Radon Advisory: Buying or Selling You Home

Radon has always been a hot topic in NH since there is so much granite bedrock in the State.

Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that occurs naturally.  It is a radioactive gas that is normally found in bedrock.  NH home wells are often drilled into the bedrock so it is very common to test for radon levels at the time of buying a home.  Dug wells normally aren’t a problem and have very little to no radon.  36% of NH residences have a private well.  Radon released from building materials is usually inconsequential.  Radon can seep into a basement through cracks in the foundation if the house is built above granite ledge.  Radon can move to the air from the water source in your home through showers, humidifiers, etc.

According to the DES, “Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.”  There is also an increase in stomach cancer from radon in drinking water.

Formerly, the Department of Environmental Services recommends that homeowners and buyers test the indoor air for Radon and consult with radon mitigation companies when radon exceeds 2,000 picocuries per liter in well water, the lowest advisory level in the U.S. 

Now, as of 3/14/16, the DES advises to look into treatment if there is more than 10,000 picocuries of radon per liter in well water. 

“There are no federal or state standards for radon in drinking water. However, there are public health advisories for radon in drinking water, including that issued by USEPA. NHDES recommends the following:

·         For private wells with radon concentrations at or above 10,000 pCi/L, the treatment of water is recommended in conjunction with mitigation of indoor air radon. Homeowners should consult with radon mitigation and water treatment providers.

·         For private wells with radon concentrations between 2,000 and 10,000 pCi/L, the treatment of water may be advisable if air concentrations in the home exceed 4 pCi/L.

·         When radon in well water is below 4,000 pCi/L, you should retest air and water every three to five years.”

For more information visit http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/dwgb/documents/dwgb-3-12.pdf .

Sandy LeRette – Realtor® ABR – Better Homes & Garden Real Estate / The Masiello Group (Licensed Agent in NH) – 436 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH  03063  cell: (603) 661-7301 email: slerette@masiello.com

Bob LeRette – Better Homes & Garden Real Estate / The Masiello Group (Licensed Agent in MA & NH) - 436 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH  03063  cell:  603-438-2550  email:  ralerette@comcast.net