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1 Contents: Page 3: Why you should read this book Page 4: Why are we considered the experts on radon? Page 4: What is radon? Page 5: How does radon cause lung cancer? Page 7: How radon was discovered Page 9: How radon gets into your home: Stack Effect Page 9: How are we exposed to radon gas? Page 11: How do you measure radon? Page 12: What devices are commonly used for radon testing? Page 15: Where should home testing be done? Page 17: What do the results mean? Page 19: How do we fix it? Page 25: Why this is not a do it yourself project Page 27: Why you should fix it now? Page 27: How much will it cost? Page 31: Explaining the Radon Industry Page 33: What else are you breathing in your home? Page 33: Explanation of the 5 Danger Levels of Indoor Air Quality Page 36: Radon discovery during a real estate transaction Page 38: Radon Resistant New Construction Page 40: Myths & Misunderstandings Page 44: About the National Radon Defense Network 1

2 Why you should read this book. I decided to write this book as a resource for our customers. Chances are you obtained this book from one of our authorized National Radon Defense dealers because you either have a radon issue or would like to learn more about the topic. You are not alone. Radon awareness continues to grow as people are learning just how dangerous radon can be. I truly believe that an educated customer makes for a great customer. Let s face it: the air you breathe is extremely important to your health. Together, let s ensure you and your loved ones are as healthy as possible. Curt Drew, CEO, National Radon Defense The purpose of this book is to give you enough knowledge to make an educated decision on how to improve your indoor air quality and overall comfort and safety of your home living environment. Through my years of selling and installing radon systems, and now training and supporting the largest network of radon service companies in North America, I have learned a lot of valuable information about indoor air quality. I have found that there are a lot of misunderstandings and misinformation about radon. I have also learned that indoor air quality is a big issue for many consumers. 2 3

3 Why are we considered the experts on radon? I started a local radon testing and mitigation business in 2007 in Omaha, Nebraska, after learning from a colleague about this dangerous gas called radon. As an entrepreneur, I was excited about the business opportunity to not only grow a successful local business to provide for my family, but also had a vision for a national network of radon contractors. That vision has come to fruition, but what I have learned along the way has been a blessing. I ve had the opportunity to visit with homeowners and small business owners across North America about radon issues. I have sat across the table from people with stage IV lung cancer. The health issues that radon is causing is really quite sobering. The work that we are doing is truly saving lives and that inspires our entire National Radon Defense network. My credentials include national and local certifications, as well as countless seminars. The real learning has been the hands-on work directly with consumers in my local market and supporting the largest network of radon professionals in North America. The National Radon Defense network is made up of honest and hardworking people making a difference in our communities. Our National Radon Defense dealers have worked together in about every type of home and building imaginable, from very difficult situations to very straightforward solutions. The knowledge base that we ve accumulated as a group in sharing and learning from each other has provided National Radon Defense the broadest expertise and resources to help our customers. What is radon? Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas, occurring naturally as the decay product of radium. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Even though you cannot see, smell or taste radon, it may be a problem in your home. It forms naturally from the decay of radioactive elements, such as uranium, which are found at different levels in soil and rock throughout the world. Radon gas in the soil and rock can move into the air and into groundwater and surface water. Radon is present outdoors and indoors. It is normally found at very low levels in outdoor air and in drinking water from rivers and lakes. It can be found at higher levels in the air in houses and other buildings, as well as in water from underground sources, such as well water. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you re at an even higher risk for developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage. U.S. Surgeon General Health Advisory Indoor radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It s important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques. How does radon cause lung cancer? In its natural state, uranium can change into radium. During this transformation, the noble gas radon is released. It then travels out of the earth and gets trapped in our homes and buildings. At this point, the radon goes through another transformation it breaks down into solid radioactive elements called radon decay products, also known as Radon Progeny, or Daughter Particles. These new radioactive elements, including the cancer-causing polonium, are released into the air and can stick to surfaces such as dust particles which are inhaled by humans and pets. Once inhaled, the radioactive elements can mutate the DNA cells found on the soft tissue of the lung. Mutated DNA cells are the cancer cells, which begin to divide without stopping and can spread into surrounding tissues. 4 5

4 SEER Estimate: 2010 US Mortality for Selected Cancers How radon was discovered Radon has been around forever, but it was a strange set of circumstances in 1984 that led scientists to realize the danger it poses in our homes. It s all thanks to Stanley Watras, a construction engineer at a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. The power plant had a monitor installed at the plant to check that workers did not accidentally accumulate an unsafe dose of radiation at work. The plant was under construction at the time, so there was no nuclear fuel, thus no way for Mr.Watras to have been exposed to any radiation at work. The plant was under construction at the time and there was no nuclear fuel at the plant, so there was no nuclear fuel, thus no way for Mr. Watras to have been exposed to any radiation at work. After Mr. Watras continued setting off the radiation alarms over the next few weeks, a team of specialists went to his home and discovered that Mr. Watras was not picking up the radiation at work, but rather was bringing it to work from home! They measured radiation levels at his home and found them to be 700 times higher than the maximum level considered safe for human exposure (the home tested at 2,700 pci/l and a safe level is well below 4 pci/l). The source of this enormous amount of radiation turned out to be radon, a naturally-occurring gas that made its way into the Watras home from underground. It had nothing to do with Mr. Watras job. The entire Watras family was living in an environment roughly equivalent to smoking nearly 200 packs of cigarettes per day. They moved out of the house immediately and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pennsylvania officials turned the house into a laboratory for long-term measurement of radon and radon decay products and evaluation of radon mitigation techniques. After many months, they reduced the radon concentration to an acceptable level, and the family was able to return. The Watras case prompted a regional testing program and led the EPA to launch public awareness campaigns and, in 1986, pass the Indoor Air Quality Research Act, encouraging states to pass their own radon action programs. 6 7

5 How Radon Gets Into Your Home: Stack Effect Stack effect is the natural movement of air into and out of buildings, chimneys and flue stacks, resulting from air buoyancy. Buoyancy occurs due to a difference in indoor-to-outdoor air density from temperature and moisture differences. The result is either a positive or negative buoyancy force. The greater the thermal difference and the height of the structure, the greater the buoyancy force, and thus the stack effect. The stack effect is also referred to as the chimney effect, and it helps drive natural ventilation, infiltration, and fires. When soil, which has natural uranium, breaks down and produces radon, the house acts as a vacuum and pulls gases, including radon, into the house through concrete slabs, open sump pits, and exposed dirt like crawl spaces. Moisture vapor and other natural and man-made toxic gases are also pulled into the house. Air moves up through the home naturally from the lower levels to the upper levels of the structure. Every 25 minutes, someone in America dies from radon induced lung cancer. How are we exposed to radon gas? For both adults and children, most exposure to radon comes from being indoors in homes, commercial buildings, schools, and other places. The levels of radon in homes and other buildings depend on the characteristics of the rock and soil in the area. As a result, radon levels vary greatly in different parts of the world and can vary even within neighborhoods. Elevated radon levels have been found in every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada. However, some areas will have much higher readings on average than others. The radon gas given off by soil or rock can enter buildings through cracks in floors or walls; construction joints; or gaps in foundations around pipes, wires, or pumps. Radon levels are usually highest in the basement or crawlspace because they are closest to the soil or rock that is the source of the radon. Therefore, people who spend much of their time in 8 9

6 basement rooms at home or at work have a greater risk of being exposed. Small amounts of radon can also be released from the water supply into the air, especially if the water source is underground. As the radon moves from the water to air, it can be inhaled. Water that comes from deep, underground wells may have higher levels of radon, whereas surface water (drawn from lakes or rivers) usually has very low radon levels. For the most part, water does not contribute much to overall exposure to radon, but if you use well water, you should have it tested for radon. It s easy and affordable. Radon exposure can also occur from some building materials if they are made from radon-containing substances. Almost any building material made from natural substances, including concrete and wallboard, may give off some level of radon. In most cases these levels are very low, but in a few instances these materials may contribute significantly to radon exposure. Some granite countertops may expose people to different levels of radon. Most health and radiation experts agree that while a small portion of granite countertops may give off increased levels of radon, most countertops give off extremely low levels. People concerned about radon from countertops and from other household sources can test these levels using home detection kits or by hiring a professional in the National Radon Defense network to do the testing. How do you measure radon? Radon levels in the air are measured by units of radioactivity per volume of air. The most common measure used in the United States is picocuries per liter (pci/l). In other parts of the world, including Canada, we measure levels of radon and other radiation in the air in becquerels (Bq/M3). The becquerel is defined as the activity of a quantity of radioactive material in which one nucleus decays per second. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pci/l. Outdoors, radon generally disperses and 10 11

7 does not reach high levels. Average levels of radon outdoors, according to the EPA, are about 0.4 pci/l. The EPA recommends fixing your home if the radon level inside is 4.0 pci/l or higher. What devices are commonly used for radon testing? Continuous Radon Monitors There are three general types of Continuous Radon Monitors: Scintillation Cell; Ionization Chamber, and Ambient Air Diffusion. Continuous Radon monitors are used by licensed radon professionals to conduct radon testing during home inspections and concerned homeowner screening. Radon monitors are very accurate and provide immediate results so National Radon Defense dealers utilize them in providing quality data to our customers. National Radon Defense dealers go through extensive training and testing to become licensed to provide radon measurement services. Correct placement of the monitor and interpretation of the results is critical. Radon levels fluctuate throughout the day and night as air pressure and entry forces change within a building. The radon professional must know a great deal about radon and building science in order to provide accurate results. We follow specific protocols for placing the monitor as well as educate the homeowner to ensure proper conditions are observed during the testing period. Short term testing for radon is 48 to 96 hours. Radon monitors are calibrated on an annual basis by an approved laboratory. National Radon Defense dealers track all their test results and report them to health department radon officials. We enjoy working hand-in-hand with the health department s radon division to study results, improve quality, and educate citizens about radon risks. Radon Test Kits Passive devices do not need power to function. These includes alpha track detectors, charcoal canisters, and charcoal liquid scintillation detectors. Some charcoal technologies are prone to interference by high humidity so may not be appropriate for use in all buildings. Charcoal kits are available to purchase in drug stores, hardware stores, online, and directly from radon laboratories. Passive devices are returned to the laboratory for analysis after the specified exposure period. Results are then ed or mailed to you. Passive testing devices and kits are available in short term (48 to 96 hour measurement period) or long term (90 day to one year). Radon levels within a building often change on a day-to-day basis. Highest indoor levels are often found during the heating season. Weather conditions, operation of furnaces and fireplaces, and opening/closing of windows and doors are among the factors that cause these patterns. Short-term test kits are the quickest way to test. These kits should remain in the building from two to 90 days, depending on the device. Testing must be conducted for at least 48 hours. Some devices must be exposed for a longer time. Because radon levels tend to vary from day-to-day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. The EPA recommends that for homes, initial measurements be short-term tests placed in the lowest lived-in level. Short-term testing under closed-building conditions helps to ensure that residents quickly learn if a home contains very high levels of radon. If you are doing a short-term test, close your windows and outside doors and keep them closed as much as possible during the test. If testing for just 2 or 3 days, be sure to close your windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before beginning the test as well. You should not conduct short-term tests lasting just 2 or 3 days during unusually severe storms or periods of unusually high winds. Because radon levels may fluctuate by as much as a factor of two or three, additional testing is sometimes recommended to better assess the average radon level. Though short-term 12 13

8 Radon Risk if You ve Smoked tests are sometimes used, long-term tests are often recommended. Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. Health Canada prefers long term testing. A long-term test gives a reading that is more likely to reflect the building s year-round average radon level than a short-term test. Because of seasonal variations in radon levels, the closer the long-term measurement is to 365 days, the more representative it will be of annual average radon levels. playroom, den, or bedroom. Avoid testing in a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or hallway. High humidity and drafty conditions can bias results from some test devices. Do not disturb the devices while they are sampling. Doing so may alter their results, so they should be placed out-of-the-way. If the lowest occupied level is not used much, consider also testing a higher-use area. This may help you to better estimate your long-term exposure. If time permits (more than 90 days), longterm tests can be used to confirm initial short-term results between 4 pci/l and 10 pci/l. When long-term test results are 4 pci/l or higher, the EPA recommends the problem be corrected. Where should home testing be done? The EPA recommends that testing be done in the lowest level of the home suitable for occupancy. This typically represents an area where the greatest radon level may occur. Ideally, the test should be conducted in a regularly used room on that level, such as a living room, Because most indoor radon comes from naturally occurring radon in the soil, high indoor levels are more likely to exist below the third floor. This is why the EPA recommends testing all homes below the third floor. In some cases, high radon levels have been found at or above the third floor, due to radon movement through elevators or other air shafts in the building. If you are concerned about this possibility, you may decide to test for radon on multiple levels

9 Radon Risk if You ve Never Smoked Testing a Multi-Family Building and Commercial Office buildings: According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development s (HUD) Radon Policy, a Radon Professional is to supervise the testing in at least 25% of randomly selected ground level units. Note that the HUD Radon Policy permits, and prefers, the testing of all ground level units, but many times financial and time constraints make the 25% requirement more feasible. In commercial office space, the requirement for testing ground level areas is one short term test every 2,000 square feet. What do the results mean? There is no safe level of radon. Your risk for lung cancer increases with higher levels of radon gas and increased exposure. Also, exposure to young children with developing lungs is particularly serious. study in 2009 concluded the same percentages across the globe. Health Canada concluded 13%. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers in the world. This is not just a U.S. or Canada issue. The World Health Organization issued a consensus document establishing an action level of 2.7 pci/l. The U.S. s action level is only 4 right now, but that could change. 1pCi/L = 2.5 Cigarettes 4 pci/l equals 1/2 a pack of cigarettes per day. Radon causes cancer in the exact same method as smoking, Polonium from this Type A Carcinogen breaks down DNA which creates cancer cells. We all know the dangers of smoking cigarettes. Since radon is radiation, we can compare radon exposure to other forms of radiation exposure to better understand risk. Lung cancer kills approximately 160,000 people in the U.S. each year. Radon is responsible for 11-15% of those deaths. These statistics are provided to us from the EPA and the American Cancer Society. A World Health Organization 16 17

10 How do we fix it? High radon levels can be fixed permanently in less than 1 day. The techniques we employ are proven to be extremely effective. In fact, within our network we have dropped radon levels from well over 100 pci/l to under 1 pci/l utilizing Active Soil Depressurization. We also employ several other methods to not only reduce your radon to the lowest possible level, but also to improve overall indoor air quality. Let me explain further how we mitigate radon and reduce the radon levels as low as possible. Active Soil Depressurization Most radon mitigation systems use Active Soil Depressurization (ASD) to reverse the normal flow of soil gas. This is the most effective technique to reduce radon levels. A radon fan and PVC piping are used to draw air out from under the concrete slab or membrane. The withdrawal of air causes the sub-slab or sub-membrane area to have lower pressure than the air in the house. This lower or negative pressure prevents the soil gas from entering the home. The system is referred to as a Sub- Slab Depressurization (SSD) system or a Sub-Membrane Depressurization (SMD) system. If a Sump Pit is present in the home, we may utilize its drain tile system as a suction source, which is called Sump Pit Depressurization (SPD). In a Sub-Slab Depressurization system, each suction location is created by coring a 5 hole through the slab and then removing the gravel and soil under the slab to create a suction pit. PVC radon piping is then inserted into the slab and sealed so that it is water and air tight. The National Radon Defense trained radon technicians seal all potential radon entry points in the concrete slabs and crawl spaces to ensure the radon gas is pulled through the system and safely vented outside of the structure. Thus, the harmful radon gas never enters your home. Filtering Radon Decay Product Radon mitigation is called mitigation because it s not possible to reduce radon levels 100%. That would be called remediation. Since radon is present in our outdoor air as well, it s impossible to totally eliminate it

11 Breathe EZ Air Cleaner: Effectiveness on Reducing Radon Decay Products Earlier in this book, we discussed how radon decay product is the actual culprit that causes lung cancer. When radon decays it produces new radioactive elements called radon daughters or decay products. These elements are solid and can stick to surfaces such as the dust particles in the air. The good news is that these radon decay elements that have attached themselves to particles can be filtered! The only problem remaining is that these particles are very small. To filter these you would need to filter down to.01 microns, which is much smaller than what traditional furnace air filters are designed to handle. The potential to filter radon decay products drove us at National Radon Defense to start researching the market for the best filter to potentially filter the very small RDP. We discovered a technology called Electronic Precipitation that was being used in Hospital and Laboratory air filters. This technology was just being introduced to the residential market, so we were excited to test these electronic precipitator filters. The clinical trials on this technology were extremely impressive. In fact, we reduced one home s radon decay product levels by 98% utilizing this filter, which we now call the Breathe EZ Air Cleaner. Keep in mind that we are just filtering the radioactive elements with this technique. We are not reducing the Noble Gas Radon. Those levels stay the same. But, the harmful elements that cause cancer are reduced significantly. Working with the manufacturer, we also equipped our new Breathe EZ Air Cleaner with carbon strips to absorb odors and chemicals in the air. Our filter is truly an air cleaner that has been proven to filter radon decay product up to 98%, absorb odors and chemicals in the air, and filter allergens, smoke, viruses, and dust mites. It s been a great additional product to offer our customers. Best approach In order to reduce your health risks of radon exposure if you have elevated levels of radon, we highly recommend you first install a radon mitigation system utilizing Active Soil Depressurization. Then, also install a Breathe EZ Air Cleaner to filter the remaining radon decay product. This radon mitigation strategy will be as close as possible to radon remediation

12 Ventilation and Positive Pressurization Another technique that we utilize at National Radon Defense is ventilation and positive pressurization. As we discussed earlier in the book, the stack effect is caused by the negative air pressure in the lower levels of the home that mine soil gases from under the house. If we can reduce this negative air pressure, we can thus reduce your radon levels. Also, supplying fresh air that has low radon content can also make an impact. That is exactly what we do when we install the Breathe EZ Energy Recovery Ventilator. National Radon Defense developed the Breathe EZ Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) as an option for homeowners where traditional Active Soil Depressurization wasn t viable. These situations can occur in homes with inaccessible crawl spaces, poor access to slabs, earth homes, HVAC returns under the slab, and other tough scenarios. The ERV has also proven to be a great option in schools and commercial buildings. Energy recovery ventilation is the process of drawing in fresh air from the outside and conditioning that air with the exhausting, stale indoor air in a residential or commercial building. The exhausting poor indoor air is used to condition the incoming outdoor air through the ERV core. During the warmer seasons, the ERV pre-cools the incoming air. In the cooler seasons the ERV pre-heats that air. The benefit of using energy recovery is the ability to meet the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) ventilation and energy standards, while improving indoor air quality and reducing total HVAC equipment capacity. National Radon Defense uses this technology to address radon by limiting the exhaust air flow, to positively pressurize the home and inject the conditioned fresh air. The Breathe EZ ERV is typically installed next to the air handler, or furnace, in the home. The Breathe EZ Energy Recovery Ventilator is a great solution to reduce radon to the lowest possible level. The ERV is the best technology available to improve overall indoor air quality. When we combine the ERV with the installation of an Active Soil Depressurization system, the results are dramatic improvements in the indoor living environment

13 Soil Vapor Intrusion Environmental soil pollution can enter buildings and homes through a process called soil vapor intrusion. Vapor intrusion is the migration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have high vapor pressure and low water solubility. They can be present in contaminated soils or groundwater. Most Vapor Intrusion events occur when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the subsurface from sources such as underground storage tanks, dry cleaners, gasoline stations, or industrial processes such as degreasing metals. VOCs typically associated with vapor intrusion are chlorinated solvents, including carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), and methylene chloride, and gasoline derivatives such as benzene. These chemicals can cause chronic human health conditions such as cancer, organ toxicity, or reproductive toxicity. Gases, such as methane migrating from landfills, may also present potential explosive hazards. Unlike radon gas, which occurs naturally, the hazardous elements mentioned above are man made. They enter the soil because of accidents or industrial activities. When buildings are constructed near or on top of contaminated soil, there s a risk of hazardous vapor intrusion. National Radon Defense employs the very same techniques discussed above for mitigating radon to resolve vapor intrusion issues. Whether you know you have VOC s coming into your home, or not, you can be assured your radon mitigation system is greatly reducing any of these potentially dangerous gases. Why This Is Not a Do It Yourself Project There are three reasons we feel that radon mitigation is not a do it yourself project. Number one, radon is a very serious health issue. It s important that when you fix your home it is done right. You want to make sure the system drops your levels as low as possible and continues to do so for years to come. This is not a job for amateurs

14 Annual Deaths from Environmental Causes The second reason is that reducing radon levels can be very tricky. We have extensive training and years of experience mitigating radon and we still have homes that are very challenging to reduce. Our diagnostic and fan application processes are second to none, and yet there are several factors to consider that make it challenging work. Many homeowners who attempt to fix it themselves fail and end up paying for a professional to fix it. The third reason this is not a do it yourself project is that investment in a radon system is very reasonable. Since we have economies of scale in our purchasing of materials and equipment, we can generally do the job for close to what you would pay for by doing it yourself. And, it s done in less than one day. So, leave it to the pros at National Radon Defense to protect you and your loved ones from radon. Why should you fix it now? The short answer is that you are going to have to pay for it sooner or later. You can invest in a radon mitigation system now and enjoy the health and peace of mind benefits for as long as you live in your home - or you will have to pay to have it fixed when you sell your home. Nearly every home sale includes a real estate inspection, and home inspections include radon testing. If high levels of radon are found, the buyers will demand you fix it or reduce the sale price to allow them to fix it. The bigger issue is that we know that radon exposure is cumulative. The longer you are exposed, the higher your odds are of getting lung cancer. Since this source of cancer is highly preventable, why would you take the risk for yourself and your loved ones? How much will it cost? One of the first questions we typically get is: How much is this going to cost? That is a very good question and I d be asking it too if I were in your position. To get to the best answer, we need to examine all factors that will determine the investment in your home s indoor air quality improvement system: Technical requirements are predetermined by the environment and structure of your home. These technical characteristics include: 26 27

15 your radon levels, other indoor air issues that need addressing, finished versus unfinished basement, exposed dirt or crawl space, number and size of concrete slabs, and overall accessibility. Government agencies set installation standards, acceptable radon reading levels, and means of mitigation. The National Radon Proficiency Program administers these requirements to our industry. Those standards dictate when the systems should be installed and how to properly design them. Neither the customer nor the licensed and certified mitigation specialists have any say in the standards to follow, no matter how minimal they are. The overall look of the radon mitigation system is your choice. We want to make you aware of all the aesthetic options to minimize the visual presence of the mitigation system. These selections are entirely up to you, but may impact the investment in your system. Radon systems can unsightly depending on where they are routed. The final factor is all about the people with whom you d like to work. At National Radon Defense, we only hire the most professional and friendly people who are able to pass our extensive background checks and drug screenings. We then give them expert level training, both in the installation of radon systems and in how to treat customers. By choosing a National Radon Defense dealer you are assured that the technicians in your home are qualified, trained, friendly, and safe. One analogy we like to use is purchasing a car. Cars are manufactured following technical requirements for the make and model. They must conform to government emission standards, as well as many other standards. You can decide what style you like. And, you can decide the manufacturer and dealership you want to work with. You also decide all the options you want on your vehicle. It s our job at National Radon Defense to educate you about all the options available so you can pick the best system for you. We will then address all the technical issues to improve your indoor air while following all standards and codes. Our people are the best, so our goal is to impress you with great service from your first contact with our company to the thank you card you receive after we complete the project

16 Explaining the Radon Industry There is a misconception in the radon industry that all radon companies that have acquired a state or national certification or license are equal. Thus, we are a commodity doing the exact same quality of service. Unfortunately for the consumer, this is not the case. There is huge disparity in the quality of work being done in the marketplace. Radon mitigation systems are not a commodity where everyone provides the exact same product and service. Why is this? Well, there are a few logical reasons. First, radon mitigation systems are rarely inspected by any governing body, like electrical inspectors or home building code inspectors. We frequently get calls to fix other companies problems. We know what it takes to run a successful business. Quality products, quality service, appropriate insurance, and quality people. The benefit to you is that the National Radon Defense network pricing is still very affordable. We leverage our combined purchasing power to drive down supply, equipment, and insurance costs. We also provide our network the best training in the industry by far. The results: happy customers and an expansive network of high quality, successful companies that can serve the customer for many years to come. Another reason is the nature of a real estate transaction. The seller wants to get as much money from their home as possible, while the buyer wants to make sure it doesn t have high radon levels. If the levels are high, the seller is often trying to get the radon contractors to bid the cheapest solution possible. Many radon contractors devalue their service to get the job. Unfortunately, to make a profit and stay in business, the radon contractor cuts corners. The corner cutting comes in the form of low quality/cheap labor, cheap supplies, improper insurance coverage, and installing the system in the easiest spot versus the most effective and aesthetically pleasing. The majority of the companies doing radon are fighting over real estate transaction work. Some companies are even doing radon installs for less than $1,000. When a company operates on a very small margin, it s extremely difficult for them to staff for service work. They simply don t have the money to pay someone to answer phones, make service trips, and fix the issues their low cost installations cause. The other dangerous cost cutting measure is not having adequate insurance, which could be a huge disaster if something goes wrong at a customer s house

17 What else are you breathing in your home? We have found that people that are concerned about radon exposure are also interested in improving their overall indoor air quality. We ve been asked many times about allergies, asthma, respiratory issues and mold. These consumer needs actually drove National Radon Defense to expand our knowledge about overall indoor air quality. We now have developed extensive training classes for our network across North America. Along with this training we have researched and developed a line of several cutting-edge and very effective indoor air quality solutions. These technologies can be great compliments to a radon mitigation system if you have other indoor air quality issues. We d like to share a quick overview of the other potential health hazards that are present indoors. The Environmental Protection Agency refers to these indoor air pollutants as the 5 Danger Levels. Explanation of the 5 Danger Levels of Indoor Air Quality Danger Level 5: Dangerous Gases These gases are radon and carbon monoxide. Both are odorless, tasteless, invisible gases with a potentially deadly impact on your family. We ve already discussed radon extensively in this book. Carbon monoxide is also a gas that can be fatal. Carbon monoxide can build up in the blood stream and prolonged exposure to low levels can be very serious. High levels of exposure can kill humans very quickly. NRD recommends every home owner has a Carbon Monoxide Detector installed. In fact, in Canada carbon monoxide detectors are required in all homes and buildings. The best option is a detector that measures high levels and low levels (non- UL listed detector). UL Listed detectors only alarm if the CO levels are above 70 parts per million. That is a very high level. Non-UL listed CO detectors will measure down to 5 parts per million. Consult with your National Radon Defense dealer to select the best option for your home. Danger Level 4: Microbial Growth These are micro-organisms such as mold and fungal spores that float around in the home and cause serious health effects. Mold is the most commonly searched 32 33

18 indoor air quality issue on the internet, so we realize how important this issue is to our customers. Naturally occurring mold is everywhere. But when mold is in abundance in areas it shouldn t be, it can reach toxic levels and become a health hazard. Most elevated levels of mold are due to two things inadequate ventilation in unfinished areas of the home and moisture intrusion. Beyond that, their HVAC system, when it is running, is a natural breeding ground for these microbes. In your furnace you have an A/C coil that is constantly sweating and creating moisture that ends up standing in what s called your drain pan. This standing water in a damp dark environment turns into what can be called a high school science project. When the blower kicks on it picks up these spores and viruses and blows them into ductwork and ultimately into your home for your family to breathe in and ingest. High humidity in a home can create ideal living conditions for these microscopic organisms to live. A radon system will impact the overall humidity of a basement indirectly. That is an added benefit of a radon system. But, in most cases, a radon system is not enough to create a large impact at reducing humidity and thus, mold potential. Standing water or water vapor that seeps in under your foundation can also be a breeding ground for mold growth. Point out any areas you noticed in your house during the walk through with your NRD Specialist. Allergies can also be the direct result of exposure to invisible mold spores. In fact, the Mayo Clinic has stated that 9 out of 10 sinus infections are caused by mold instead of bacterial infections, which means that antibiotics are completely useless against them. If you are suffering from any of these health issues or are just plain concerned about the healthiness of your family s living environment, a simple mold test is always a good idea. Danger Level 3: Allergens and Particulates These air pollutants can be major factors for people as they deal with breathing issues. For millions of Americans, allergy season never ends. Colder temperatures that eliminate the problems of grass and tree pollens also drive people indoors where they meet troublesome dust mites, animal dander, and mold spores. Most indoor environments actually trap airborne allergens where they can pose a risk to respiratory health. Many people with allergic rhinitis also can be at risk of developing allergic asthma. Symptoms to watch for are a persistent cough or wheezing. Asthma attacks and allergy symptoms are triggered by indoor air particulates (and outside particulates too). The outside air migrates indoors through open doors, windows, and natural air intrusion. When these contaminants enter they combine with dust mites, pet dander, smoke, and the other 4 danger levels to create an unhealthy living environment. Danger Level 2: Infectious Illnesses: Colds, the flu, bacteria, germs, and viruses; these are airborne illnesses or microorganisms. These germs, viruses and bacteria are naturally carried in by animals and family members from the outside. Once in the house they become airborne and get sucked into the air distribution system and redistributed over and over. Particles in the air act as transportation for these germs. It s very obvious to people how germs spread in a home when you discuss how illness travels from one person to another. Kids are especially susceptible to the spreading of illnesses because their immune systems are not as strong as adults. Danger Level 1: Toxic Compounds (Internal and Exterior) Chemicals, off-gassing, odors, and pollutants (Volatile Organic Compounds) These come from carpets, paints, stains, furniture, and much more. When these items are new they produce toxic chemicals that you breathe for up to 7 years. Not to mention that homes are being constructed tighter and tighter which traps these toxic chemicals in our homes. It s no wonder childhood asthma has increased 600% in the last 30 years! It s true, we have 750,000 new asthma cases per year due to poor indoor air quality. Newly built homes and buildings very commonly have high toxic compound 34 35

19 levels. It can take up to 7 years for a home s VOC levels to naturally fall into safe levels. If you live in a new home and are concerned about the quality of your air, please ask your National Radon Defense dealer to perform an Indoor Air Quality test using an AirAdvice monitor. External toxic compounds are also very serious. What we are referring to here are pesticides and herbicides that we put on our grass and fields. Those compounds build up in our soil and off-gas into our homes. As discussed on page 25, soil vapor intrusion pollutants like TCE, PCE, Benzene, and Methane gas can travel into the home through the same path as radon. How to test for other contaminants With modern testing equipment advancements, it s now very easy and affordable to test your air for a variety of pollutants. National Radon Defense dealers have Indoor Air Quality Specialists who are trained and equipped to test overall indoor air quality and comfort utilizing the AirAdvice for Homes monitoring system. This diagnostic program makes the invisible visible and shows you how to make your home as healthy, comfortable, and safe as possible. The Air Advice report details any problems your home might have with humidity, carbon dioxide levels, carbon monoxide, chemical levels, and particulate counts. This test device can generate a report in 30 minutes and also survey the house for a 7 day period. Ask your National Radon Defense dealer about the test if you have additional concerns about the 5 Danger Levels of indoor air quality. Radon discovery during a real estate transaction Radon testing and radon mitigation are quickly becoming a common issue during real estate transactions. More and more citizens are being educated about the risks associated with radon gas. These radoneducated buyers are looking for a new home with low radon levels. Even if the buyers do not know about radon, many home inspectors offer radon testing as an option during the home inspection process and their clients often choose this option. A home with low or reduced radon levels will be more appealing to home buyers

20 Homes with radon issues can be sold but homes with resolved radon issues are more sellable. Consider radon testing and radon mitigation as a part of preparing the home to be sold. We advise listing agents to recommend to their clients to test for and repair any radon issue before placing the house on the market. This can prevent any future roadblock or surprises that may occur after the home inspection. You don t want any surprises during the home inspection process. It would be a shame to have a high radon level reduce the odds of selling your house. The EPA action level of 4 pci/l is important when it comes to buying and selling a home. Home owners that have a level above 4 will need to disclose that they have high radon. Not doing so is illegal. They can take their chances that the new buyer will not want to test, but within a couple years it will more than likely be required, just like termite inspections. Why not enjoy the benefits of a radon mitigation system while you live there? You are going to have to invest in one sooner or later anyway. Nobody wants to have an issue arise during a real estate transaction especially in today s tough market. Educate yourself with the correct radon information before you place your home on the market and you will certainly be better prepared to sell your home. Radon issues do not have to kill a real estate deal. Radon Resistant New Construction By building radon-resistant new homes, builders and contractors provide a public health service helping to reduce a buyer s risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon in indoor air. These radonresistant homes can be an important selling point for health conscious home buyers. It is generally more cost effective to include radon-resistant features during new construction than it is to mitigate the home after construction. While the techniques may vary for different house foundations and building site requirements, there are five basic features that builders should include to prevent radon from entering a home. 1. Gravel: Use a 4-inch layer of clean, coarse gravel below the slab, also called the foundation. This layer of gravel allows the soil gases, including radon, to move freely underneath the house. Builders call this the air flow layer or gas permeable layer because the loose gravel allows the gases to circulate. In some regions of the country, gravel may be too expensive or unnecessary. Alternatives are allowed, such as a perforated pipe or a collection mat. 2. Plastic Sheeting or Vapor Retarder: Heavy duty plastic sheeting or a vapor retarder is placed on top of the gravel to prevent the soil gases from entering the house. The sheeting also keeps the concrete from clogging the gravel layer when the slab is poured. 3. Vent Pipe: A 3-inch or 4-inch solid PVC Schedule 40 pipe, like the ones commonly used for plumbing, is installed vertically from the gravel layer through the house s conditioned space and roof to safely vent radon and other soil gases outside the house. This pipe should be labeled Radon System. A certified radon professional can do this. 4. Sealing and Caulking: Seal all openings, cracks, and crevices in the concrete foundation floor (including the slab perimeter crack) and walls with polyurethane caulk to prevent radon and other soil gases from entering the home. 5. Junction Box: Install an electrical junction box in the attic for use with a vent fan. New home buyers may ask the builder about these features, and if not provided, may ask the builder to include them in the new home. Constructing radon resistant new homes makes great sense and can add value by protecting health and reducing costs for your customers

21 Myths & Misunderstandings But, I don t have a basement! But, I live on the top of a hill! But, we have sandy soils in our area But, my house is old But, my house in new Can t I just seal the cracks?? But, my neighbor s house tested low! We ve heard them all. The fact is high radon levels can be present in any structure. Even if your neighbor, or geography in general, has low levels. High radon levels have been found in every State and Province in North America. Testing your home is the only way to know for sure. MYTH: Scientists aren t sure radon really is a problem. FACT: Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers. MYTH: Radon testing is difficult, time consuming and expensive. FACT: Radon testing is easy. You can test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon testing company. Either approach takes only a small amount of time and effort. MYTH: Radon test kits are not reliable and are difficult to find. FACT: Reliable test kits are available from qualified radon testers and companies. Reliable testing devices are also available by phone or mail-order, and can be purchased in hardware stores and other retail outlets. Do it yourself kits can cost less than $25. Professional radon testing by a Radon Measurement Specialist is typically less than $300 and can be completed in less than 1 week. MYTH: Homes with radon problems can t be fixed. FACT: There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. The National Radon Defense network provides free inspection and proposal services as a standard practice throughout our network. We also guarantee the effectiveness of the systems. MYTH: Radon only affects certain kinds of homes. FACT: House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, homes without basements. Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes. MYTH: Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country. FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know your radon level is to test. MYTH: A neighbor s test result is a good indication of whether your home has a problem. FACT: It s not. Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it

22 MYTH: Everyone should test their water for radon. FACT: Although radon gets into some homes through water, it is important to first test the air in the home for radon. If your water comes from a public water system that uses ground water, call your water supplier. High radon levels from public water sources are extremely rare. If you get your water from a private well, we recommend you test your water. Contact your National Radon Defense dealer for an easy and affordable radon water test. MYTH: I ve lived in my home for so long, it doesn t make sense to take action now. FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you ve lived with a radon problem for a long time. MYTH: It s difficult to sell homes where radon problems have been discovered. FACT: Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have not been blocked or frustrated. The added protection is often a good selling point