Radon

Radon is a natural radioactive gas produced from decaying uranium in the earth's crust. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed guidelines and placed limits on how much Radon gas humans can safely be exposed to.

Radon gases can enter a house several different ways: cracks in the foundation, through drain tiles, or in well water. As the house heats up, or is ventilated through open doors and windows, movement of air shifts upwards causing air from the basement and surrounding areas to draw in and expose radon gas.

As radon decays, the atom explodes sending off alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. The gamma rays and beta particles are harmless. However, the alpha particles damage living cells. Radon decay particles stick to lung tissue. Exposure to high concentrated levels of radon gas can cause lung cancer. As with most respiratory ailments, smokers are at a greater risk than non-smokers.

Overall, according to EPA statistics, radon gas is present in one out of every seven houses. What houses should be tested? There are no special criteria to identify houses that should be tested. Your neighbor may have elevated levels of radon gas present while you may not and vice versa. Additionally, a test of a house may show very low levels now but there are no guarantees that radon levels will stay that way.

Of the many different methods of radon testing for a real estate sale, the best is a continuous monitor set for 48 hours as suggested by the EPA.

For more information: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs