- Buying a New Home?
- How to Protect Your
Family From Radon
What is Radon?
Radon causes an estimated 14,000 lung
cancer deaths each year. It is the earth's only naturally produced radioactive
gas and comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. You
cannot see or smell radon, but it can become a health hazard when it
accumulates indoors. It can enter your home through cracks and openings in the
foundation floor and walls. When radon decays and is inhaled into the lungs,
it releases energy that can damage the DNA in sensitive lung tissue and cause
cancer.
Why Buy a Radon Resistant
Home?
The techniques work
Simple and inexpensive techniques reduce
radon levels on average by 50%. The techniques may also lower levels of other
soil gases and decrease moisture problems.
It's cost effective
Building in the features is much cheaper
than fixing a radon problem later.
Save money
The techniques described here also make
your home more energy efficient and could provide you an average of $65
savings per year in your energy costs.
Upgrade is easy
If high levels of radon are found, a fan
can easily be installed as part of the system for further radon reduction.
How Do the Costs Compare?
Average cost to install
radon-resistant features in
an existing home:
$800 - $2,500
Average cost to install
radon-resistant features during
new home construction:
$350 - $500
What are the Radon Resistant
Features?
The techniques may vary for different
foundations and site requirements, but the basic elements are:
A. Gas Permeable
Layer
This layer is placed beneath the slab or flooring system to allow the
soil gas to move freely underneath the house. In many cases, the
material used is a 4-inch layer of clean gravel. |
 |
B. Plastic
Sheeting
Plastic sheeting is placed on top of the gas permeable layer and under
the slab to help prevent the soil gas from entering the home. In
crawlspaces, the sheeting is placed over the crawlspace floor. |
C. Sealing and
Caulking
All openings in the concrete foundation floor are sealed to reduce soil
gas entry into the home. |
D. Vent Pipe
A 3- or 4-inch gas-tight or PVC pipe (commonly used for plumbing) runs
from the gas permeable layer through the house to the roof to safely
vent radon and other soil gases above the house. |
E. Junction Box
An electrical junction box is installed in case an electric venting fan
is needed later. |
Did You Know?
- Radon is the second leading cause of
lung cancer after smoking.
- High radon levels have been found in
every state.
- Levels can vary widely, even from
home to home in the same neighborhood.
- Radon levels can be lowered, and
homes can be built radon-resistant.
What Can You Do?
Simple, inexpensive techniques can be
used to lower radon levels and increase energy efficiency in your new home.
Here are basic steps to follow when buying a new home.
1. Check Your Area's Radon
Potential
Find out if you are buying a home in a
high radon area. The Environmental Protection Agency's map
of radon zones shows which areas have the greatest potential for
elevated indoor radon readings. Homes in places with high radon potential,
called Zone 1 areas, should be built with radon-resistant features.
2. Install a Radon
Reduction System
Talk to your builder about installing
a radon reduction system. You can obtain free copies of the EPA's Model
Standards and architectural drawings and use them to explain the techniques
to your builder. Let your builder know that the radon resistant features can
be easily installed with common building practices and materials.
3. Remember: Test Your
Home
Every new home should be tested for
radon after occupancy. Test your home even if it has the radon resistant
features. Test kits are inexpensive and may be purchased at your local
hardware store. Or simply call the National Safety Council Radon Hotline at
(800) SOS-RADON to order a test kit.
4. If Radon Levels Are
Still High, Activate
If your home tests at 4.0 picocuries
per liter (pCi/L) or above, activate the system by installing an in-line
fan. Call a local radon mitigator about installing the fan. Check with your
state radon office for names of qualified or state certified radon
contractors in your area.
Free Information
Many publications are available to you.
Here are just a few suggestions:
- Home Buyers and Sellers Guide to Radon
- Model Standards and Techniques for
Control of Radon in New Residential Buildings,
developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the building
industry with details on how to install radon-resistant techniques in your
new home.
- Architectural Drawings of
Radon-Resistant Construction Techniques [You can also download a PDF version
of the drawings: "Passive Radon Control Systems for New
Construction," U.S. EPA, Indoor Environments Division, EPA 402-95012,
May 1995. This PDF file includes (for one- and two-family dwellings): 1)
Passive radon control system; 2) Crawlspace radon control system; and, 3)
Additional fan for active system.]
Where To Find Free Information
- National Service Center for
Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ (to
order EPA documents online)
Or call 1-800-490-9198/(513) 489-8695 (fax)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH 45242
- EPA's Radon
Hotline: 1-800-55-RADON (1-800-557-2366)
Also Available
- The Council of American Building
Officials One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code Appendix F also details
radon-resistant techniques. Call (708) 799-2300.
- Order a kit to explain to your builder
the radon resistant techniques from the National Association of Home
Builders. Call the Home Builder
Bookstore at 1-800-223-2665 and order "Building Radon
Resistant Homes: A Builder's Independent Study Kit."
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation
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