Local Radon Hot Spots. Myths and How Dangerous is radon?
Radon is a odorless colorless substance that usually sits in the lowest room in the house (basement). Exposure to elevated levels of radon over time can lead to lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of cancer in Canada and Europe. The scary aspect of radon is people do not know it is present in their home.
Overall approximately 1 in 15 homes have elevated radon levels. Again radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless. You cannot feel the radon and the only way to know if you have elevated radon levels is to test for it. Radon should be tested prior to the home purchase as elevated radon levels are considered a major issue. The radon testing kit is placed on the lowest level of the home during the home inspection. The home inspector will drop 2 testing canisters in the basement for 2-3 days. The radon canisters are then picked up by the home inspector and shipped to NYS certified lab.
If a radon test comes back higher then 4.0 Pcls then a radon mitigation system is recommended. A radon mitigation system installed in a home within saratoga county and surrounding areas typically run between $2000-$3500.
Overall slabs tend to have lower levels of radon as the structure is built on top of the soil. Basements have a higher chance for radon as the basement portion of the structure is under grade (under ground). For more information you can visit New York State Department of Health .
Most of you who are reading this article are probably residing in the Saratoga County or surrounding Counties. Lets take a look at the maps below to see the percentages of homes that are over PCLs in various counties.
The above map indicated the "hot spots" in the red/orange color. Saratoga County NY has a lower percentage of high radon results when compared to Otsego County NY which is covered in high radon. Schenectady County results of radon present are on the lower end.
26 % of Saratoga County Homes tested above the 4.0 pCi/L (pico-curies per liter of air) threshold.
Lets take a look closer at Albany County as Albany county has a hot spot directly in the center of the county.
Elevated findings of radon are tend to pop up right in the middle of Albany County. Remember the colors indicate the PERCENTAGE of homes that had elevated issues not actual level.
Above picture represents Albany County where the percentage of homes that contain levels higher than 4.0 pCi/L.
The picture to the left identifies the cities that are in the hot spot area.
If you are in need of a home inspection within or around the saratoga area radon testing please give us a call!
The Author Adam Clark is the owner and operator of Shield Guard Building Inspection Services. Adam Clark is a local Home Inspector located in Saratoga NY that has performed over 8500 Inspections.
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