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Radon is a hazard in WNC

by Jerry Birdwell, 14 Dairy Gap Road

Radon causes lung cancer and it is not a pleasant way to end your life. In my area several homeowners recently have tested and found high levels of Radon gas. It is a known hazard in Western North Carolina and Buncombe County has a high incidence.

In the TMR area, even relatively new homes have tested high although they have passive systems installed by the original construction company. Radon gas in this area is aggravated and often increased when rocks must be removed for building sites.

Pictured, left, is my construction site in 1998. It was not until 9 years after we moved in that we learned Buncombe County offered a free test kit. Fortunately we took advantage of it. Our readings were in the 30's. The acceptable level is 4 or less.

I had vaguely remembered a limited discussion with my builder, but there seemed to be no cause for alarm in that no tests were required. And I did not remember any "cautions" over the years that we owned the property. I declined the offer to install a mitigation system. However, good fortune was mine and a "passive" system was installed without my knowledge. See below: This made correction simple and inexpensive.

The picture (left) shows the first floor level with the vapor barrier installed prior to pouring the slab. This floor is partially under grade which was formed by blasting a rock approximately 20'w x 8'h x 8'd, roughly in half, while preparing the house site.

After finding the Radon level very high, I discovered the passive system which consists of perforated three and four inch PVC pipes under the vapor barrier in the gravel and now under the slab. As the house was completed it was extended up through the roof. See the PVC pipe standing as pointed out by an arrow in the lower right corner of the photo. My construction photos were invaluable in making this discovery and leading to a solution.

The Internet is a source for good advice. It indicated a possible solution would be to install a fan (much like many bathroom exhaust fans) in the attic to pump the gas from below the slab and out above the house. Within a week, the Radon level dropped to an acceptable level. The cost was nominal!

With this experience under my belt, I suggested my neighbors check their homes. One found levels in the 40s. Installation of a fan in their passive system also resulted in a reduction to the recommended level. For another, the home had high Radon that caused a system to be installed when the house was purchased several years back. However, the Radon fan was found to have failed. Replacing the fan solved the problem.

Homes without a passive system will need a different and perhaps more expensive installation. More information is readily available on the internet.

Buncombe County and others often make this Radon Test Kit available, free. Otherwise, AirCheck is nearby and takes phone orders for the kit and does the follow-up evaluation. Check this website for information: AirCheck

(Posted 1/12/2008)

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Table of Contents

	Radon is a hazard in WNC by Jerry Birdwell, 14 Dairy Gap Road
	Radon causes lung cancer and it is not a pleasant way to end your life. In my area several homeowners recently have tested and found high levels of Radon gas. It is a known hazard in Western North Carolina and Buncombe County has a high incidence. In the TMR area, even relatively new homes have tested high although they have passive systems installed by the original construction company. Radon gas in this area is aggravated and often increased when rocks must be removed for building sites. Pictured, left, is my construction site in 1998. It was not until 9 years after we moved in that we learned Buncombe County offered a free test kit. Fortunately we took advantage of it. Our readings were in the 30's. The acceptable level is 4 or less. I had vaguely remembered a limited discussion with my builder, but there seemed to be no cause for alarm in that no tests were required. And I did not remember any "cautions" over the years that we owned the property. I declined the offer to install a mitigation system. However, good fortune was mine and a "passive" system was installed without my knowledge. See below: This made correction simple and inexpensive.
	The picture (left) shows the first floor level with the vapor barrier installed prior to pouring the slab. This floor is partially under grade which was formed by blasting a rock approximately 20'w x 8'h x 8'd, roughly in half, while preparing the house site. After finding the Radon level very high, I discovered the passive system which consists of perforated three and four inch PVC pipes under the vapor barrier in the gravel and now under the slab. As the house was completed it was extended up through the roof. See the PVC pipe standing as pointed out by an arrow in the lower right corner of the photo. My construction photos were invaluable in making this discovery and leading to a solution. The Internet is a source for good advice. It indicated a possible solution would be to install a fan (much like many bathroom exhaust fans) in the attic to pump the gas from below the slab and out above the house. Within a week, the Radon level dropped to an acceptable level. The cost was nominal! With this experience under my belt, I suggested my neighbors check their homes. One found levels in the 40s. Installation of a fan in their passive system also resulted in a reduction to the recommended level. For another, the home had high Radon that caused a system to be installed when the house was purchased several years back. However, the Radon fan was found to have failed. Replacing the fan solved the problem.
	Homes without a passive system will need a different and perhaps more expensive installation. More information is readily available on the internet. Buncombe County and others often make this Radon Test Kit available, free. Otherwise, AirCheck is nearby and takes phone orders for the kit and does the follow-up evaluation. Check this website for information: AirCheck (Posted 1/12/2008) Return to the FOTM Table of Contents