Feature Articles
Bobbi Hauptmann, Environmental Design, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia
Families spend most of their time indoors during the winter months. According to Greg Crable of the US EPA, radon levels will change depending on weather, not necessarily temperature - but anytime of the year is a good time to think about testing your home. Along with your other New Year resolutions, why not add “Test my home for radon”? Testing your home is simple and convenient with kits that can be purchased at most home improvement and retail stores for approximately $15.
Why would you want to test your home? You cannot see, smell, or even taste the cancer-causing, radioactive gas, but it may be a problem within your home. Testing is the only way to determine if you are at risk. Before calling the professionals in, certified radon contractor, J. P. Miller suggests buying two home tests kits, to use simultaneously to help rule out error. Activated charcoal tests take two to three days, and then the packets are sent to the manufacturer for your results. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions specifically to ensure accurate results.
The EPA recommends that homes with levels of 4 picocuries or more should be fixed to prevent the gas from accumulating indoors. If your test results are at this level, it is recommended that you hire a qualified tester for further analysis and recommendations on ways to reduce the radon levels in your home. Radon levels can be reduced by up to 99% with proven methods that can be as simple as sealing cracks in your foundation and other openings. Radon contractors can help with the correct system, depending upon the design of your home.
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family and your family are safe. It is easy, inexpensive, and should only take a few minutes of your time.
More information on on may be found in the University of Missouri Extension Ag Guide Radon: An Indoor Health Hazard?
1) Sources:
http://www.epa.gov/radon/rnactionmonth.html,
2) Phone interview, January 20, 2005, Randy Crable, US EPA Region 7
3) Phone interview, January 20, 2005, J.P. Miller, Certified Radon
Mitigator
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Last update: Thursday, November 08, 2007
