FAQ About Radon

10 Jan

FAQ About Radon

The following are frequently asked questions about radon and their answers:
Q.We occasionally notice an unusual smell in our basement. Could it be due to radon?
A. No. Radon has no odour.

Q. Food items that we have stored in the basement have spoiled. Is radon the cause?
A. No. Radon is chemically inert and cannot react with things and spoil them.

Q. Shortly after moving into our home, several members of our family developed persistent coughs. Could radon be the reason?
A. No. Exposure to radon is not associated with persistent coughs.

Q. I have recently developed headaches which my doctor cannot explain. Could radon be the cause?
A. No. The only known health effect from radon is an increased risk of developing lung cancer.

Q. Should I be concerned about radon in my children’s school or my workplace?
A. There has been only limited testing for radon in schools and workplaces in most regions of Canada. Preliminary studies suggest that schools and large public buildings usually have lower radon levels than homes in the same community. However, the only sure way to know whether a school or workplace has elevated radon levels is to test.

Q. Is radon more of a problem in older or newer homes?
A. The age of a home has not been found to be a reliable indicator of whether it will have high radon levels.

Q. My neighbour’s house was tested and had high radon levels. Does this mean that the radon levels in my home will also be high?
A. Not necessarily. Radon levels can vary significantly even in similar homes that are built close to one another. You should test your home to be sure of its radon level.

Q. My house has high radon levels. Can it be fixed? How much will it cost?
A. Virtually all homes can have their radon levels significantly lowered. Although costs can vary considerably, experience has shown that reducing radon in most homes can cost from a few hundred dollars to about $3,000.

Q. I intend to purchase (or sell) a house, what are my options regarding radon testing?
A. Your choices include:

  • Disregard or ignore any potential problem.
  • When listing the home for sale, the seller could indicate to their broker whether the home has been tested for radon and, if it has, what the test results were.

Contact your REALTOR at Coldwell Banker Vantage Realty for more tips and advice if you have concerns you have Radon in your home.

Reference