[Greenbuilding] Radon

[Bruce Donelson]

OK how big a problem?  A smoker, who lives in a house with 20 pC/L of radon
for many years, has a risk of 250 per 1000 of getting lung cancer.  That's
pretty bad!  The risks go down for nonsmokers, and go down even more for
lower levels of radon.  4 pC/L is the minimum action level, where lung
cancer risks are not much different than where there is no radon.

Any new construction *should* have at least a passive radon reduction system
installed (so-called "radon-ready") and have a radon test after construction
is complete.  There are no laws or codes about this, but it is becoming
common to see buyers requiring radon tests.  It is a lot easier to build
during construction than to retrofit.  I would consider it a vital part of a
Green home.


Some areas of the country have almost no naturally occurring radon. That is
probably why there isn't a nationwide policy for testing. If you live where
there isn't any radon, why test?

Bruce Donelson
A Better builder