! Radon is a radioactive gas!
I can't begin to tell you how many people that just can not bring themselves to do this simple inexpensive 2-7 day test. Why? Here might be a couple of reasons.
My dear Mom remarried some years back. Her new husband had just lost his wife of many years to lung cancer, who by the way, never smoked or even worked outside of the home. Mom and Ralph lived happily for about 10 years. He developed heart problems and passed away. After a year or so, Mom decided to sell the house that Ralph and his former wife had lived in for 30+ years... The new buyer had a test done and the level came back at 14pCi/L more than 3 times the EPA's action level of 4pCi/L. Needless to say, Mom has a new worry added to her life after spending 12+ years in that house. She did though have a short-term charcoal test done before buying her new home and had the seller mitigate the house before she purchased it. The level was 12pCi/L. Mom is now well informed on the dangers of this cancer causing gas. Sad to say this is what it takes to get some people's attention. |
