What Homes Have Radon?
More consumers ask, “What homes have radon?” before purchasing a house. This is a critical issue, as real estate sales can be fast-paced and leave little time to deal with problems. To determine if a home has radon, the home’s lowest level must be finished and not require renovation. An EPA-certified laboratory must conduct the test. Radon test kits are available for low prices and can be used to check radon levels in your home.
EPA recommends treating homes with radon levels between 2 and 4 ppCi/L
EPA guidelines suggest treating homes with radon levels between two and four ppCi/L. EPA action levels are lower than regulatory limits, but remediation is recommended above this threshold. If you find that your home has a radon level of more than four ppCi/L, you should contact a professional to get it treated.
You can choose between two kinds of radon tests: short-term and long-term follow-up tests. The former provides the year-round average radon levels, while the latter gives quick results. If your initial short-term test result is high, you must get a second, longer-term test. However, if the long-term follow-up test results are low, you need to consider mitigation.
EPA recommends treating homes with radon between 2 and four ppCi/L. The EPA also recommends re-testing homes with radon levels between two and four ppCi/L. These tests are recommended for homes with radon levels between two and four pCi/L. Although they are not mandatory, they are still a good idea for homes in areas where radon is a problem.
The EPA estimates the risks associated with radon exposure are relatively low and can be avoided if a home is treated correctly. A high level of radon exposure poses a risk of lung cancer. The EPA uses the BEIR IV report to determine the risks. These risk estimates are based on a study of people in the United States with an average indoor radon level of 1.3 pCi/L. If your home has above these levels, EPA recommends treating homes with a radon mitigation system.
Radon levels in homes are continually fluctuating. Seasonality is a factor, with radon levels higher in winter than summer. The temperature in the house creates a stronger vacuum than outside soil, which traps radon. During heavy rain or snow, radon levels also tend to spike. If the radon levels are consistently high, mitigation is necessary.
Test kits available for low cost
You don’t have to spend much money to get a radon test kit. You can purchase a quality one with an internal battery and power source. A good one will take a 48 to 72-hour reading. A professional radon tester will charge anywhere from $75 to $200 for this test. Choosing a radon test kit depends on your needs, budget, and circumstances.
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is found in many homes. Radon is known to cause lung cancer, the number one cause of death from lung cancer among nonsmokers. Most radon test kits cost less than $100 and complete instructions. After you send it back, you’ll receive a report from a certified laboratory in New Jersey. If you are concerned about the presence of radon in your home, you should consider getting a test kit today.
Short-term tests are also an option. These take three to seven days and must be conducted in a closed home. They use an activated carbon test, which can come in a plastic canister, glass vial, or paper pouch. Contact your state’s radon office to get a low-cost radon test kit. After getting your test kit, please place it in a low-livable home area and wait 48 to 96 hours. Once the sample has been exposed to the gas for some time, please send it to a lab for testing. They’ll deliver you a report within a few days.
Short-term and long-term tests are available on the National Radon Program Services website. Short-term radon test kits are available for less than $100. They contain the necessary instructions to perform the test and expire five years from the date of manufacture. Long-term kits must be returned to the manufacturer in Illinois. When you decide to get a long-term radon test kit, you’ll pay around $120.
Long-term radon test kits use the same technology but require your home to remain closed for the entire 48-hour period. The sample is sent to a lab for testing using the single-use radon test kits. These kits are usually more accurate than short-term ones but may also result in false readings. Buying the fitting radon test kit will give you a radon test that meets your needs.
Familiar sources of radon in Maine
Approximately 40% of homes in Maine receive their household water from a private well. Owners of these wells are responsible for the safety of the water they provide to their homes. The Maine Real Estate Market has a significant role in educating homeowners about the health risks of radon gas. It is also crucial that the state develop a public health campaign to increase public awareness. By making this information more accessible, individuals can take action to combat the problem.
Public water sources in Maine are safe. Most municipal wells draw from low-radon groundwater aquifers. Nevertheless, public water stands for a short period before being consumed. Some of the radon decays during this time. While construction materials are not significant sources of radon in Maine homes, pegmatites (rocks similar to granite) can contribute to elevated radon levels.
In addition to soil, radon can enter homes through air and water. The EPA recommends that all homes be tested for radon, regardless of location. Maine has higher levels than other areas of the United States, particularly in northern New England. And radon can also enter the human body through drinking water. Regardless of geographic location, radon should be tested for all homes. It is important to note that radon levels vary by zone.
Researchers at the University of Maine looked at the contribution of domestic water use to airborne radon exposure. They analyzed data from 68 homes to determine the proportion of water-derived airborne radon. The results revealed that water-derived radon is responsible for approximately 32% of the chronic airborne radon in homes in Maine. The balance is due to soil-based radon. Researchers noted that fourteen out of the 68 homes had levels greater than 50% of the total airborne radon.
While radon is inert, its progeny – a series of metals formed from it – are active. As a result, they attach to airborne particles and furniture. They even adhere to surfaces and air passageways. And about 30% of these particles eventually make their way into your lungs. If you suspect that your home contains radon, it is essential to contact a radon mitigation professional as soon as possible.
Signs of high radon levels in Maine homes
Radon gas can be a source of high air quality in areas where wells are used for water supply. In addition to soil, radon can also enter a building through the water supply. Maine homes may have high radon levels due to sound water contamination. Although some building materials may contain traces of radon, these substances rarely cause problems. Therefore, it is critical to test your home for radon levels to ensure your health and safety.
As radon can enter your home through small cracks in the foundation, you should have your home tested for its radon level. Homes built near granite or ledge deposits are more susceptible to radon problems than those built on sandy or clay soils. It is essential to test the air of all Maine homes to determine whether they are at risk. Although radon levels fluctuate throughout the year, they are typically at their highest during the heating season.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas created by the decay of uran in granite and ledge. The gas is harmless if it is not inhaled, but exposure to high levels can lead to lung damage and cancer. As radon naturally occurs in Maine soils, homes and buildings are the most common source of radon exposure. Although radon can enter a home through the water supply, it is most commonly found in homes.
While radon is not a common problem in Maine, it is a severe issue in some parts of the country. According to new household survey data, only one in three homes in Maine has been tested for radon. Despite its profound threat to health, it is not necessary to take immediate action. You may be exposed to radon for decades before realizing you have a problem.
Even if you have no symptoms, the combination of radon and cigarette smoke can cause lung cancer. Because radon cannot be seen or smelled, the only way to know if you’re exposed to the gas is to test for it. The EPA has published an excellent Citizen’s Guide to Radon and provides a comprehensive list of precautions. The EPA also recommends that landlords test their rental properties.
