Model Train Journal

The house across the street from me has been for sale for six months, with little traffic. It's a well-worn little rancher in need of updates, but nothing drastic. A lot of folks have traipsed through it, but no buyer to date. It's been "inspected", twice. Not sure what people's expectations are when looking at older houses.

These guys showed up today:



I can't help but think this is whole radon issue is a bit over-blown, yet people around here are compelled to "remediate" for high readings, typically in their basement. The old couple that lived there were well into their late 80's when they moved out, having lived in the house for more than 50 years.

They say living in a house with radon is the equivalent to smoking a couple packs a day...I'm doubting it. Feels like a money-grab...

What do ya think?

Healey

Complicated.

Radon is a accepted carcinogen and at extremely low levels. It's an alpha emitter and its daughter radionuclides tend to have several radionuclides in the decay chain that are also alpha emitter. The numbers of emissions that impact a single cell to result in mutations that can trigger cancer is exceedingly low - single digit numbers have been reported. Single digit traversals of the nucleus of a cell can also result in cell death. I was involved in research using alpha emitters for 30+ years. We never took anything for granted with these and any that were volatile were treated with the most extreme care possible.

Some of the data that's used to support the mitigation in homes is derived from mining data and that can be be an exaggeration. This remediation issue is required just about everywhere now.

That the prior family never had issues is probably not relevant - everyone's genome and propensity to developing cancer triggered by whatever ever is somewhat different. All these stories I hear about "Well, it never happened to me and I smoked for....." just makes me think that they were just lucky, and that the next guy won't be.

Well, thanks for lending the voice of reason, together with what I guess is a long bit of the field you were/are in. Our locale here atop Parr's Ridge is deemed one of the radon hot-spots in Maryland, so maybe I should have someone in. In the meantime, I'll spend a bit less time in the basement.

healey36 wrote:Well, thanks for lending the voice of reason, together with what I guess is a long bit of the field you were/are in. Our locale here atop Parr's Ridge is deemed one of the radon hot-spots in Maryland, so maybe I should have someone in. In the meantime, I'll spend a bit less time in the basement.

Exhaust ventilation tends to be the solution.

Do it youself kits are available at the big box DIY stores. Home Depot carries them. All they do is vent inside air to t h e outside. Tighter houses have led to higher concentrations.