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Radon-Free
Home Construction: A Little Bit Goes A Long Way
There’s an old saying
that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,"
and when it comes to safeguarding homes against radon exposure, this
ounce of prevention could mean the difference between life and
death.
Radon is an odorless,
colorless, tasteless gas produced from the breakdown of underground
uranium.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) estimates between 15,000 and
22,000 Americans die annually from exposure radon, which can seep
into the home through unprotected crawl spaces, basements and even
slab-on-grade homes.
Fortunately for
homeowners, there are several techniques available to building
contractors that will enable them to safeguard homes against radon
before construction is completed.
The biggest advantage of
safeguarding the home during construction is that it saves
homeowners a large amount of money in the long run. It typically
costs between $300 and $500 to protect a home against radon – not
a very steep price at all when one considers it can cost five times
that amount to fix an existing home.
In addition, by sealing
out soil gases, humidity in the home is reduced. Your home will be
more energy efficient.
After construction is
completed, the home should be tested for radon.
If the emissions are
below 4 picocuries per liter, no additional work is required.
However, in cases where radon emission levels equal or exceed 4
picocuries per liter, builders should equip venting pipes with
continuously running fans.
Venting pipes can be
installed in a way that will not distract from the home’s
overall appearance. In fact, during construction, it’s easy to
route the pipe through the wall interiors so they won’t be
unsightly.
Radon-resistant homes
should be a top priority in the 15 "Zone 1," North and
Central Alabama counties, which EPA has designated high-risk areas
for radon exposure. These counties include: Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne,
Colbert, Coosa, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence,
Limestone, Madison, Morgan, Shelby and Talladega.
The Alabama Cooperative
Extension System and the Alabama Department of Public
Health with EPA support are involved in a multi-agency effort in
these Zone 1 areas to alert homeowners to the dangers of radon.
They have compiled a
number of educational materials available to homeowners and builders
at no cost. These include free training information and literature
as well as an instructional videotape developed by the National Home
Builders Association titled "Radon Doesn’t Have To be A
Problem." In addition, training in radon-resistant home
construction can be provided to local home builder associations in
the Zone 1 Alabama counties.
Certificates also are
available to builders offering radon-free construction.
For more information,
contact a county Extension office in one of the Zone 1 counties or
visit the "Radon in Alabama" web site (www.aces.edu/radon).
To receive more
information on new construction training or other radon programs,
contact Dr. Harry Strawn, director of Extension radon programs, at
(334) 844- 3688, or Assistant Program Director Susan Roberts at
(334) 844-3686. In Madison County, contact Sabrina Lyle, Extension
radon education technician at the Madison County Extension Office,
at (256) 532-1578 Ext. 11.
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