High Levels Of Radon Found In Troy Homes

By Teresa Moss, Assistant Editor

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Some homeowners in Troy were recently surprised to find levels of radon 12 times the recommended level under their homes.

Jon and Vicki Borlin, who live in Turtle Creek Neighborhood, tested for radon in September of last year after a neighbor used a home testing kit and found high levels.

The Borlins, who have two small children and a finished basement, immediately tested their home and found measurements of 26.4 pococuries per liter of air (pCi/L).

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) says that homes with finished basements should mitigate if radon levels are above a 2 pCi/L. Without a finished basement anything over a 4 pCi/L is dangerous to home owners.

The Borlin’s measurement of 26.4 pCi/L was twelve times the healthy levels of radon.

According to new studies not yet released by the EPA, 36.8 percent of homes in Madison County have dangerous amounts of radon under their homes. This is on average one in three homes in the area.

"We know there is no safe exposure of radon, all exposure is a risk, " said Pat Daniels, head of the radon program with the EPA. "We know that radon is the number one leading risk in private homes."

According to the IEPA, Radon tins more people in Illinois above any other risk in the home including fires, carbon monoxide, falls and gunshots

"Our number one message is the only way to know that you have a radon problem is to test," said Daniels. "Twelve-thousand Illinois citizens get radon lung cancer. By the time people are diagnosed it is in stage three or stage four. It is not as dangerous as carbon monoxide to your health but it causes more deaths."

Phil Green of Green Remodeling is licensed and referred by the IEPA to mitigate homes if they have high levels of radon.

"I have worked on a couple homes in Troy," said Green. "Three in MeadowBrook and a few in Turtle Creek."

According to Green, he has seen homes in Troy with levels of radon between 9 pCi/L and 26 pCi/L.

"Home owners definitely need to take it seriously," said Green. "Some people are really skeptical that it is just a scam but it is a serious thing. There are people who die from lung cancer from radon."

Homeowners can test for radon through home test kits costing on average $10 dollars or they can use certified state testers. However, if a company tests a home they are not allowed to also do the mitigation system.

The Borlins used a home test kit borrowed from their neighbors and then used Green to mitigate their home.

"The results lit a fire under us," said Jon. "It is the health of our family. If you know something is hurting your family it is not something you put off."

The Borlins did not wait in getting their levels of radon fixed. Within two weeks of finding out about their neighbor's levels their house was mitigated and radon free.

"It is one of those things that you don't want to believe is there," said Vicki Borlin. "Thank god our neighbors thought to have it tested."

According to the IEPA, every home in Illinois should be tested for radon.

"Home owners can test their homes' fairly easily," said Daniels. "Mitigation can be a little more complicated. We think they should really hire a professional that is licensed with us."

While homeowners can mitigate their home on their own, it is not recommended because it is a complicated process and can actually' raise the levels of radon if not done properly,

Radon is the second cause of lung cancer in the nation. It can also cause other harmful respiratory effects such as emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic interstitial pneumonia, silicosis and respiratory lesions.

For information on how to test for radon Illinois homeowners can I visit www.radon.illinois.gov for recommendations on testing kits and professional testers.  The website also includes information on who is licensed to mitigate.

Anyone wanting information about mitigation services from Green Remodeling can visit www,greenradonremodeling.com.