I'm looking for some input here, preferably from those with experience in the area, or anyone who has had radon mitigation performed. I decided that after a year or so of living in our remodeled family room (that is half below grade) that I would have a radon test done. I did a simple First Alert charcol short term test, and just got the results back, and well, it's a bit worrying. Acceptable levels in the home are no higher than 1.3 P Ci/L. My test came back at 22.4! I'm planning to retest immediately to see if there was an error, but man, at those levels, I'm probably looking a full on mitigation system, I would assume? Is Radon truly a serious issue health wise? I'm not about to risk it, but I am worried that there have been that high of levels in there since we've been in the room for over a year. Are there any factors that could throw off the results?
Radon mitation is a joke, I'm an apprentice plumber... There is more radon in Colorado's free atmosphere, than in Central MN (where I've had to put in Radon systems). No one I know, nor anyone I know knows anyone that has died, or experienced any effects from radon.......though I suppose it does happen.. ....The thing that gets me is: There is a lot of radon in places with heavy granite (like central MN)...but then what's the difference with having a granite counter-top?? (I only have experience with this in Minnesota)
This issue hits close to home for us. One of my best friends lost his father to lung cancer and they attributed the high radon levels in their house. Their house tested in the 40's but from what my wife is saying the 20's are pretty bad. She researched Radon while going to school to be a radiology tech. Anything under 4 P Ci/L was acceptable in 2005 when she wrote her paper. We recently tested ours and it was 3.7.
It's not dumb. I was just curious. I opted out on my 1st home purchase, too. But, I didn't have a basement, then! We did have the testing done on this house. I'm sorry for your issue. I don't know what to tell you....other than good luck.
I probably went overkill on my home inspection. I let the guy do the test and my house is on a slab. Never can be too safe I guess. Matt, good luck man! I hope you're first test was a fluke.
Thanks Finch, I hope it was a fluke, too. Granted, I've only spent time in the room for a year, so hopefully there's no long term health concerns yet.
We have a full mitagation system in our house that was put in by a previous owner. None of our neighbors have it. I asked about it when bought this house and were told that the people we bought the house from had a test with their home inspection and found it. The wanted to finish the basement so that was their concern. Nothing really to add other than I have one.
You might be interested to know that over 20,000 people die from Radon gas in the United States every year. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Second only to cigarette smoking. Most all building supplies including granite countertops and many household items contain trace amounts of radon, but not enough to harm anyone. The major source for harmful levels of radon gas come from the soil under your home. 20,000+ deaths each year doesnt sound like a joke to me.
I know where the major source for harmful levels of radon gas comes from, I help install the venting systems.... 20,000 deaths/yr....you're right not a joke in any case. But those 20,000 deaths were death by Radon (alone)? When the guy(s) selling the products, and teaching to you about radon mitigation and countless contractors tells you the levels that MN is trying to reduce the radon in homes to is ridiculous, you tend to listen. ...but like Finch said "Never can be too safe I guess"
I found an article while researching it last night (can't remember where it was off the top of my head) that had done a small sampling test of those within homes with varying levels of radon over a period of, I believe, 15 years. In homes with levels higher than 10 p Ci/L, they claimed your chances are about 3 in 1000 to develop cancer. Only about 2 in 1000 develop it in homes with levels below 4. The rate for both of these scenarios increases slightly for smokers, obviously. Not sure how much validity there is in those arguments, but I would rather not risk it.
My friends dad was not a smoker, that is what led the doctors to believe they might have a Radon issue. Testing confirmed the high levels and we watched him slowly lose his life, by no means was it a joke to friends and family. I lost one of my best waterfowl hunting buddies to what was attributed to be Radon exposure induced Lung Cancer and would hate to see anyone else go through what we witnessed. PA does have a high concentration with over 40% of houses over the 4 level. Better safe than sorry I would say
Follow-up test results are in. This time it came back at 23.4 pCi/L...looks like it's time to do something about this.
