Testing Is encouraged

While only about 8% of the homes the U.S. have radon levels in living areas above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L, these homes cannot be found without checking all homes. AARST recommends testing of homes, schools, public, and commercial buildings in high radon areas as the first priority. However, since high radon levels have been reported in all areas of the U.S. by radon testing companies, the second priority is to encourage testing of all homes.

How Does Radon Enter A Home

Radon, because it is a gas, is able to move through spaces in the soil or fill material around a buildings foundation. Minnesota buildings tend to operate under a negative pressure - this is especially true in the lowest portions of the home and during the heating season. This negative pressure acts as a vacuum (suction) that pulls soil gases, including radon, into the lower levels of the structure.

Major Radon Entry Routes

• Cracks in concrete slabs / pores and cracks in concrete blocks.
• Spaces behind brick veneer walls that rest on uncapped hollow block foundations.
• Exposed soil, as in a sump or crawl space
• Weeping (drain) tile, if drained to an open sump.
• Mortar joints / Floor-wall joints.
• Loose fitting pipe penetrations.
• Open tops of block walls.
• Building materials, such as brick, concrete, and rock.

Health effects of VOC exposure

Exposure to VOC vapors can cause a variety of health effects, including eye, nose, and throat irritation. In serious or prolonged exposure headaches and loss of coordination; nausea; and damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system can occur.

Volatile Organic Compounds in Your Home

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that are found in many products we use to build and maintain our homes. Once these chemicals are in our homes, they are released or “off-gas” into the indoor air we breathe.

Sources of VOCs

Supplies of unused chemicals, such as paints, varnishes, solvents, adhesives and caulks can contain compounds that off-gas voc. Household furnishings like carpet, upholstered furniture or items made from composite wood tend to off-gas more VOCs when they are new.

Health effects of Mold exposure

Exposure to a large number of mold spores may cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue. Repeated exposure to mold can increase a person's sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions.

Mold in Your Home

Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.

Sources of Mold buildings

⚫ Persistent Humidity
⚫ Leaking Pipes in the Home
⚫ A Leaking Roof
⚫ A Build-Up of Condensation
⚫ Poor Ventilation in Your Home
⚫ Home Flooding
⚫ A Damp Basement
⚫ Foundation Dampness
⚫ A Leaking Air-Conditioning System