The invisible deadly gas known as Radon is a serious problem and a silent killer. Second only to smoking, it's a leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. However, the good news is you can detect radon in your home and remove it quickly and easily.
Radon is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless radioactive gas formed by the natural decay of uranium in soil and rock as it turns into lead. The real danger comes from the collection of the Radon gas in confined spaces. As a result, it is more of an issue in the Midwest and on the east coast where more homes have basements and are sealed tighter for colder weather, the likelihood of it being an issue here in California is much less considering that most homes in the state are constructed on concrete slabs, with greater air circulation.
Radon has recently been found in granite counter-tops, but the chances that they can produce enough gas to affect the health of the home owners is very slim.
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The average Radon level in most homes is 1.3 pCi/L. Anything above a 2 should be corrected and anything above a 4 the EPA recommends immediate action.
Home testing kits for Radon are readily available. Since Radon enters a home slowly it is best to purchase a long term kit which tests the air for 90 days or more and will yield more accurate results. Most long term kits average around $40.00. If you need a test that will produce results faster then you can purchase a $20.00 short-term kit which is a RTCA charcoal canister.
Should you find that your home has a high level of Radon, professional remediation can cost between $800 and $2500, but for the average home they run around $1200 to get the Radon level down below 2 pCi/L.
Property I.D. discloses the EPA's determinations, which are generalized on a countywide basis and provides local determinations where available. These hazard determinations are based on the capacity for the earth to give off the radon gas, but it is actually the design and construction of the house that contributes most to radon exposure. Homes with basements, insulation, and sealed windows are more prone to radon gas buildup inside the house, whereas in warmer climates where air circulation is more common, there is generally a lower risk for radon exposure.