Latta Pavilion: Following Up with a Certified Radon Measurement Provider

Michael Lewis is a highly qualified inspector with superb credentials and experience. You may check his background and service information at his website: www.mecklenburginspections.com.
I received this last night from Michael:

Radon

I am often asked “do I have radon in my home?”. The answer is yes. Radon is everywhere. It is the level of the radon and the expose time that is harmful. The EPA suggests that when the level in homes reaches 4.0 Pico curies per liter, remediation is needed. The common levels outside the home are usually 0.4 Pico curies per liter.

What is Radon? Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is produced by decaying uranium and radium. If it sounds scary, it is. Temperature, wind conditions, and air pressure, as well as behavioral factors, influence ventilation and concentration of radon and its decay products that may build up in a room. Efforts to improve insulation and preserve energy may often times make the situation worse. This means that your efforts to make your home more energy efficient make it harder for your home to breathe.

The use of stony building materials and ground conditions influence indoor concentrations of radon and its decay products. The leakage of radon from the ground shows great variations, and very high indoor concentrations can occur in one house, but not in another, even if located nearby. In general, the leakage of radon from the ground is usually more important than its emanation from stony building materials. Radon can even be located in the water, but is less of a threat than the levels in your environment, such as the home or work place.

The EPA estimates the amount of deaths caused by radon induced lung cancer is about 21,000 per year, second only to deaths caused by drunk drivers. Persons that smoke increase their chances greatly.

To test the levels of radon gas in your home, a certified radon measurement provider should be contacted. If the levels are at 4.0 Pico curies or more, mitigation will be necessary to lower the radon gas levels. For more information go to, www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html.

Mecklenburg Inspections, Inc.

Licensed NC and SC Home Inspector

Certified Radon Measurement Provider

As we discover/learn more information about Radon or if there are any further developments regarding Latta Pavillion, I will post them here.