Apprehensive about buying a new home because of kids and high radon levels?

Question

I posted this yesterday and didn't get many answers so I thought I would try again this morning. Thinking about buying a house with high levels of radon. The test showed a level around 10. We think the high level is due to the fact the house has been abandoned for a couple months but there is a mitigation system installed. We have turned it on and are going to retest. Even if the system works and reduces the levels below 4 my wife and I are a bit hesitant as we want to use our basement as a playroom for our kids. Anyone out there with a similar situation? Anyone currently live in a house with kids and have a high level of radon but lowered by a mitigation system? We are looking for a little first hand advice. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I understand your concern. I discovered high levels of radon in my house after I bought it. It wasn't a pleasant feeling building up while reading about the dangers. Here is what i did (this is the same answer I gave to another guy asking here). And yes I fully understand since I have small children:



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I had a very similar problem with radon gas in my basement. It is indeed dangerous for your health. The concentration is not measured in percentages (that would be huge and lethal). It is measured in Bq/m3 or in pCi/l. You can find more information here:



http://radon-solution.com/



I investigated the problem and then I implemented a solution like the one described here:



http://handyowner.com/2008/08/17/installing-a-fan-based-radon-mitigation-system/



I did all the work myself and from 8 pCi/l now I got to 0.4 pCi/l. And all for about $350. The price includes



- the fan

- the electronic detector for continuous monitoring (I ordered them online from the first site)

- the equipment rental from Home Depot (drill and bit to put a hole in the concrete slab in the basement)

- pipes



Read about it and act. If you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself there are lots of contractors who can (for a price of course).



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Good luck!

Answer 2

I believe that most houses will test positive for radon because Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring, radioactive noble gas that is formed from the decay of radium. It is one of the heaviest substances that remains a gas under normal conditions and is considered to be a health hazard. Radon is a significant contaminant that affects indoor air quality worldwide. Radon levels fluctuate naturally. An initial test might not be an accurate assessment of a home's average radon level. Transient weather can affect short term measurements Therefore, a high result (over 4 pc/l) justifies repeating the test before undertaking more expensive abatement projects. Measurements between 4 and 10 pc/l warrant a long term radon test. Measurements over 10 pc/l warrant only another short term test so that abatement measures are not unduly delayed. Purchasers of real estate are advised to delay or decline a purchase if the seller has not successfully abated radon to 4 pc/l or less.

Answer 3

Radon causes lung cancer and probably asthma and sixteen other respriatory illnesses. Forget that house and move on.

Answer 4

All good solutions yet Joe is spot on. Make the mitigation gadget a circumstance of purchase. make constructive that that's working, the ranges are secure and the gadget is maintainable over the long term earlier you purchase.