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Radon is a gas which seeps out of rock. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking) and is found in houses throughout the country including Vermont. There is no way of knowing if a home has high radon levels without testing.
Radon enters a home typically through the foundation. It will come through cracks in the concrete but also by seeping through the concrete itself. Radon can also enter a house through the water supply as a result of taking showers, doing laundry, or washing dishes.
Fortunately, radon levels can be lowered by installing a vent system in the house. The typical method is to put a hole in the floor of the foundation, place a pipe into the hole and then extend the pipe above roof level. The hole in the basement floor is sealed shut and a fan is installed to pull the air through the pipe. This whole contraption causes there to be lower pressure at the pipe end under the foundation and moves the radon up the pipe and out of the house. There are a number of contractors installing the pipe when a new home is built in case there is a radon problem in the future.
Radon testing should, ideally, be part of any contract to purchase a house. Testing is straightforward and is typically done by a building inspector as an addition to a house inspection. If radon testing is part of your contract you should discuss procedures with your inspector.
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