Radon is a natural-occurring gas caused by the breakdown of uranium to radium and then from radium to radon, according to the American Lung Association. The gas can build up inside of homes or other buildings, and have several negative effects, such as effects on health and finances. In addition, builders and contractors are effected by having to develop new construction techniques.
Health Effect
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, accounting for approximately 20,000 deaths each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. The risk for developing lung cancer is multiplied for smokers exposed to radon. Lung cancer is difficult to treat and has a low survival rate. It is the only known health effect associated with exposure to radon.
Financial Effect
You should test for radon within their home to determine if repairs are required. Home tests are available for purchase in stores if you prefer to save money on the test, or professional radon testers are available for hire. You should perform repairs on your home if the tests determine radon levels are high. The EPA recommends performing repairs if the test shows 4 pico Curies per Liter. Some repairs are more expensive than others, and some contractors charge more for repairing your home than others. You should hire a contractor that specializes in repairing homes to reduce radon levels. The EPA reports that the average cost for hiring a contractor to perform radon reducing repairs is $800 to $2,500. Consult the EPA website for more information on hiring a contractor to reduce radon in your home.
Effect on Builders
As information about the health effects of radon is passed onto the public, more new home buyers are searching for homes built with radon-resistant features. Home builders will need to start constructing new homes or refurbishing older homes with radon resistant construction methods. The EPA reports builders can include radon-resistant techniques when building new homes for the approximate cost of $250 to $750 and receive training from the government. Though radon-resistant construction comes at a higher cost, builders may find they need to incorporate the construction techniques to meet consumer demand.
