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Western Mass Homes Lesley Lambert

radon

Why it is so important to have your Western MA home tested for Radon

epa map of radon levels in maThe EPA estimates that about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are radon-related. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water.

This statistic taken from the EPA’s website on radon quickly summarizes how large of an issue high levels of radon in a home can be.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is all around us. The issue for home owners is that some areas are more likely to have higher levels and some homes are more likely, due to their construction, to contain the gas.

Testing for radon is easy and affordable. You can purchase test kits yourself or hire a home inspector to perform the test for you. EPA recommends that all home owners test their home for radon.

EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that Americans consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. The average radon concentration in the indoor air of America’s homes is about 1.3 pCi/L. It is upon this level that EPA based its estimate of 21,000 radon-related lung cancers a year upon.

I recommend all of my buyer clients have a radon test done as part of their inspection process. Recently a test result in Westfield came back with over twice the levels deemed to be risky. My buyers loved the home and luckily we were able to work out a solution for them to install a mitigation system. In most cases the solution is not overly expensive and easily installed.

Lesley Lambert, Western MA REALTOR with Park Square Realty 413-575-3611

Why do I need To inspect for radon in my new Western MA home? Hint: November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

www.LungCancerAlliance.org
www.LungCancerAlliance.org (Photo credit: teamstickergiant)

The  inspection period of buying a Western MA home is a critical point in this big decision, but it can also feel expensive and stressful.  Due to that, many home buyers start to question if they really need to do all of the inspections they have rights to.  The one that I get asked about most is the radon test.

Since radon is a naturally occurring gas, many people don’t understand why they need to be concerned and more specifically, why they need to test for it.

Why do I need To inspect for radon in my new Western MA home?

The National Cancer Institute gives these key points:

  • Radon is a radioactive gas released from the normal decay of the elements uranium, thorium, and radium in rocks and soil.
  • Radioactive particles from radon can damage cells that line the lungs and lead to lung cancer.
  • Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is associated with 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
  • Testing is the only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels. Health authorities recommend radon testing and encourage corrective action when necessary.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

 

 

Many people think that lung cancer is a smoker’s disease, but 15%percent of those diagnosed every year never smoked, and more than 50 % diagnosed either never smoked or haven’t smoked in years.

The good news is that a high level of radon is a curable issue.  There are systems that can be installed that will virtually remove the problem completely.

From the EPA’s Consumer Guide on Radon:

Radon reduction systems work. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99 percent. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. Your costs may vary depending on the size and design of your home and which radon reduction methods are needed. Get an estimate from one or more qualified radon mitigation contractors. Hundreds of thousands of people have reduced radon levels in their homes.

 

 

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Here is a downloadable guide from the EPA where you can get a full education about radon testing in your home.