a healthy home is a radon safe home
TRANSCRIPT
AZRadon Services LLC
A Healthy Home IsA Radon SafeHomeSince 1993 A-Z Radon Services has been helpinghomeowners breathe easier. Radon is theleading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers. made with
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Introduction
About The Author
Welcome
A Word about Basement Waterproofing Systems
Radon Levels Rising in Pennsylvania Homes
Creating Awareness for Radon
Common Sources of Radon Exposure
Radon: The Danger is Real By Jessica Karns
Is There Radon in My Child’s School?
Radon: the danger that lives with you
Why Free Radon Tests are Not Always Free By JessicaKarns
Table of Contents
12.
13.
14.
EPA Urges all Homeowners to Test for Radon ByJessica Karns
The Most Likely Sources Radon Gas
Call to Action
A-Z Radon Services has been servicing the northeast Ohio for over a decade. Our
team of licensed radon testing and mitigation professionals will work with you to
ensure that your home’s air quality is safe for years to come. We take pride in our
knowledge and experience in the radon industry. That is why over 50% of our
business comes directly from referrals. Our mission is simple: help people reduce
their risk of developing radon induced lung cancer and other respiratory illness by
providing safer indoor air quality.
Resources:-
www.azradon.com/a-word-about-basement-waterproofin...
www.azradon.com/radon-levels-rising-in-pennsylvani...
www.azradon.com/creating-awareness-for-radon/
www.azradon.com/common-sources-of-radon-exposure/
www.azradon.com/radon-the-danger-is-real-by-jessic...
www.azradon.com/is-there-radon-in-my-childs-school...
www.azradon.com/radon-the-danger-that-lives-with-y...
http://www.azradon.com/Why-Free-Radon-Tests-are-No...
IntroductionA-Z Radon Services has been helping homeowners breathe easier.Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers.
Jessica Karns
www.azradon.com/EPA-urges-all-homeowners-to-test-f...
www.azradon.com/the-most-likely-sources-radon-gas
Jessica joined A-Z Solutions, Inc. in 2011 as the Sales & Marketing Manager. A
seasoned professional, she has acquired over 10 years of experience in the sales
and marketing arena.
In her current position, Jessica is responsible for overseeing the web
site design, social media content and media relations. In addition,
Jessica heads up the companies’ continuing education program for real
estate professionals. As a certified CEU instructor
she conducts ongoing training for real estate professionals about
radon. Jessica is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent Ohio. She
sits on the Ohio Association of Radon Professionals Board where she continues to
strengthen the industry standards and raise radon awareness with the public.
Source : http://www.azradon.com/dt_team/jessica-karns/
About The AuthorJessica joined A-Z Solutions, Inc. in 2011 as the Sales & MarketingManager. A seasoned professional, she has acquired over 10 years ofexperience in the sales and marketing arena.
Jessica Karns
Welcome
For homeowners who have had a basement waterproofing system installed that
includes the installation of drain tile under the basement floor around the
perimeter of the basement, you need to consider the following.
Installation of the drain tile for most homes will requires sections of the concrete
basement floor be removed before the drain tile can be installed. Removing the
existing concrete exposes the dirt underneath the concrete floor, which causes the
release of radon gas into the basement area. Radon will follow the path of least
resistance: it will enter you home using the easiest path of entry. This includes
cracks or gaps in concrete. Although radon can and will penetrate concrete having
a dirt floor gives the levels that already exist under the foundation an even easier
way into your home.
When the concrete floor is replaced, most water proof systems will leave a small
one-inch gap between the replaced concrete floor and the basement foundation
wall. This open space can become a source for the radon gas to enter your living
area.
Homeowners who have had a waterproof system installed should have the
basement tested after the installation. For homeowners who are considering
installing a drain tile system under their basement floor, it is suggested that you
test for radon before and after the waterproof system is installed. If the radon
levels become elevated after the drain tile system is installed, you may have to
install a radon mitigation system to reduce the radon in your home.
A Word about BasementWaterproofing Systems
Radon levels have been rising ever since fracking has increased in Pennsylvania.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health say there is
an alarming correlation between the unusually high levels of the colorless, odorless
radioactive gas indoors and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Joan Casey and her colleagues at Bloomberg wanted to determine the sources of
radon in Pennsylvania homes so they decided to do a study.
“We decided to do the study because historically Pennsylvania has had this big
radon problem. We were doing house studies in the state for about the past
decade. When the unconventional natural gas industry moved into the state,
people were concerned," Casey said in an interview with Yahoo News.
Her findings, which appeared in the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal on
Thursday, show that radon levels are generally higher in areas of the state with
fracking operations underway.
Fracking is the process of drilling and blasting high-pressure fluids into the ground
to break shale rocks so that they release natural gas. As part of this process, radon
gas is released from the ground and travels to the surface using the path of least
resistance.
Radon is emitted from certain elements in soil and rock — uranium, thorium, and
radium — as they decay and there is a lot of uranium in the bedrock throughout
Pennsylvania. Casey says the eastern part of the state has bedrock with the
highest levels of uranium in the country; fortunately, the Marcellus Shale — the
country’s largest natural gas field — does not run through it, so it has not been
subject to fracking.
Casey and her colleagues analyzed data from nearly 2 million radon readings from
every county in the state, reported NBC News. These measurements focused on
866,735 buildings, mostly homes, between 1987 and 2013.
Radon Levels Rising inPennsylvania Homes
We evaluated associations of radon concentrations with geology, water source,
building characteristics, season, weather, community socioeconomic status,
community type, and unconventional natural gas development measures based on
drilled and producing wells,” they wrote.
The scientists discovered that radon levels spiked around 2004 — when fracking
started in the state — particularly in homes near the unconventional wells drilled
for the controversial process.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection says about 40 percent of
homes in the state have elevated radon levels.
The researchers point out that their study does not directly link radon with fracking
and that other factors — such as homes being more tightly sealed — may be at play,
though it does not seem as plausible.
For decades, the Lung Association, Amercian Cancer Society and EPA have worked
with nonprofits, industry and other government agencies to educate the public
about radon, and encourage people to reduce radon risk. Despite this public
awareness, elevated radon is still a serious challenge in an estimated 1 in 15 homes
across the United States. And, in December 2014, testing detected record-
breaking radon levels in homes in Lehigh and Center Valley, Pennsylvania, Levels
measured in to the thousands in some homes in the area. Pennsylvania is the state
where radon first came to national attention more than 25 years ago.
Public education is needed, but it isn’t enough. Testing is easy and inexpensive and
should be part of every homes maintenance schedule.
The first step in the game plan came in 2011 when EPA and eight partner federal
agencies launched the Federal Radon Action Plan. The plan helped reduce high
radon in more than 6,500 homes, schools and daycares, and reached nearly 2
million property owners with helpful incentives and guidance.
To build on this progress, in 2013, the Lung Association, the AARST organization
(American Association of Radon Scientist and Technologists) and HUD (Housing
and Urban Development) brought together leaders from 11 organizations, including
nonprofit and industry groups and federal agencies. These organizations released a
national radon strategy this spring to set the U.S. on a path to solving the radon
problem once and for all.
This federal mandate made testing and mitigation of multifamily homes financed
through HUD mandatory in all 50 states. Making radon testing a standard practice
will save thousands of lives every year, prevent unnecessary and burdensome
health care costs.
Creating Awareness forRadon
Radon is a radioactive gas created by the normal breakdown of uranium in the soil
and rocks. It is an odorless, tasteless gas that travels to the earth’ s surface and into
buildings through cracks in the foundation.
The American Cancer Society estimates radon exposure causes an average of
21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, and 10 to 25 percent of them are non-
smokers. Typically, cancer tends to develop anywhere from 5 to 25 years after
exposure.
The combination of smoking and radon exposure can significantly increase your
risk of lung cancer. According to the EPA, if 1,000 smokers were exposed to the
"action" radon level of 4 pCi/L over a lifetime, about 62 of them would get lung
cancer from the radiation, compared to about 7 out of 1,000 non-smokers.
While the evidence is limited, radon may be linked to other cancers besides lung
cancer. One study conducted in Denmark from 1968 to 1994 suggests a
statistically significant link between radon exposure and acute childhood
lymphoblastic leukemia.
Common Sources of RadonExposure
Another study by the University of Texas Medical Branch concluded radon
exposure may be a significant risk factor for pancreatic cancer in African-
Americans, American-Indians, and Asian-Americans.
As for radon in your home, it can originate from a number of sources, including:
Building materials, including silicone-rich magmatic rocks (particularly granite,
and especially the more exotic granites like the red, pink and purple varieties),
gypsum waste products, cement, concrete, pumice, and basaltic rock.
Contaminated air seeping into your home through cracks in the foundation,
walls and floors. Radon levels are highest in rooms closest to the ground, so if
you spend a lot of time in basement rooms at home, work or school, your risk
for exposure could be greater.
Well water. While the risk of exposure from water is generally minimal, deep
wells sunk into rock with a high radium concentration may contain high levels of
radon. I would encourage you to test for this poison if you get your water from
an underground well.
Smoke detectors. Residential smoke detectors fall into three different
categories: the ionization type, the photoelectric type, and detectors that
contain both types of sensing devices. Ionization smoke detectors are less
expensive and more commonly used, but they emit small amounts of radon .
Clocks and watches. Certain clocks and watches can also add to the overall
radon levels of your surroundings. If you own one with a luminous dial, it
probably contains either Tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen, or
Promethium, a man-made radioactive element.
Radon gas is invisible and odorless but not harmless. Every year radon induced lung
cancer takes the lives of 22,000 people nationwide. In fact, exposure to radon gas
is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and one in 15 homes in America is at
risk from elevated levels of radon.
Radon is a naturally occurring invisible, odorless and tasteless gas. It occurs when
uranium in the soil and rock underground breaks down to form radon. As radon
decays, it releases radioactive byproducts that are inhaled and can cause lung
cancer. Radon enters a home through cracks in the walls, basement floors,
foundations and other openings, and it can build up to dangerous concentrations.
As a radon professional I recommend that every homeowner test their home for
radon to know their risk exposure. This is not enough. Radon is a public health
problem and should be tackled as such. Our nation as a whole must set into motion
strategies to eliminate these avoidable lung cancer deaths. Our government has
several bills in congress right now to do just that. Bills that would provide tax
credits for homeowners to pay for radon mitigation systems and mandatory radon
testing for real estate transactions so a buyer knows what the level is before he
moves his family into a potentially dangerous environment.
Radon: The Danger is Real ByJessica Karns
One such piece of government oversight is The National Radon Action Plan. This
plan includes proven, effective strategies to reduce exposure to radon gas.
Implementing these strategies would prevent an estimated 3,200 lung cancer
deaths by 2020. The Plan seeks to reduce exposure in 5 million high-radon homes,
apartments, schools and childcare centers.
Two top priorities in the plan approach radon mitigation from the
finance/insurance side and through the state building codes. The first strategy is to
make radon testing and systems to reduce radon a standard practice in housing
finance and insurance programs. In other words, before a home can be financed or
insured it must be tested and, if needed, radon mitigation measures put in place.
The second strategy would incorporate radon risk reduction systems in state
building codes. The Lung Association and partners are already working to put these
priorities in place by meeting with groups, including housing finance and building
code developers.
This plan builds on the work of the Federal Radon Action Plan adopted in 2011.
Under that plan, federal agencies made several key steps using available authority
and resources to advance the battle against radon. Key federal partners leading the
way in the National Radon Action Plan are the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
Radon exposure is a serious public health threat, but we can work together to
reduce the risk. As national strategies continue to be implemented, you can do
your part by testing your home, and if the radon level is unsafe, take action to
reduce it. Do it to protect your family and make sure you don’t become a statistic.
I was recently asked by a local school teacher what risk radon has for her students.
In order to ask that question we must first understand the basics of radon.
Radon gas
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil.
Over time uranium decays and turns into radon gas. Once in gaseous form it is free
to travel through the soil and get to the earth’s surface. This is a natural process
that occurs everywhere in fact the average outdoor radon concentration is 1.6
pCi/L.
When radon gets into buildings it is not able to escape or be ventilated, this is
where it builds and can get o dangerously high levels. The EPA set the Action level
for radon gas at 4.0 pCi/L. This means that for every one liter of air there can be
3.9 radioactive atoms. Any more than that the EP recommends mitigation.
The health effects of radon exposure depend on two factors; time and radon
concentration. Our children spend over eight hours a day five days a week for nine
Is There Radon in My Child’sSchool?
months a year in a classroom. Multiply that by twelve years of school and a child
will spend the majority of the childhood in a classroom. If that classroom or school
has high radon levels, the child could be spending that time in a toxic environment.
This combination of time and level of exposure can have dangerous health effects
on a child. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers.
Children especially are more susceptible to lung disease because their lungs are not
fully developed until the teenage years.
Luckily, radon exposure can be reduced. By having the school tested for radon by a
licensed radon specialist, they can identify if there are high levels in the building
and if necessary install a mitigation system to reduce the levels in the building. Our
children’s health should be our first priority and providing them with a safe healthy
learning environment should be the priority of every school system. Ask the school
system or PTA if they have tested for radon and if not recommend that they have
the buildings tested. Radon is a serious health issue but one that can be prevented.
Radon: the danger that lives with you
RADON sounds like a made up word from a sci-fi movie, however it could be the
cause of serious health problems in your home. Radon is a colorless, odorless,
tasteless gas that concentrates in homes and buildings. Breathing in this dangerous
gas can over time cause lung cancer.
In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers and is the
leading environmental cause of cancer mortality in the United States. Radon causes
over 21,000 deaths annually. The good news is there is a solution to this serious
public health issue, a simple radon mitigation system can be installed in buildings
with elevated radon levels that will reduce the concentration of the gas.
So why has this deadly gas not been mitigated in every home and building in
America? It comes down to politics. For years’ radon advocates have tried to get
legislators to acknowledge the health effects linked to radon exposure and to enact
legislation that would prevent tens of thousands of deaths a year.
The radon industry has made some strides, in 2013 the U.S. Department of
Radon: the danger that liveswith you
Housing and Urban Development announced a new policy that required any
multifamily building being financed using a HUD backed loan program to be tested
and if necessary mitigated to reduced radon levels. This was the first national law
that made radon testing and mitigation mandatory for any building. HUD reviews
this policy annually to ensure that all testing and mitigation is being performed by
licensed and or certified professionals and meets industry standards.
It might seem strange that the first mandatory radon testing and mitigation policies
were for multifamily buildings and not single family homeowners, but the logic
behind the push for multifamily says that while single- family homeowners can
choose to test and mitigate their homes, residents of multifamily buildings cannot
test without their landlord’s permission and certainly cannot mitigate without the
building owner’s financial commitment.
The new HUD mandate has contributed to thousands of multifamily buildings being
tested and in cases where radon levels were above the EPA action level, were
mitigated and residents can now breathe easy with healthier indoor air quality.
Congress is currently looking at several bills that would make testing and mitigation
of a single family home tax credit worthy. This would allow homeowners to receive
a tax credit for installing a radon mitigation system. The bill is currently in
committee.
Radon is a serious public health issue that costs lives. Prevention is key and
installing a radon mitigation system in all buildings that show high levels will
dramatically impact the number of new radon induced lung cancer diagnosis. The
fix is easy, the cost of doing nothing is far too high.
Why Free Radon Tests are Not Always Free
You need a radon test. It’s not something you dream of spending your money on
but then you see an advertisement for a FREE RADON TEST. Why wouldn’t you
take advantage? .. its FREE!!
Tempting as it sounds that free radon test may end up costing you more than a test
you would have paid for. The companies who advertise this have a business model
that is based on at least 60 percent of their customer base will have “High” radon
Why Free Radon Tests areNot Always Free By JessicaKarns
levels. Otherwise, they couldn’t make enough money to stay in business.
Furthermore, they are counting on convincing or closing the majority of the
customers with high radon levels to use their mitigation services.
This again doesn’t sound like a bad scenario but consider the fact that the cost of
your radon system has cover all of the free testing that has been conducted in
order to find your elevated radon levels.
Add to this aggressive, high pressure sales tactics that they are aimed at closing
80% of the home owners with elevated radon levels, and you could very well
paying for that free radon test and then some Another thing to consider, do you
really want to trust a company whose only means of generating revenue is to seek
out homeowners who will have elevated radon levels? Of course, we want to
believe that all professional radon companies are completely upfront and honest,
but when their only means of making money is making sure they sell mitigation
systems it can be hard to trust that your results are completely accurate.
In other words, you get what you pay for. Hiring a licensed radon professional and
paying for a radon test could actually end up saving you a substantial amount of
money in the long run. In Ohio radon testing professionals must acquire a license
to test for radon from the Ohio Department of Health. Like a number of licensed
professionals, licensees are required to maintain their license by completing yearly
continuing education credits. To ensure you have hired a qualified professional, ask
to see their license, check references, work history and insurance. You can get a list
of qualified radon professionals by going to the Ohio Department of Health’s
website and searching radon.
There are a number of licensed, qualified, Radon testers in Ohio and the cost of a
radon test is usually between $ 100.00-$ 150.00 dollars. Money well spent for
peace of mind that your radon test was done according to Ohio Departments of
Health protocol and has the most accurate results.
EPA Urges all Homeowners to Test for Radon ByJessica Karns
January is National Radon Action Month. As part of the effort to spread public
awareness, the EPA has urged all homeowners to have their home tested for radon.
“Testing for radon is the best way to know if people in your home are at risk from
this cancer-causing gas,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “Radon
is a problem that can be easily fixed, and I urge all residents to test their homes. If
your home is impacted by radon, it is fairly easy to fix.”
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer amongst non-smokers. Radon occurs
naturally from the decay of uranium in the soil and can accumulate to dangerous
levels inside a building. Radon is a nationwide problem that can be found in any
building that has ground contact. This includes Homes, Schools, apartments,
condos, commercial buildings and offices. Even mobile homes and homes/buildings
with no basements have a potential for having high radon levels.
EPA Urges all Homeownersto Test for Radon By JessicaKarns
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. Unlike other gasses, it cannot be seen
or felt by normal senses. The only way to know if your home has high levels is to
perform a radon test. These are specially designed kits that are deployed for a
minimum of 48 hours to detect the level of radon that exists in the lowest level
suitable for living in the home.
It is important to note that in order to get accurate results, the tests must be
deployed according to specific protocols set by the EPA and the State health
departments. The best way to ensure a valid test is to hire a licensed and or
certified radon testing professional. Each states has their own set of requirements
for radon professionals so it is important to check with your state EPA or Health
Department to make sure your professional is fully licensed and certified.
The Most Likely Sources Radon Gas
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is responsible for over 22,000
deaths a year. Radon Induced Lung Cancer is the leading cause of lung cancer
amongst non-smokers. Radon is most commonly sourced from the ground, it can
come from other places. Know the sources of radon so you can protect your
health.
Soil- Radon is most commonly found in the soil under homes and other buildings.
Radon comes from a breakdown of uranium a natural element found in our soil. As
it decays it turns into a number of minerals but eventually turns into radon gas.
Radon gas is radioactive, which means it gives off radiation. This gas becomes
trapped inside of buildings and attaches itself to oxygen atoms. When we breathe
in this combination the radon damages our lungs which can eventually lead to lung
cancer.
Contaminated Materials- Do you know what concrete is made of? Concrete is
made of water, rock, sand and portland cement which is a combination of
limestone, shells, chalk Shale, clay and iron ore. If you notice most of the materials
used come from the ground. Furthermore, most of the materials have a potential of
having uranium contained within them. When this happens in a commercial
building or multifamily building using large amounts of this material you can get
what ifs referred to as building emanation radon. This is where the source of the
radon comes from the building materials themselves instead of the ground soil.
When this occurs you will have high radon levels on all or most floors of the
building regardless of how high off the ground they are. Once determined as a
building emanation problem, a different type of mitigation system can be installed
to treat this source.
Natural Occurrence- radon can also find itself trapped in natural materials we use
The Most Likely SourcesRadon Gas
as building materials. Granite, Slate, Marble and Shale can all produce radon
emissions. This is because most of these natural materials start off below ground.
As they are forming they can bond with or form around uranium deposits. This
causes a problem when these materials are excavated and used in someone’s home
or office. The radiation that can emit from these materials can be harmful and more
damaging than soil exposure because these items are more than likely placed in
areas that people spend a large amount of time.
Water- Believe it or not radon can be in water. If you have a well or natural water
source, radon could be part of your drinking water. Any water that passes over a
granite, granitic sand or gravel has the potential for radon to be dissolved in it.
Activities like showering, washing dishes, and laundering can disturb the water and
release radon gas into the air you breathe. To remove radon from water a
professional radon contractor can install a aeration treatment system which mixes
the water with air and vents the air before use. The other option is install a GAC
system that can filter the radon through a series of carbon filters before it reaches
the source.
About the Author
Jessica Karns joined A-Z Radon Services in 2011 as the Sales & Marketing
Manager. A seasoned professional, she has acquired over 10 years of experience in
the sales and marketing arena. In her current position, Jessica is responsible for
designing and overseeing the strategic direction of the companies’ marketing plan
including web site design, social media content and media relations.
In addition, Jessica is a state licensed radon testing professional. Jessica also holds
a radon testing certification through the NRPP (National Radon Proficiency
Program.). She heads up the companies’ continuing education program for real
estate professionals. As a state certified CEU instructor, she conducts ongoing
training for real estate professionals about radon.
Jessica is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent Ohio. She sits on the Ohio
Association of Radon Professionals Board of Directors where she continues to
strengthen the industry standards by creating public policy and raising awareness
for this critical issue.
