Radon test

[Kurt Ullman]

I'll be the fourth to ask, although it would just be out of curiosity,
since your reading would have no significance for any of the rest of us,
unless we live in your neighborhood.

I think they wanted BOTH to judge if the cheap one is comparable to the
expensive one.

Someone here said that Radon was not a major killer, but a proven killer.
Well, It is only the second major cause of lung cancer after cigarette
smoking.

Well no. That changed, now second-hand smoke is the most recent
SECOND MAJOR CAUSE of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.. because that
is where the money is.

When you, or anyone in your family, are personally affected by any toxic
or dangerous material, it becomes "very" major.

Do you know of anyone. The second (or third) cause of lung cancer was
born by taking the epidemiological studies from underground miners and
extapolating it to homeowners. Last time I looked, admittedly about 6
years ago, there was not yet a study of residential radon and what
really happened.

 

[willshak]

Wholly agree. That's the point I was making in my first reply; it
needs to be put in context.

You might be interested in:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/radioactivity/background/radon.htm

I didn't realize that you were in the UK. Here in the US it is more
prevalent, possibly because of a different geology.
Here is a Radon Zone map of the US. (I live in the dark red area in the NE)
http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html
Here is an official US site about Radon.
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35420
I live over a shale ledge which is one of the biggest producers of Radon.
My house has a concrete walled basement with a poured concrete floor.
All gaps and seams are sealed.

 

[willshak]

I think they wanted BOTH to judge if the cheap one is comparable to the
expensive one.



Well no. That changed, now second-hand smoke is the most recent
SECOND MAJOR CAUSE of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.. because that
is where the money is.

Cite?

Do you know of anyone. The second (or third) cause of lung cancer was
born by taking the epidemiological studies from underground miners and
extapolating it to homeowners. Last time I looked, admittedly about 6
years ago, there was not yet a study of residential radon and what
really happened.

Nope, I don't know. I was only stating that *any* toxic or dangerous
material that affects someone in your family becomes "very" major,
whether it be lung cancer, radon poisoning, mesothelioma, or anything else.

 

[Kurt Ullman]

American Cancer Society and any municipality or state that is trying
to ban smoking in public spaces.

Nope, I don't know. I was only stating that *any* toxic or dangerous
material that affects someone in your family becomes "very" major,
whether it be lung cancer, radon poisoning, mesothelioma, or anything else.

And I am saying that as of the last time I looked there were NO
studies showing that it was either toxic or dangerous outside of
industrial exposures.

 

[Caesar Romano]

Actually, I'm surprised for home inspections they don't have a
canister that can be chained to something to keep it from being moved.

It still could be defeated by opening a window and running a fan
across the canister.

 

[Caesar Romano]

Do you know of anyone. The second (or third) cause of lung cancer was
born by taking the epidemiological studies from underground miners and
extapolating it to homeowners. Last time I looked, admittedly about 6
years ago, there was not yet a study of residential radon and what
really happened.

And for good reason.

The effects can't be observed, but only calculated based on an
extrapolation under the assumption that *any* injury (no matter how
small or infinitesimal) to the human organism cannot be recovered
from. It's called the "linear response no threshold" hypothesis.
Without it, you can't even calculate the radon effects to homeowners,
much less observe them.

Nevertheless, it's a $$$-maker for a lot of vested interests, so it
stays.

 

[clot]

I didn't realize that you were in the UK. Here in the US it is more
prevalent, possibly because of a different geology.
Here is a Radon Zone map of the US. (I live in the dark red area in
the NE) http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html
Here is an official US site about Radon.
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35420
I live over a shale ledge which is one of the biggest producers of
Radon. My house has a concrete walled basement with a poured concrete
floor. All gaps and seams are sealed.

You made a correct assumption! It's interesting how folk adapt; I'm from
Wales (N) where granite figures for radon, though I have lived in
England for the past 40 years and for 25 of those close to a large
granite outcrop. Here in England, folk don't realise that I spoke Welsh
as a child and think I'm from "Middle England". Likewise, I guess, when
responding on a US centric usegroup I tend to "cross The Pond" to some
extent!

I've literally only scanned the first site that you posted. I felt it
was objective and I am prepared to believe factually correct, but could
be misconstrued,(I have a high regard for the EPA despite some bad
press at times in the US, having worked with EPA folk on common interest
issues). The Press in the UK do tend to be more dramatic than in the US.
If the words:
a.. "There are many thousands of individual homes with elevated radon
levels in Zone 2 and 3. Elevated levels can be found in Zone 2 and Zone
3 counties." were used in the UK, the tabloid press would be having fun
the next day!
a.. Sorry about the blobs which I picked up quoting the EPA site, I've
had a bad day editting documents today with indents and other formatting
problems and I'm not going to sort any more out tonight!
a..
a.. Do you have local experience of someone who has suffered? Are you
recently being made aware of the issue? I'm curious because over here we
are rightly and wrongly being hyped to consider radon when moving house!
a..
a.. Regards
a..
a.. Clot

 

[Kurt Ullman]

And for good reason.

The effects can't be observed, but only calculated based on an
extrapolation under the assumption that *any* injury (no matter how
small or infinitesimal) to the human organism cannot be recovered
from. It's called the "linear response no threshold" hypothesis.
Without it, you can't even calculate the radon effects to homeowners,
much less observe them.

But if so, there should still be "hot spots" of lung cancer in
non-smokers in areas with high radon. There are vays (g).

 

[alvinamorey]

There goes $155 down the drain......
Some company made a killing based on the Radon scam.....
Oh well, it's not my money !!!!!!

 

[NA]

Hello,
What is the going rate for a professional radon test in your area? I know I
could get a $20.00 test at the borg, but I was thinking of a professional
testing place to do it. I live in New England.
.
I know there are all sorts of prices, etc. Just trying to get a general
idea.
thanks.

There were some reviews for the radon tester:
http://www.amazon.com/Safety-Siren-...74-4604939?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1192478876&sr=8-3

Someone hired radon professonal to do the test, and used that device
to compare the results, There were no much difference. It is
estimated that the error can be 25% under different temperature/
humidity levels.

I have been using this device in my basement for about 3 years and
monitor it. The radon level fluctuate from season to season, even
within days if outside temperature/humidity change a lot. I guess some
of radon level change is from measuring under different temperature/
humidity.

The device has a long term and shor term (1 week) measurement setting.
My long term (over one year, since a long power outage reset the
device) is 1.7. I open my basement door/windows daily (It is a
walkout basement). But this summer, the short measurement reached 4+
as I kept the doors/windows closed for a month (went overseas for a
vacation). I believe a pro can't really measure those.
for almost 3 years now.

 

[virginiaharms]

Hi,

I went for the cheapest solution for a test. In New York, there is a
subsidized test kit from New York State. The laboratory you send the
cansiter too is also "OK-ed" by NYS. The New York State test is I thin
$US 6.75 per carbon canister. Includes the canister, lab costs and
postage.

Maybe your state also has such a radon testing program.
radon in home
Best Mike.

Who on here has experience with getting their house tested for Radon gas. Seems to be kits you buy and then send away, or the more expensive route of having an actual detector in your house.

Always trying to keep my family safe, but saying that, also have never tested our house either. This was never on my radar, but probably should of been.