Doesn't anyone care about radon gas?
Q. We recently moved from an area where homebuyers are concerned about radon gas and routinely request radon tests before purchasing property. Where we now live, no one seems to care about radon. It makes me wonder whether radon is really a serious problem at all. Is radon simply a regional problem, or is it even a problem at all?
A. Misinformation and uncertainties abound with regard to radon gas. To establish some guidelines for understanding radon, here's the 25-cent tour:
Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that derives from the atomic decay of radium, a naturally occurring element. It is typically found in soils containing granite, shale and other common rock formations. Because radon is radioactive, concentrated exposures over long periods of time are considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be a significant health hazard. According to the EPA, 14,000 lung cancer deaths per year are attributable to radon exposure in the United States. Among miners who work in subterranean areas, where radon levels are high, higher than normal instances of lung cancer are common.
However, fears associated with radon exposure in homes should be tempered, considering the EPA's dubious role in authoring and amplifying the asbestos scare in recent decades. It should also be noted that EPA statistics do not clearly differentiate between radon exposures involving those who do or do not partake in cigarette smoke. Furthermore, recent radon studies conducted in Europe concluded that there is no correlation between lung cancer and radon exposure in the home.
In areas where little statistical data has been published regarding radon presence, there is very little public interest or response to the subject. In locations where radon has been documented and widely publicized, testing by homeowners and buyers has become commonplace. The only way to know for sure if a particular home does have radon is to have the air tested by an EPA-certified technician. If radon levels are found to be high, this can be mitigated with a specially designed ventilation system.
Q. We are selling our home and the buyers' home inspector found a problem in our heating system. He removed the grills from the forced-air registers and revealed a thick layer of dust inside the air ducts. I suddenly realized that my family has been breathing this disgusting filth, a revolting prospect to say the least, and I'm wondering how to have the ducts cleaned. What do you suggest?
A. Dust build up in forced-air heating ducts is a common source of indoor air pollution and is known to cause adverse health effects in some individuals, especially those who are prone to allergies. Not only is the dust itself a potential respiratory irritant, but air moisture in the dust layer can promote the growth of molds and other microorganisms.
To have your ducts cleaned, contact a licensed heating contractor or a certified chimney sweep. To prevent future dust problems in your heating system, be sure to maintain a clean air filter at all times. In most systems, this can be easily done by homeowners. In some cases, professional assistance may be needed.
• To write to Barry Stone, visit him on the web at www.housedetective.com, or write AMG, 1776 Jami Lee Court, Suite 218, San Luis Obispo, CA 94301.
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