Let's talk about RADON

[REDVAN]

I always thought this was some kind of scam

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I always thought this was some kind of scam

It's the leading cause of lung cancer in non smokers. If lung cancer among non smokers had it's own category it would be in the top ten causes of cancer. Enough that the government now requires new home builds to have a radon rough in.

https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/w...onsmokers.html

[tvp2003]

Sorry if it's been mentioned -- anyone get the free testing kit from DL Basement Systems (as advertised on the Fan960)?

[Nage Waza]

I think if you call up a few companies that specialize in radon, a few will test for you. It is literally a device the size of a deck of cards and sits in your house for a few days.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

I think if you call up a few companies that specialize in radon, a few will test for you. It is literally a device the size of a deck of cards and sits in your house for a few days.

Would be interested to see the results from 2-3+ companies in one location with simultaneous monitoring. With full disclosure of course. Testing detection technology and potentially commercial motivation.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Sorry if it's been mentioned -- anyone get the free testing kit from DL Basement Systems (as advertised on the Fan960)?

It's better than nothing for sure but if you can get a radon company to measure over 90 days it would be better. Those one time send away kits measure over a week which could give much different results than 90 days. Also the kits cost money while I think radon companies don't charge. Radon levels in homes change daily.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Would be interested to see the results from 2-3+ companies in one location with simultaneous monitoring. With full disclosure of course. Testing detection technology and potentially commercial motivation.

I tried this myself, sort of.

I have low in home radon levels and every time I take my detector to different friends places the readings go up. When I bring it back the readings drop again.

If you don't trust the detectors and think they might be fixed then move them outside or to your car or work for a few days after testing in your basement. See what happens.

[ianlav]

I tested my house, and the radon level was 650 Bq/m3. The sub slab depressurization system has been installed in my house, and my levels dropped to about 25, which is a 96% reduction.

Here is the test kit: https://www.stampederadon.com/produc...est-kit-canada

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by ianlav

I tested my house, and the radon level was 650 Bq/m3. The sub slab depressurization system has been installed in my house, and my levels dropped to about 25, which is a 96% reduction.

Here is the test kit: https://www.stampederadon.com/produc...est-kit-canada

I'm curious so I ordered from here. How long did you do yours for?

[ianlav]

Originally Posted by Raekwon

I'm curious so I ordered from here. How long did you do yours for?

I tested for about three months.

[Ashartus]

It should be at least 3 months, and over the winter (not summer).

[pepper24]

Good info. We tested in April and got 535 levels but that was only a 4 day test from hardware store. In fall we'll do a longer proper 3+ month test then if still high we'll fix the issue.

[evman150]

Interesting read: https://www.wired.com/story/to-radon...-the-question/

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by evman150

Interesting read: https://www.wired.com/story/to-radon...-the-question/

My biochemistry PhD spouse agrees with the doctors/scientists in the article.
Specifically, that too low levels of radiation (including radon) are more likely to increase (statistically) your likelihood of getting cancer, under 'normal' parameters. Obviously you don't want to build your home on a plutonium waste dump, and so a home test kit is a good idea to verify that, but the threshold levels are arbitrary and simply bad science. Meaning that in virtually every instance radon mitigation/remediation provides zero health benefits.
FWIW

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

My biochemistry PhD spouse agrees with the doctors/scientists in the article.
Specifically, that too low levels of radiation (including radon) are more likely to increase (statistically) your likelihood of getting cancer, under 'normal' parameters. Obviously you don't want to build your home on a plutonium waste dump, and so a home test kit is a good idea to verify that, but the threshold levels are arbitrary and simply bad science. Meaning that in virtually every instance radon mitigation/remediation provides zero health benefits.
FWIW

This argument reminds me of the tobacco companies 40 years ago telling people smoking isn't bad for you. It may even help fight cancer.

[chemgear]

I got one of those Airthings Radon detector. I don't have a secondary detector to calibrate or comment on the accuracy of the readings but it sure beats waiting multiple months to get a single data point from a lab test.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

This argument reminds me of the tobacco companies 40 years ago telling people smoking isn't bad for you. It may even help fight cancer.

Except I don't think "Big Radon" has quite the propaganda budget Big Tobacco had, so maybe this is actually just real science.

[pepper24]

Originally Posted by pepper24

Good info. We tested in April and got 535 levels but that was only a 4 day test from hardware store. In fall we'll do a longer proper 3+ month test then if still high we'll fix the issue.

We did the 3 month test from mid-January to mid-April and only got 58 Bq/M3, well under the suggested levels. Tested in same area. Interesting.

[Peanut]

We did a 3-month test and the levels came back <50. Nice to know and not have to do anything, either.

[GaiJin]

Has this problem been factored in to the building code revisions of the past couple of years in terms of foundation preparation and or floor ventilation? The government has been largely focused on energy efficiency which makes new homes more air tight, which one would think could exacerbate tHe issue. We have a newer home, and I don't think it includes any anti radon infiltration measures. I know from growing up on American television feeds from Washington, the Americans have taken it as a serious issue for a long time.