23Feb/107
We Just Bought A House With Radon Gas Measuring 5.5, Is That Bad?
I know the average is 4.0, but our realtor says she has sold houses with measures of 16. Will this harm the resale of our house in a few years? Is this also a concern for small children or even renting out the house? We can't go back on our offer, so i'd like to also know ways in which to help this situation, the seller says they will install a vent system, but i hear that isn't effective.
February 23rd, 2010 - 06:06
Seems high, get it checked for long term instead of short. goodluck.
February 23rd, 2010 - 06:19
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set the acceptable level of radon at 4 Picocuries Per Liter. Houses that measure in excess of that should be treated to get the measurement down at least to that level.
I have DIY installed venting systems on two houses I owned and found that it was not too difficult to get these houses down from 10 – 15 readings to below 4. In both cases, I used a continuously running fan that connected to a 4″ PVC pipe which ducted the collected air outside. I would think that it would be fairly easy to reduce from 5.5 to 4, but that will depend on the characteristics of the basement in the house you have purchased.
I believe that many states prohibit sale of a house that has not been brought within the limit.
Lots of info on the web about this – checkout http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.h…
February 23rd, 2010 - 06:52
The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L; roughly 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more than outdoor levels. While this goal is not yet technologically achievable for all homes, radon levels in many homes can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below.
Sometimes short-term tests are less definitive about whether the home is at or above 4 pCi/L; particularly when the results are close to 4 pCi/L. For example, if the average of two short-term tests is 4.1 pCi/L, there is about a 50% chance that the year-round average is somewhat below 4 pCi/L.
However, EPA believes that any radon exposure carries some risk; no level of radon is safe. Even radon levels below 4 pCi/L pose some risk. You can reduce your risk of lung cancer by lowering your radon level.
As with other environmental pollutants, there is some uncertainty about the magnitude of radon health risks. However, we know more about radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances. This is because estimates of radon risks are based on data from human studies (underground miners). Additional studies on more typical populations are under way.
Your radon measurement will give you an idea of your risk of getting lung cancer from radon. Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:
Your home’s radon level;
The amount of time you spend in your home; and
Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked.
Smoking combined with radon is an especially serious health risk. If you smoke or are a former smoker, the presence of radon greatly increases your risk of lung cancer. If you stop smoking now and lower the radon level in your house, you will reduce your lung cancer risk.
Based on information contained in the National Academy of Sciences 1998 report, The Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Radon, your radon risk may be somewhat higher than shown; especially if you have never smoked. It’s never too late to reduce your risk to lung cancer. Don’t wait to test and fix a radon problem. If you are a smoker, stop smoking.
February 23rd, 2010 - 07:37
The average isn’t 4.0, that’s the government limit. Anything over 4.0 is considered to be unhealthy/health risk for lung cancer. 5.5 may become an issue for a resale in the future. An active vent system may reduce radon levels. Why is it too late to back out of the offer? Was the radon report available before or after you made the offer? If it was before, then yes your offer is still valid. If no, then you have a valid reason to back out of the deal.
February 23rd, 2010 - 08:26
That is over the standard for being safe, I would get a professional in to seal your basement as soon as possible, keep your house ventilated until you get it sealed it is not safe to close up the house with levels that high.
February 23rd, 2010 - 08:57
5.5 what? Please add unit of measure.
February 23rd, 2010 - 09:37
Why didn’t you ask us this before you bought your house, it’s a little moot now. All you can do is have the seller put in an active ventilation system, not just a few vents and continue to monitor the levels. RScott