Read more about radon gas but in summary, it is naturally occurring in the ground and you can't see or smell it. Colorado tends to have high levels of radon gas. You can buy a radon detector which typically refers to expensive devices which provide a near real-time reading. I opted to purchase some $10 radon test kits back in 2002 after I had cut the concrete foundation for improved access to the crawl space and thefore further exposing the dirt - i.e. I figured this would be the worst case scenerio. These measured 8.3 and 9.4 picoCuries/Liter. This isn't as bad as it sounds - based on the EPA Radon Risk Chart, this increases my chance of lung cancer from 2 per 1000 to 4 ... if I was a smoker, it would be 71! And since I don't spend that much time down in the basement, I wasn't too worried. As an side, positive pressure radon mitigiation systems show their results with a water manometer not much different than that one! ;-)
I got two radon testing kits from from these guys. You leave 'em in your basement for
several days undisturbed at a "breathing level for radon gas" ... so I hung
it from a light drawstring as can be seen below. They are real simple;
open up the package, fold out the postcard sized container, and insert
the radon gas collector into it. Leave it undisturbed for 3-7 days (ideally
with windows closed and air conditioning off) and then mail it back in the
postage paid envelope ... and about a week later, the radon gas test results
are available on their web site, plus they snail mail you a copy. I did
the first radon test from June 30-July 5th, 2005 and the results showed
3.3 picoCuries/Liter ... so I'd call it a success!
Hulkin' Kyle shows off the Radon Test Kit |
Enter start time, location, etc. on the radon gas detector |
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Dirk shows off the radon gas collector |
Hang test kit at a "typical breathing level" ... for radon gas! |
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Basement a few days later |
Hulk and Tony say radon gas is bad for 'ya |
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Tony says the Radon Gas Test Kit is GRREEAATT! |
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