This resource was created in February 2016 by Brad and Ann Perham, 11 Tavern Hill Road as a guide for our neighbors. We hope that by sharing our experience, we can assist others in navigating the radon question. We moved to Hickory Woods in July 2014 and were advised to test for radon after a year. We tested for radon in August 2015, discovering that we had a level of 23.1 compared to the recommended level of 4 or less. After investigating and learning about radon and mitigation, we had a system installed in December 2015. Our radon level is now at 1.
NOTE that your experience may be different. The resource links below are from reputable organizations and may assist you in learning more about radon.
What is radon?
“Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It forms naturally from the decay (breaking down) of radioactive elements, such as uranium, which are found in different amounts in soil and rock throughout the world. Radon gas in the soil and rock can move into the air….”
Read more from the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/pollution/radon
Radon also occurs in water. Because Hickory Woods does not have well water, we do not need to be concerned.
How are we exposed to radon?
“Radon can enter homes through cracks in floors, walls, or foundations, and collect indoors….Radon levels can be higher in homes that are well insulated, tightly sealed, and/or built on soil rich in the elements uranium, thorium, and radium. Basement and first floors typically have the highest radon levels because of their closeness to the ground.”
Read more from the American Cancer Institute:
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/radon/radon-fact-sheet
What are the health risks?
“The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. …Only smoking causes more cases of lung cancer. If you smoke and you are exposed to elevated radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. … Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years….Breathing radon does not cause any short-term health effects such as shortness of breath, coughing, headaches, or fever….Though some people debate the number of deaths, it is widely agreed that radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer.”
Read more from Kansas State University, Radon Program Services, funded by the EPA:
http://sosradon.org/health-basics
Here in New Hampshire, what are the radon risks?
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has a map [1987-2008] of radon occurrence. Londonderry is in the 30% to 40%: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/pehb/ehs/radon/documents/radon_by_town.pdf
“Although elevated radon levels may be found throughout NH, the north, east and southeastern portions of NH tend to have elevated levels more frequently.” http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/pehb/ehs/radon/categories/faq.htm#faq3
How do I test for radon?
“There are several techniques for measuring radon concentrations, some are for short term scenarios as brief as two days, others are designed to estimate radon concentrations over extended periods of time up to one year in duration. The most common technique is short term testing with passive test devices that collect radon with activated carbon. These devices may be obtained through a number of sources, including local building supply stores and the National Safety Council.”
Read more from the NH Department of Environmental Services: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/pehb/ehs/radon/categories/faq.htm#faq3
We used a First Alert Radon Test Kit, available from many sources:
[February 2016]: Lowe’s for $12.97; Amazon for $10.49, Target online for $10.59, Walmart for $10.48. The cost of the test kit includes the analysis from a lab. You will need to pay around $5 for the postage to mail back the test kit. Results were available within a couple of weeks.
What are acceptable levels of radon?
“State and federal agencies recommend taking steps to lower radon concentrations when those concentrations equal or exceed 4.0 picocuries per liter in the lowest portion of a home.”
Read more from the NH Department of Environmental Services:
http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/pehb/ehs/radon/categories/faq.htm#faq3
How do I treat radon?
“All homes can be fixed… The techniques are straightforward and, for a typical single family residence, can be done in one day by a qualified contractor….Radon reduction requires more than just sealing cracks in the foundation. In many cases, simple systems using underground pipes and an exhaust fan may be used to reduce radon. Such systems are called sub-slab depressurization and do not require major changes to your home. These systems remove radon gas from below the concrete floor and the foundation before it can enter the home. …Sealing cracks and other openings in the floors and walls is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction. Sealing does two things, it limits the flow of radon into your home and it reduces the loss of conditioned air, thereby making other radon reduction techniques more effective and cost-efficient. …Any information that you may have about the construction of your house could help your contractor choose the best system.”
Read more – from the National Program Radon Services at Kansas State University, funded by the EPA http://sosradon.org/Mitigation-basics :
How is my Hickory Woods home constructed concerning radon mitigation?
Preliminary radon mitigation piping is in your cellar. There is a piping system underneath the basement slab. One perforated piping system (holes on one side of the pipe) extends the width/depth of your house and connects to a pipe that emerges through the cellar floor at one corner. This pipe goes up through the interior walls of your living space/first floor, into the attic and out through the roof.
The radon mitigation system indicated for your home will probably be a fan installed in the attic that connects to this sub-basement piping system. The contractor will hardwire the fan in your attic. Codes for certified contractors do not allow the fan to be installed in the basement.
Check to see where the basement pipe is in your cellar. If you have a sunroom, the pipe may be directly under that room. Mitigation for this setup will need to be different because there is no attic above the sunroom. The alternative involves venting the basement pipe directly to the outside of your sunroom. The pipe extends up past the roofline and the fan is installed within the pipe. The original pipe that goes through the roof from the attic is capped off.
Who to call?
Ask for a Certified Radon Contractor. Brad called several contractors and narrowed it down to two companies:
Advanced Radon Mitigation & Water Treatment http://www.radonh2o.com/ 603-644-1207
Coletta Environmental Technologies http://colettaenvirotech.com 603-401-3563
What does the radon mitigation cost?
Quotes given, Fall 2015 (including electrical and sealing cracks in the floor):
Advanced Radon Mitigation & Water: Attic installation: $895 Exterior installation: $1195
Colletta: Attic installation: $695 Exterior installation: $995
Because we have a sunroom and needed to have the exterior vent and fan option, Hickory Woods reimbursed us the difference of $300.
We were very happy with Colletta and recommended them to Mike and Pat Bradley who had the attic installation. We are both quite satisfied. Installation of the system for our home was one person, 3 hours.
What are the radon levels after mitigation?
In August of 2015, our radon levels tested at 23.1. After mitigation in early December, the test result was a level of 1.
Questions?
We are happy to help: 603-402-9655 or annbperham@gmail.com
For a pdf copy of this: radon