Radon Gas…
You may or may not have heard of Radon gas. If you’re selling or buying a house in Montana, it’s likely your home inspector will perform a radon test in the house. If your home inspector is not planning to do a radon test, we strongly suggest that you insist one is performed! While radon is not common in all areas of the country, it is prevalent in most of Montana. Based on years of testing data, it is estimated that between 50% and 65% of all homes in NW Montana have radon levels over the EPA recommended mitigation level of 4.0 pCi/L.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is everywhere. The average outdoor level is 0.4 pCi/L, and the average indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L. Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium and radium deep underground. Through cracks in the rock caused by continuous minor earthquake activity and different soil types, the gas escapes to the surface, and into your home. Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, and can only be measured by testing. The radon level in your neighbor’s house is not necessarily indicative of the radon level in your house. The only way to know how much radon is in your house is to test for it. It is not true that radon can be blocked with a vapor barrier or any other type of product or sealant. When broken down to the atomic level, radon particles pass through everything including concrete. ALL types of construction are affected by radon gas, not just basements. Radon is documented to be the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, causing approximately 21,000 deaths each year.
For more information about Radon, click on the links below and surf around.
http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html#area
The Facts About Radon Gas - It's Deadly
The Truth About Granite, Radon, and Radiation
Contact Us
HOUSE DETECTIVES, INC.
P.O. Box 357
Kalispell, Montana 59903
Office – 406-756-3636