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Consumer’s Guide ToRadon Reductionepa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

How tofix yourhome

A Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction

U.S. EPA, 402-K-03-002, Revised February 2003

OVERVIEWReduce Radon Levels In Your HomeRadon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The Surgeon Generaland the EPA recommend testing for radon and reducing radon in homesthat have high levels. Fix your home if your radon level is confirmed to be4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/Lstill pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced. If you smoke and yourhome has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Select A State Certified and/or QualifiedRadon Mitigation ContractorChoose a qualified radon mitigation contractor to fix your home. Start bychecking with your state radon office (see p. 17). Many states requireradon professionals to be licensed, certified, or registered. You can alsocontact private radon proficiency programs for lists of privately certifiedradon professionals in your area. See page 4 for more information.

Radon Reduction Techniques WorkRadon reduction systems work. Some radon reduction systems can reduceradon levels in your home by up to 99%. The cost of fixing a homegenerally ranges from $800 to $2500 (with an average cost of $1200).Your costs may vary depending on the size and design of your home andwhich radon reduction methods are needed. Hundreds of thousands ofpeople have reduced radon levels in their homes.

Maintain Your Radon Reduction SystemMaintaining your radon reduction system takes little effort and keeps thesystem working properly and radon levels low (see p. 13).



YINTRODUCTION

ou have tested your home for radon, but now what? This booklet is forpeople who have tested their home for radon and confirmed that they haveelevated radon levels — 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.This booklet can help you:

Select a qualified radon mitigation contractor to reduce the radon levelsin your home

Determine an appropriate radon reduction method

Maintain your radon reduction system

If you want information on how to test your home for radon, call your state radonoffice (see p. 17) and ask for a copy of either A Citizen's Guide to Radon or, iftesting during a home sale, the Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon. On-lineversions of both documents are also available at http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs.

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HOW RADON ENTERS YOUR HOUSEadon is a naturally occurring radioactivegas produced by the breakdown ofuranium in soil, rock, and water.

Air pressure inside your home is usually lowerthan pressure in the soil around your home'sfoundation. Because of this difference inpressure, your house acts like a vacuum,drawing radon in through foundation cracksand other openings. Radon may also bepresent in well water and can be released intothe air in your home when water is used forshowering and other household uses. In mostcases, radon entering the home through wateris a small risk compared with radon enteringyour home from the soil. In a small numberof homes, the building materials (e.g., graniteand certain concrete products) can give offradon, although building materials rarely

cause radon problems by themselves. In the United States, radon gas in soil is theprincipal source of elevated radon levels in homes.

RADON IS A CANCER-CAUSING,RADIOACTIVE GAS

adon is estimated to cause many thousands of lung cancer deaths each year.In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leadingcause of lung cancer in the United States. Only smoking causes more lung

cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lungcancer is especially high.

WHAT DO YOUR RADON TEST RESULTS MEAN?ny radon exposure has some risk of causing lung cancer. The lower theradon level in your home, the lower your family's risk of lung cancer.The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picocuries of radon per liter

of air," or "pCi/L." Sometimes test results are expressed in Working Levels, "WL,"rather than picocuries per liter of air. A level of 0.02 WL is usually equal to about4 pCi/L in a typical home.

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The U.S. Congress has set a long-termgoal that indoor radon levels be no morethan outdoor levels; about 0.4 pCi/L ofradon is normally found in the outsideair. EPA recommends fixing your homeif the results of one long-term test or theaverage of two short-term tests showradon levels of 4 pCi/L (or 0.02 WL) orhigher. With today's technology, radonlevels in most homes can be reduced to2 pCi/L or below. You may also wantto consider fixing if the level is between2 and 4 pCi/L.

A short-term test remains in your homefor 2 days to 90 days, whereas a long-termtest remains in your home for more than90 days. All radon tests should be takenfor a minimum of 48 hours. A short-term test will yield faster results, but along-term test will give a betterunderstanding of your home’s year-round average radon level.

The EPA recommends two categoriesof radon testing. One category is forconcerned homeowners or occupantswhose house is not for sale; refer toEPA’s pamphlet A Citizen’s Guide toRadon for testing guidance. The secondcategory is for real estate transactions;refer to EPA’s pamphlet Home Buyer’sand Seller’s Guide to Radon, whichprovides guidance and answers to somecommon questions.

SELECTING A RADONTEST KIT

Since you cannot see or smell radon,special equipment is needed to detectit. When you’re ready to test yourhome, contact your state radon office(see p. 17) for information on locatingqualified test kits or qualified radontesters. You can also order test kitsand obtain information from a radonhotline (see p. 17). There are two typesof radon testing devices. Passiveradon testing devices do not needpower to function. These includecharcoal canisters, alpha-trackdetectors, charcoal liquid scintillationdevices, and electret ion chamberdetectors. Both short- and long-termpassive devices are generallyinexpensive. Active radon testingdevices require power to function andusually provide hourly readings and anaverage result for the test period.These include continuous radonmonitors and continuous workinglevel monitors, and these tests maycost more. A state or local official canexplain the differences betweendevices and recommend ones whichare most appropriate for your needsand expected testing conditions.Make sure to use a radon testingdevice from a qualified laboratory.

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WHY HIRE A CONTRACTOR?PA recommends that you have a qualified radon mitigation contractor fix yourhome because lowering high radon levels requires specific technical knowledgeand special skills. Without the proper equipment or technical knowledge,

you could actually increase your radon level or create other potential hazards andadditional costs. However, if you decide to do the work yourself, get informationon appropriate training courses and copies of EPA's technical guidance documentsfrom your state radon office.

WILL ANY CONTRACTOR DO?PA recommends that you use a state certified and/or qualified radonmitigation contractor trained to fix radon problems. You can determine aservice provider’s qualifications to perform radon measurements or to mitigate

your home in several ways. First, check with your state radon office (see p. 17).Many states require radon professionals to be licensed, certified, or registered, andto install radon mitigation systems that meet state requirements. Most states canprovide you with a list of knowledgeable radon service providers doing business inthe state. In states that don’t regulate radon services, ask the contractor if they holda professional proficiency or certification credential, and if they follow industryconsensus standards such as the American Society for Testing and Materials(ASTM) Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in ExistingLow-Rise Residential Buildings, E2121 (March 2001), or the U.S. EPA’s RadonMitigation Standards (EPA 402-R-93-078, revised April 1994). You can contactprivate proficiency programs for lists of privately-certified professionals in yourarea. Such programs usually provide members with a photo-ID card, whichindicates their qualification(s) and the ID-card’s expiration date. For moreinformation on private proficiency programs, visit www.epa.gov/radon/proficiency.html, or contact your state radon office.

HOW TO SELECT A CONTRACTOR

Get EstimatesChoose a contractor to fix a radon problem just as you would choose someoneto do other home repairs. It is wise to get more than one estimate, to ask forreferences, and to contact some of those references to ask if they are satisfied withthe contractors' work. Also, ask your state radon office or your county/stateconsumer protection office for information about the contractors.

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Use this checklist when evaluating and comparing contractors and ask thefollowing questions:

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Will the contractor provide references or photographs, as well as test results of'before' and 'after' radon levels of past radon reduction work?

Can the contractor explain what the work will involve, how long it will take tocomplete, and exactly how the radon reduction system will work?

Does the contractor charge a fee for any diagnostic tests? Although manycontractors give free estimates, they may charge for diagnostic tests. These testshelp determine what type of radon reduction system should be used and in somecases are necessary, especially if the contractor is unfamiliar with the type of housestructure or the anticipated degree of difficulty. See "Radon ReductionTechniques" (p. 8) for more on diagnostic tests.

Did the contractor inspect your home's structure before giving you an estimate?

Did the contractor review the quality of your radon measurement results anddetermine if appropriate testing procedures were followed?

Compare the contractor's proposed costs and consider what you get for yourmoney, taking into account: (1) a less expensive system may cost more to operateand maintain; (2) a less expensive system may have less aesthetic appeal; (3) a moreexpensive system may be best for your house; and, (4) the quality of the buildingmaterial will affect how long the system lasts.

Do the contractors' proposals and estimates include:

YES NO

Proof of state certification and/or professional proficiency or certificationcredentials?

Proof of liability insurance and being bonded, and having all necessary licenses tosatisfy local requirements?

Diagnostic testing prior to design and installation of a radon reduction system?

Installation of a warning device to caution you if the radon reduction system is notworking correctly?

Testing after installation to make sure the radon reduction system works well?

A guarantee to reduce radon levels to 4 pCi/L or below, and if so, for how long?

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The ContractAsk the contractor to prepare a contract before any work starts. Carefully readthe contract before you sign it. Make sure everything in the contract matches theoriginal proposal. The contract should describe exactly what work will be done

prior to and during the installationof the system, what the system consistsof, and how the system will operate.Many contractors provide a guaranteethat they will adjust or modify thesystem to reach a negotiated radonlevel. Carefully read the conditionsof the contract describing theguarantee. Carefully consideroptional additions to your contractwhich may add to the initial cost ofthe system, but may be worth the

extra expense. Typical options might include an extended warranty, a service plan,and/or improved aesthetics.

Important information that should appear in the contract includes:

The total cost of the job, including all taxes and permit fees; how much,if any, is required for a deposit; and when payment is due in full.

The time needed to complete the work.

An agreement by the contractor to obtain necessary permits and followrequired building codes.

A statement that the contractor carries liability insurance and is bondedand insured to protect you in case of injury to persons, or damage toproperty, while the work is being done.

A guarantee that the contractor will be responsible for damage during thejob and clean-up after the job.

Details of any guarantee to reduce radon below a negotiated level.

Details of warranties or other optional features associated with thehardware components of the mitigation system.

A declaration stating whether any warranties or guarantees are transferableif you sell your home.

A description of what the contractor expects the homeowner to do(e.g., make the work area accessible) before work begins.

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A RADONREDUCTION SYSTEM

n selecting a radon reduction method for your home, you and your contractorshould consider several things, including: how high your initial radon level is,the costs of installation and system operation, your house size, and your

foundation type.

Installation andOperating CostsThe cost of a contractor fixing a homegenerally ranges from $800 to $2500,depending on the characteristics of thehouse and choice of radon reductionmethods. The average cost of a radonreduction system is about $1200.

Most types of radon reductionsystems cause some loss of heated orair conditioned air, which couldincrease your utility bills. How muchyour utility bills increase will depend on the climate you live in, what kind ofreduction system you select, and how your house is built. Systems that use fans aremore effective in reducing radon levels; however, they will slightly increase yourelectric bill. The table on page 16 lists the installation and average operating costsfor different radon reduction systems and describes the best use of each method.

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RADON REDUCTION TECHNIQUEShere are several methods that a contractorcan use to lower radon levels in yourhome. Some techniques prevent radon

from entering your home while others reduceradon levels after it has entered. EPA generallyrecommends methods which prevent the entryof radon. Soil suction, for example, preventsradon from entering your home by drawingthe radon from below the house and venting itthrough a pipe, or pipes, to the air above thehouse where it is quickly diluted.

Any information that you may have aboutthe construction of your house could helpyour contractor choose the best system.

Your contractor will perform a visual inspection of your house and design a systemthat considers specific features of your house. If this inspection fails to provideenough information, the contractor may need to perform diagnostic tests duringthe initial phase of the installation to help develop the best radon reduction systemfor your home. For instance, your contractor can use chemical smoke to find thesource and direction of air movement. A contractor can learn air flow sources anddirections by watching a small amount of smoke that he or she shot into holes,drains, sumps, or along cracks. The sources of air flow show possible radon routes.A contractor may have concerns about backdrafting of combustion appliances whenconsidering radon mitigation options, and may recommend that the homeownerhave the appliance(s) checked by a qualified inspector.

Another type of diagnostic test is a "soil communication test." This test uses avacuum cleaner and chemical smoke to determine how easily air can move from onepoint to another under the foundation. By inserting a vacuum cleaner hose in onesmall hole and using chemical smoke in a second small hole, a contractor can see ifthe smoke is pulled down into the second hole by the force of the vacuum cleaner'ssuction. Watching the smoke during a soil communication test helps a contractordecide if certain radon reduction systems would work well in your house.

Whether diagnostic tests are needed is decided by details specific to your house,such as the foundation design, what kind of material is under your house, and bythe contractor's experience with similar houses and similar radon test results.

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House Foundation TypesYour house type will affect the kind of radon reduction system that will work best.Houses are generally categorized according to their foundation design. For example:basement, slab-on-grade (concrete poured at ground level), or crawlspace(a shallow unfinished space under the first floor). Some houses have more thanone foundation design feature. For instance, it is common to have a basementunder part of the house and to have a slab-on-grade or crawlspace under the restof the house. In these situations a combination of radon reduction techniques maybe needed to reduce radon levels to below 4 pCi/L.

Radon reduction systems can be grouped by house foundation design. Find yourtype of foundation design above and read about which radon reduction systemsmay be best for your house.

Basement and Slab-on-Grade HousesIn houses that have a basement or a slab-on-grade foundation, radon is usuallyreduced by one of four types of soil suction: subslab suction, drain tile suction,sump hole suction, or block wall suction.

Active subslab suction (also called subslabdepressurization) is the most common andusually the most reliable radon reductionmethod. One or more suction pipes areinserted through the floor slab into thecrushed rock or soil underneath. They alsomay be inserted below the concrete slabfrom outside the house. The number andlocation of suction pipes that are neededdepends on how easily air can move inthe crushed rock or soil under the slab,and on the strength of the radon source.Often, only a single suction point is needed.

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A contractor usually gets this information from visual inspection, from diagnostictests, and/or from experience. A radon vent fan connected to the suction pipe(s)draws the radon gas from below the house and releases it into the outdoor airwhile simultaneously creating a negative pressure (vacuum) beneath the slab.Common fan locations include unconditioned house and garage spaces, includingattics, and the exterior of the house.

Passive subslab suction is the same as active subslab suction except it relies on naturalpressure differentials and air currents instead of a fan to draw radon up from belowthe house. Passive subslab suction is usually associated with radon-resistant featuresinstalled in newly constructed homes (see p. 14). Passive subslab suction is generallynot as effective in reducing high radon levels as active subslab suction.

Some houses have drain tiles or perforated pipe to direct water away from thefoundation of the house. Suction on these tiles or pipes is often effective inreducing radon levels.

One variation of subslab and drain tile suction is sump hole suction. Often, whena house with a basement has a sump pump to remove unwanted water, the sumpcan be capped so that it can continue to drain water and serve as the location for aradon suction pipe.

Block wall suction can be used in basement houses with hollow block foundationwalls. This method removes radon and depressurizes the block wall, similar tosubslab suction. This method is often used in combination with subslab suction.

Crawlspace HousesAn effective method to reduce radon levels in crawlspace houses involves coveringthe earth floor with a high-density plastic sheet. A vent pipe and fan are used todraw the radon from under the sheet and vent it to the outdoors. This form of soilsuction is called submembrane suction, and when properly applied is the mosteffective way to reduce radon levels in crawlspace houses. Another less-favorableoption is active crawlspace depressurization which involves drawing air directlyfrom the crawlspace using a fan. This technique generally does not work as well assubmembrane suction and requires special attention to combustion appliancebackdrafting and sealing the crawlspace from other portions of the house, and mayalso result in increased energy costs due to loss of conditioned air from the house.

In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by ventilating the crawlspace passively(without the use of a fan) or actively (with the use of a fan). Crawlspace ventilationmay lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home's suction on the soil and bydiluting the radon beneath the house. Passive ventilation in a crawlspace is achieved

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by opening vents, or installing additional vents. Active ventilation uses a fan to blowair through the crawlspace instead of relying on natural air circulation. In colderclimates, for either passive or active crawlspace ventilation, water pipes, sewerlines and appliances in the crawlspace may need to be insulated against the cold.These ventilation options could result in increased energy costs for the house.

Other Types of Radon Reduction MethodsOther radon reduction techniques that can be used in any type of houseinclude: sealing, house/room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation, andnatural ventilation.

Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of mostapproaches to radon reduction. Sealing the cracks limits the flow of radon intoyour home thereby making other radon reduction techniques more effective andcost-efficient. It also reduces the loss of conditioned air. EPA does not recommendthe use of sealing alone to reduce radon because, by itself, sealing has not been shownto lower radon levels significantly or consistently. It is difficult to identify andpermanently seal the places where radon is entering. Normal settling of yourhouse opens new entry routes and reopens old ones.

House/room pressurization uses a fan to blow air into the basement or living areafrom either upstairs or outdoors. It attempts to create enough pressure at the lowestlevel indoors (in a basement for example) to prevent radon from entering into thehouse. The effectiveness of this technique is limited by house construction,climate, other appliances in the house, and occupant lifestyle. In order to maintainenough pressure to keep radon out, the doors and windows at the lowest level mustnot be left opened, except for normal entry and exit. This approach generallyresults in more outdoor air being introduced into the home, which can causemoisture intrusion and energy penalties. Consequently, this technique should only beconsidered after the other, more-common techniques have not sufficiently reduced radon.

A heat recovery ventilator (HRV), also called an air-to-air heat exchanger, can beinstalled to increase ventilation which will help reduce the radon levels in your home.An HRV will increase ventilation by introducing outdoor air while using the heatedor cooled air being exhausted to warm or cool the incoming air. HRVs can bedesigned to ventilate all or part of your home, although they are more effective inreducing radon levels when used to ventilate only the basement. If properly balancedand maintained, they ensure a constant degree of ventilation throughout the year.HRVs also can improve air quality in houses that have other indoor pollutants.There could be significant increase in the heating and cooling costs with an HRV,but not as great as ventilation without heat recovery (see p.16).

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Some natural ventilation occurs in all houses. By opening windows, doors, andvents on the lower floors you increase the ventilation in your house. This increasein ventilation mixes outdoor air with the indoor air containing radon, and canresult in reduced radon levels. However, once windows, doors and vents are closed,radon concentrations most often return to previous values within about 12 hours.Natural ventilation in any type of house should normally be regarded as only atemporary radon reduction approach because of the following disadvantages: loss ofconditioned air and related discomfort, greatly increased costs of conditioning additionaloutside air, and security concerns.

BCHECKING YOUR CONTRACTOR’S WORK

elow is a list of basic installation requirements that your contractor shouldmeet when installing a radon reduction system in your home. It isimportant to verify with your contractor that the radon mitigation standards

are properly met to ensure that your radon reduction system will be effective.You can also check with your state radon office to see if there are staterequirements that your contractor must meet.

Radon reduction systems must be clearly labeled. This will avoid accidental changesto the system which could disrupt its function.

The exhaust pipe(s) of soil suction systems must vent above the surface of the roofand 10 feet or more above the ground, and at least 10 feet away from windows,doors, or other openings that could allow the radon to reenter the house, if theexhaust pipe(s) do not vent at least 2 feet above these openings.

The exhaust fan must not be located in or below a livable area. For instance, itshould be in an unoccupied attic of the house or outside — not in a basement!

If installing an exhaust fan outside, the contractor must install a fan that meetslocal building codes for exterior use.

Electrical connections of all active radon reduction systems must be installedaccording to local electrical codes.

A warning device must be installed to alert you if an active system stops workingproperly. Examples of system failure warning devices are: a liquid gauge, a soundalarm, a light indicator, and a dial (needle display) gauge. The warning device mustbe placed where it can be seen or heard easily. Your contractor should check that thewarning device works. Later on, if your monitor shows that the system is notworking properly, call a contractor to have it checked.

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LIVING IN A HOUSE WITH A RADONREDUCTION SYSTEM

Maintaining Your Radon Reduction SystemSimilar to a furnace or chimney, radon reduction systems need some occasionalmaintenance. You should look at your warning device on a regular basis to makesure the system is working correctly. Fans may last for five years or more(manufacturer warranties tend not to exceed five years) and may then need to berepaired or replaced. Replacing a fan will cost around $200 - $350 including partsand labor. It is a good idea to retest your home at least every two years to be sureradon levels remain low.

Remember, the fan should NEVER be turned off; it must run continuously for thesystem to work correctly.

The filter in an HRV requires periodic cleaning and should be changed twice a year.Replacement filters for an HRV are easily changed and are priced between $10 and$25. Ask your contractor where filters can be purchased. Also, the vent that bringsfresh air in from the outside needs to be inspected for leaves and debris. The ventilatorshould be checked annually by a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning professionalto make sure the air flow remains properly balanced. HRVs used for radon controlshould run all the time.

A post-mitigation radon test should be done within 30 days of system installation,but no sooner than 24 hours after your system is in operation with the fan on, if ithas one. The contractor may perform a post-mitigation test to check his work andthe initial effectiveness of the system; however, it is recommend that you also get anindependent follow-up radon measurement. Having an independent tester performthe test, or conducting the measurement yourself, will eliminate any potentialconflict of interest. To test the system's effectiveness, a 2-7 day measurement isrecommended. Test conditions: windows and doors must be closed 12 hours beforeand during the test, except for normal entry/exit.

Make sure your contractor completely explains your radon reduction system,demonstrates how it operates, and explains how to maintain it. Ask for writtenoperating and maintenance instructions and copies of any warranties.

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Remodeling Your Home After Radon LevelsHave Been LoweredIf you decide to make major structural changes to your home after you have had aradon reduction system installed (such as converting an unfinished basement areainto living space), ask your radon contractor whether these changes could void anywarranties. If you are planning to add a new foundation for an addition to yourhouse, ask your radon contractor about what measures should be taken to ensurereduced radon levels throughout the home. After you remodel, retest in the lowestlived-in area to make sure the construction did not reduce the effectiveness of theradon reduction system.

BUYING OR SELLING A HOME?If you are buying or selling a home and needto make decisions about radon, consult EPA'sHome Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon.If you are selling a home that has a radonreduction system, inform potential buyersand supply them with information aboutyour system's operation and maintenance. If youare building a new house, consider that it is almost alwaysless expensive to build radon-resistant features into new construction than it is tofix an existing house that has high radon levels. Ask your builder if he or she usesradon-resistant construction features. Your builder can refer to EPA’s documentBuilding Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Build Radon-ResistantHomes, or your builder can work with a qualified contractor to design and installthe proper radon reduction system. To obtain EPA's technical documents or tofind a qualified contractor, contact your state radon office (see p. 17). All homesshould be tested for radon and elevated radon levels should be reduced. Even newhomes built with radon-resistant features should be tested after occupancy toensure that radon levels are below 4 pCi/L. If you have a test result of 4 pCi/Lor more, you can have a qualified mitigator easily add a vent fan to an existingpassive system for about $300 and further reduce the radon level in your home.

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RADON IN WATERost often, the radon in your home’s indoor air can come from two sources,the soil or your water supply. Compared to radon entering your homethrough water, radon entering your home through soil is usually a much

larger risk. If you are concerned about radon and you have a private well, considertesting for radon in both air and water. By testing for radon in both air and water,the results could enable you to more completely assess the radon mitigationoption(s) best suited to your situation. The devices and procedures for testing yourhome’s water supply are different from those used for measuring radon in air.

The radon in your water supply poses an inhalation risk and a small ingestion risk.Most of your risk from radon in water comes from radon released into the air whenwater is used for showering and other household purposes. Research has shownthat your risk of lung cancer from breathing radon in air is much larger than yourrisk of stomach cancer from swallowing water with radon in it.

Radon in your home’s water in not usually a problem when its source is surface water.A radon in water problem is more likely when its source is ground water, e.g., aprivate well or a public water supply system that uses ground water. Some publicwater systems treat their water to reduce radon levels before it is delivered to yourhome. If you are concerned that radon may be entering your home through thewater and your water comes from a public water supply, contact your water supplier.

If you’ve tested your private well and have a radon in water problem, it can be easilyfixed. Your home’s water supply can be treated in one of two ways. Point-of-entrytreatment for the whole house can effectively remove radon from the water before itenters your home’s water distribution system. Point-of-entry treatment usuallyemploys either granular activated carbon (GAC) filters or aeration systems. WhileGAC filters usually cost less than aeration systems, filters can collect radioactivity andmay require a special method of disposal. Both GAC filters and aeration systemshave advantages and disadvantages that should be discussed with your state radonoffice (see p. 17) or a water treatment professional. Point-of-use treatment devicesremove radon from your water at the tap, but only treat a small portion of the wateryou use, e.g., the water you drink. Point-of-use devices are not effective in reducingthe risk from breathing radon released into the air from all water used in the home.

For information on radon in water, testing and treatment, and radon in drinkingwater standards, or for general help, call your state radon office (see p. 17) or EPA’sDrinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/radon.html. Your state radon office can assist you in obtaining radon-in-water testkits and interpreting test results.

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INSTALLATION AND OPERATING COST TABLE

NOTES: (1) The fan electricity and house heating/cooling loss cost range is based on certain assumptions regarding climate,your house size, and the cost of electricity and fuel. Your costs may vary.

(2) Costs for cosmetic treatments to the house may increase the typical installation costs shown above.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONEPA Radon Websitehttp://www.epa.gov/radonEPA’s main radon home page. Includes linksto publications, hotlines, private proficiencyprograms, and more.

EPA Regional Officeshttp://www.epa.gov/iaq/regionia.htmlCheck this website for a listing of your EPAregional office.

EPA PublicationsMost EPA radon publications are availablefrom any one of the following hotlines:

Hotlines1-800-438-4318Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse,operated by an EPA contractor. For generalradon and indoor air quality information andcopies of EPA publications.

1-800-644-6999 (Fix-it)*Operated by the Consumer Federation ofAmerica Foundation in partnership withEPA. Provides answers to your mitigationquestions.

1-800-SOS-RADON (767-7236)*Operated by National Safety Council inpartnership with EPA. Order radon test kitsby phone.

1-800-55RADON (557-2366)*Operated by National Safety Council inpartnership with EPA. For live help with yourradon questions.

1-800-725-8312*Spanish language hotline, operated by theNational Alliance for Hispanic Health inpartnership with EPA. For general help withradon, testing, and mitigation questions, andfree test kits.

1-800-426-4791Safe Drinking Water Hotline, privatelyoperated under contract to EPA. For generalinformation on drinking water, radon in water,testing and treatment, and radon drinkingwater standards.

*These hotline numbers are subject to change, forup-to-date information call 1-800-438-4318.

State Radon ContactsUp-to-date phone information about how tocontact your state radon office is available athttp://www.epa.gov/iaq/contacts.html. You canalso get information about your state contacts bycalling the Indoor Air Quality InformationClearinghouse (IAQ-Info) at 1-800-438-4318.

State Toll-FreeLocalAlabama (800) 582-1866 (334) 206-5391Alaska (800) 478-8324 (907) 474-7201Arizona none (602) 255-4845 x244Arkansas (800) 482-5400 (501) 661-2301California (800) 745-7236 (916) 324-2208Colorado (800) 846-3986 (303) 692-3090Connecticut (860) 509-7367 noneDelaware (800) 464-4357 (302) 739-4731District of Columbia none (202) 535-2999Florida (800) 543-8279 (850) 245-4288Georgia (800) 745-0037 (404) 872-3549Guam none (671) 475-1611Hawaii none (808) 586-4700Idaho (800) 445-8647 (208) 332-7319Illinois (800) 325-1245 (217) 785-9958Indiana (800) 272-9723 (317) 233-7147Iowa (800) 383-5992 (515) 281-4928Kansas (800) 693-5343 (785) 296-1560Kentucky none (502) 564-4856Louisiana (800) 256-2494 (225) 925-7042Maine (800) 232-0842 (207) 287-5676Maryland none (215) 814-2086Massachusetts (800) 723-6695 (413) 586-7525Michigan (800) 723-6642 (517) 335-8037Minnesota (800) 798-9050 (651) 215-0909Mississippi (800) 626-7739 (601) 987-6893Missouri (800) 669-7236 (573) 751-6160Montana (800) 546-0483 (406) 444-6768Nebraska (800) 334-9491 (402) 471-0594Nevada none (775) 687-5394 x275New Hampshire (800) 852-3345 x4674 (603) 271-4674New Jersey (800) 648-0394 (609) 984-5425New Mexico (800) 219-6157 (505) 827-2855New York (800) 458-1158 (518) 402-7556North Carolina none (919) 571-4141North Dakota (800) 252-6325 (701) 328-5188Ohio (800) 523-4439 (614) 644-2727Oklahoma none (405) 702-5100Oregon none (503) 731-4014 x664Pennsylvania (800) 237-2366 (717) 783-3594Puerto Rico none (787) 274-7815Rhode Island none (401) 222-2438South Carolina (800) 768-0362 (803) 898-3890South Dakota (800) 438-3367 (605) 773-3151Tennessee (800) 232-1139 (615) 299-9725Texas (800) 572-5548 (512) 834-6688Utah (800) 458-0145 (801) 536-4250Vermont (800) 439-8550 (802) 865-7730Virginia (800) 468-0138 (804) 786-5932Washington none (360) 236-3253West Virginia (800) 922-1255 (304) 558-6772Wisconsin (888) 569-7236 (608) 267-4796Wyoming (800) 458-5847 (307) 777-6015

Tribal Radon Program OfficesHopi Tribe (Arizona) (928) 734-3100Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (602) 307-1509Navajo Nation (928) 871-7692

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Consumer Federation of America Foundationstrongly urges consumers to have elevated radonlevels in their home reduced. EPA’s Consumer’sGuide to Radon Reduction will assist theseindividuals and offers very good advice forselecting and working with a qualified radoncontractor.

epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

Consumers guide to radon reduction - Formerly Cook … · A Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction...

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