See No Evil, Hear No Evil – Check for It if You Haven’t

The EPA estimates that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are radon-related. Radon is a form of ionizing radiation and a proven carcinogen. 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. The risk factors increase significantly if you were or are a smoker. In the DC metro area, we have seen plenty of elevated readings.

Old or new homes can be at risk for dangerous levels of radon. Radon travels up through the ground to the air and enters your home through cracks or holes in the foundation. It can also enter your home through well water. Building materials can give off radon as well. Once trapped inside your home, this odorless gas will build up.

One of the many issues that come up during a real estate transaction is whether or not a radon test  should be done. While we firmly believe that testing for radon is a good idea, whether or not it is done during the course of the real estate transaction is dependent on issues relative to each specific sale.

The only way to know if you or your family is at risk is to test for radon. Testing below the third floor is recommended by both the Surgeon General and EPA.

Once radon problems have been found and fixed, the home sale can usually proceed. Generally, a high radon test result is a fairly easy problem to fix at a cost of $1,000-$1,500. We have worked with several different companies through the years, so contact us if you want more info. Also, the EPA’s own website is a great place to get more info.