Radon and the Ridge
By Cheryl Neal
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas. The leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, it seeps into homes through cracks in foundations and crawl spaces when naturally occurring uranium breaks down in rocks and sediments deposited by the Missoula Floods. Radon release typically is concentrated in a spotty way in the soil, if found at all.
In February 2013, updated data in the Oregonian showed 20-37 percent of tests in zip code 97231 showed higher than the acceptable level of 4 picocuries/liter.
Having botched previous testing attempts, I teamed up with friends to test at the same time. We found that hardware stores and big-box home supply stores which typically carry test kits were running low, though eventually, helping each other, we gathered up enough of the kits to start together. Testing runs ~$40/ kit: $10 for the kit and $30 for analysis.
We chose Wednesday night to Sunday night, using an additional prompt of stopping testing just before tuning in to one of the few television series we all watch. I cautioned that it was important to read the instructions all the way through at the outset. In addition to recording details of the collection process, we noted an easily missed step: on-line registration. At the last minute, one of us had difficulty with online registration. We exchanged information over the telephone, and luckily, I was able to connect to get her registered. The very day, after an early morning walk, we handed off all of the kits to the one running errands, who dropped them at the post office on the way.
One person’s test came back at less than 1 picocurie per liter. The other’s came back at less than 2 picocuries per liter. Mine came back just over 4 picocuries per liter. Now I was on my own to re-test. Which I did, finding persistently elevated levels.
Next, I searched for a certified radiation mitigation professional. Contractor #1 squatted dead-center in the lower level of my house, shifted his eyes right, then left, and offered additional testing for $169, saying not one other thing. The whole visit took sub-fifteen minutes.
Contractor #2 requested a last minute change in the appointment, spent quantities of time going over and over first this area of the lower level, then that. First this area of the perimeter of the house and foundation and then that. He took multiple pictures. He requested lots of information about the house and looked at blueprints, taking pictures of those.
Contractor #3 showed up on time, was efficient and seemed knowledgeable, and, although not as thorough as the second, did assess my home, making cost-effective suggestions regarding further testing and mitigation.
Great! Both contractor #2 and #3 had given me detailed information. I asked for bids.
Neither got back to me.
Two weeks later, contractor # 2 did respond. We worked through a plan and signed a contract...which resulted in weeks of inefficiency, poor communication, lack of follow-through and, what appeared to me, a stunning lack of concern for my safety. Apparently uncurious regarding the results of their work, no post-mitigation testing was done, nor were any short-term kits supplied as the contract stated they would be.
Back I went to the big box and $40 test kits. The radiation levels did NOT fall. In fact, they were higher than ever, corresponding to a change in the weather. Eventually contractor #2 and I mutually decided that the contract had not been fulfilled and if they would come and haul away the very inadequate mitigation apparatus attached to the front of my home, we’d call it good and move on.
Back to Contractor #3. Turns out he had left the company; my work order had fallen through the cracks. I contacted his employer, Cascade Radon, directly. They were prompt, efficient, worked sensibly through a plan, handled my concerns regarding water contamination (I have a holding tank), and vented my house without disruptions or mess. Best of all, radon levels in my home are less than 2.5 picocuries/liter everywhere and less than 1 picocurie/liter where I spend most of my time.
My recommendations: Test for Radon. Mitigate if indicated. Call Cascade Radon for help.
For further information, start with: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/RADIATIONPROTECTION/...
(Originally published in the Skyline Ridge Runner, Oct. 2013)
By Cheryl Neal
Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas. The leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, it seeps into homes through cracks in foundations and crawl spaces when naturally occurring uranium breaks down in rocks and sediments deposited by the Missoula Floods. Radon release typically is concentrated in a spotty way in the soil, if found at all.
In February 2013, updated data in the Oregonian showed 20-37 percent of tests in zip code 97231 showed higher than the acceptable level of 4 picocuries/liter.
Having botched previous testing attempts, I teamed up with friends to test at the same time. We found that hardware stores and big-box home supply stores which typically carry test kits were running low, though eventually, helping each other, we gathered up enough of the kits to start together. Testing runs ~$40/ kit: $10 for the kit and $30 for analysis.
We chose Wednesday night to Sunday night, using an additional prompt of stopping testing just before tuning in to one of the few television series we all watch. I cautioned that it was important to read the instructions all the way through at the outset. In addition to recording details of the collection process, we noted an easily missed step: on-line registration. At the last minute, one of us had difficulty with online registration. We exchanged information over the telephone, and luckily, I was able to connect to get her registered. The very day, after an early morning walk, we handed off all of the kits to the one running errands, who dropped them at the post office on the way.
One person’s test came back at less than 1 picocurie per liter. The other’s came back at less than 2 picocuries per liter. Mine came back just over 4 picocuries per liter. Now I was on my own to re-test. Which I did, finding persistently elevated levels.
Next, I searched for a certified radiation mitigation professional. Contractor #1 squatted dead-center in the lower level of my house, shifted his eyes right, then left, and offered additional testing for $169, saying not one other thing. The whole visit took sub-fifteen minutes.
Contractor #2 requested a last minute change in the appointment, spent quantities of time going over and over first this area of the lower level, then that. First this area of the perimeter of the house and foundation and then that. He took multiple pictures. He requested lots of information about the house and looked at blueprints, taking pictures of those.
Contractor #3 showed up on time, was efficient and seemed knowledgeable, and, although not as thorough as the second, did assess my home, making cost-effective suggestions regarding further testing and mitigation.
Great! Both contractor #2 and #3 had given me detailed information. I asked for bids.
Neither got back to me.
Two weeks later, contractor # 2 did respond. We worked through a plan and signed a contract...which resulted in weeks of inefficiency, poor communication, lack of follow-through and, what appeared to me, a stunning lack of concern for my safety. Apparently uncurious regarding the results of their work, no post-mitigation testing was done, nor were any short-term kits supplied as the contract stated they would be.
Back I went to the big box and $40 test kits. The radiation levels did NOT fall. In fact, they were higher than ever, corresponding to a change in the weather. Eventually contractor #2 and I mutually decided that the contract had not been fulfilled and if they would come and haul away the very inadequate mitigation apparatus attached to the front of my home, we’d call it good and move on.
Back to Contractor #3. Turns out he had left the company; my work order had fallen through the cracks. I contacted his employer, Cascade Radon, directly. They were prompt, efficient, worked sensibly through a plan, handled my concerns regarding water contamination (I have a holding tank), and vented my house without disruptions or mess. Best of all, radon levels in my home are less than 2.5 picocuries/liter everywhere and less than 1 picocurie/liter where I spend most of my time.
My recommendations: Test for Radon. Mitigate if indicated. Call Cascade Radon for help.
For further information, start with: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/RADIATIONPROTECTION/...
(Originally published in the Skyline Ridge Runner, Oct. 2013)
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