Homeowners need
help with hot soil

Printed: April 16, 2002; The Decatur Daily News, online edition

Building codes are to protect consumers and ensure quality construction.

So why does the Decatur Home Builders Association, which one would think in favor of maintaining high quality products, oppose a radon protection requirement in local building codes?

Some city officials appear willing to compromise on this issue to get the proposed International Codes adopted. The codes, the first set of coordinated, consistent regulations for construction for the whole United States, includes as optional in its appendix a provision for radon protection.

That's because not every county in the United States has the same level of radon in its soil. The code makes it possible for communities without significant readings to dispense with that provision.

However, the Environmental Protection Agency has classified Morgan County as a Zone 1, meaning the county is among the worst in the nation. Radon, which has been estimated to cause up to 30,000 lung cancer deaths a year, occurs naturally in the soil. One of the reasons for high radon levels is emission of radon from shale beneath the Tennessee River.

According to the Alabama Department of Health, some areas of Morgan County emit radon gas levels with a risk equivalent to smoking 180 cigarettes a day.

Radon protection is no longer optional in that risk category.

Builders association officials say adding radon protection to new home construction would cost from $500 to $2,000. However, adding protection later to a completed home could cost the homeowner up to $5,000.

A prudent homebuyer, as well as inquiring about past heating bills, property taxes, accessibility to public services and the condition of plumbing and wiring, would do well to ask the seller about radon levels.

Caveat emptor has been a wise admonition throughout the ages, but especially when purchasing a home in Morgan County. If public officials are not willing to require builders to install radon protection, then buyers must beware.

If a building contractor does not care enough about his product or the welfare of his customers to install radon protection, perhaps potential homebuyers should shop around for a builder who does.