Blog written by Laura S. Rossinow, Broker/agent/ Keller Williams Realty

You are in the process of buying that dream home and you have just discovered that the radon levels are elevated. Now the thought crosses your mind…we have to keep looking and I really wanted this home. So buy it!

STOP AND DON’T PANIC!!!

Radon is everywhere! Arm yourself with the appropriate information to still buy your dream home and correct the elevated levels with a relatively simple fix such as a properly designed mitigation system. After 24 hours and before 30 days after a properly designed radon mitigation system is installed, test the house again to assure that the levels are within a safe range. EPA guidelines states that 4.0 pCi/L is the maximum action level to mitigate. The World Health Organization states their guidelines are 2.7 pCi/L to mitigate. These once again are guidelines since some homeowners are not comfortable with any elevated readings. This is a personal choice.

Remediating Radon in Your Home

EPA recommends that you fix your home if the radon level is 4.0 pCi/L or more in its assessment of health risks. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that you consider fixing your home if the radon level is between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. EPA’s estimate of 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year due to radon is based on the average radon concentration in American homes, which is about 1.3 pCi/L. The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is 0.4 pCi/L, or 1/10 of EPA’s 4 pCi/L action level.

There are several proven mitigation methods for reducing radon in your home, but the one primarily used is a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vent it to the outside. This system, known as a soil suction radon reduction system, does not require major changes to your home. Sealing foundation cracks and other openings makes this kind of system more effective and cost-efficient. Similar systems can also be installed in houses with crawl spaces.

Together, Laura and David Rossinow are trying to enlighten the public about the harmful affects radon gas can have and a simple test can determine if elevated levels are present. Call us today to find out more about radon testing and how to schedule your test.

How Radon Contractors Can Help

Radon contractors can use other methods that might also work in your home. The right system depends on the design of your home and other factors. See EPA’s Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction. If we find you have elevated radon levels in your home, we will guide you to an NRPP Certified Radon Mitigation/Remediation Contractor.

Radon in Real Estate Transactions

Radon is becoming an important part of the real estate transfer process in Massachusetts. For a thorough discussion of the role of radon in buying and selling homes, see EPA’s Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon.

For further information, please visit my website http://www.radontestinginma.com