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Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. It is an invisible, odorless, atomic gas that occurs from the natural decay and breakdown of uranium. Radon can be found in soils and rocks that contain granite, shale, phosphate and uranium.
Since Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region are known for their rich soils, it is not uncommon to find elevated levels of radon in many Colorado basements.
As the uranium naturally decomposes, the radon moves through the soil toward the earth's surface. Once the radon gas reaches the outdoor air it is safely dissipated into the air. However, if the radon gas seeps into a basement or crawl space through cracks and gaps in the foundation it can become a human health hazard.
Radon is a heavy gas, and therefore it accumulates at the lowest levels of a home. Studies have shown that radon can accumulate in a home to the point where it can become potentially hazardous to humans. The National Academy of Sciences estimates that radon causes 15,000-22,000 deaths each year.
The EPA has recommended that radon levels greater than 4 pCi/L be remediated, while levels below 4 pCi/L are considered to be safe for continuous human exposure.
The mitigation for radon is relatively simple and quite inexpensive. In most cases a sub slab depressurization system will be installed. The installation of the system varies somewhat depending upon the age of the house and whether or not the house is surrounded by a French drain, but the results are the same. The sub slab depressurization system draws air from beneath the slab through a pipe where it is expelled into the air outside of the home.
The typical cost of a sub slab depressurization system ranges from 900 - $1200. The radon mitigation companies I have spoken to tell me that every home can be successfully mitigated, no matter how high the levels of radon are in the home. If you would like more information regarding radon or a copy of the EPA Home Buyers and Sellers Guide to Radon please give me a call.
