The radon test (and mitigation if needed) is common here in US, Virginia as well. The test is a standard part of the pre-purchase home inspection. Just be careful that unscrupulous sellers don't move the tester outside while you're not looking and then put it back in the morning to evade the test. If the test comes back *so* negative that it's unbelievable, it probably is. :(
-Josh On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 9:11 AM, Mitch Parker <mbp...@gmail.com> wrote: > Steve, > > That is a known carcinogen. Removal of that has to be detailed and is > expensive. I worked in a building undergoing abatement years ago. Combine > that with the Americans with Disabilities Act regs and Its cheaper to knock > down older buildings and replace them. > > On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 9:07 AM Stephen Adolph <twospru...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> thanks Mitch; >> Shocking that it isn't in the building code at all, really. >> I have similar thoughts about asbestos - which is safe to install >> apparently but expensive as heck to get rid of. >> >> My friend with the 2700 Bq/m^3 reading - just bought his house - from >> family! ouch. >> >> >> >> On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 8:12 AM, Mitch Parker <mbp...@gmail.com> wrote: >> > We discovered this when selling our house and after we had raised >> infants >> > there. Putting the fan in was not even a question. This should be >> mandatory >> > for buying a house. >> > >> > We also warned our neighbors. >> > >> > On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 7:53 AM Stephen Adolph <twospru...@gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >> >> >> Hi everyone, >> >> >> >> Here in Canada we tend to have uranium in the ground, and hence radon >> >> gas can show up in basements. I had an interesting experience with >> >> this over the holidays. >> >> If you want to know if you have radon, you can get a sample kit from >> >> Home Depot, mail it away, and get a test result. That's cool, but one >> >> time, one place. >> >> I purchased an electronic meter that actively reads the radon levels, >> >> so I could first measure, and then map out the radon levels around my >> >> house. >> >> >> >> The end result was realizing that the basement sump was somewhat >> >> strong source of radon. Although my house on average was below the >> >> threshold of 200 Bq/m^3, my sump had a reading of over 600. A friend >> >> of mine measured his sump and got a reading of 2700! >> >> >> >> So over the holidays I purchased a "radon fan" and built a venting >> >> apparatus to capture the air in the sump and vent it out the side of >> >> the house. Now my house reads radon levels basically equal to >> >> atmospheric. >> >> >> >> So - wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience? >> >> >> >> I was initially worried about "discovering" radon in my house but >> >> really, it is so common. I don't think enough people are aware. The >> >> fix in my case was relatively easy and not expensive at all. >> >> >> >> ...Steve >> >
