Silent killer roams Rock County
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Podcast Episode
Test for radon
Get a kit: The Rock County Health Department offers radon test kits for $12.66, including the cost of lab analysis. Test kits also may be obtained from most local hardware or home improvement stores.
The health department has a list of nationally certified radon mitigation contractors to help interpret your test results and decide what to do if your house has radon.
Test kits can be picked up at either health department office: 3328 N. Highway 51, Janesville, or 61 Eclipse Center, Beloit.
How it works: Test kits include a small container, much like a shoe polish can, that homeowners open to collect any radon in the room for 48 hours. Health department officials recommend testing in the lowest lived-in level of the house.
To learn more: For more information, call the health department at (608) 757-5441, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Web site at www.lowradon.org or call the toll-free statewide radon hotline at 1-888-569-7236.
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A system monitor tells homeowner Tony Farrell that his radon venting system is drawing the gas out of the house via a pipe that runs from his basement floor through the roof of his home.
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A pipe that ventilates radon gas from the basement of Tony Farrell's home runs from a hole drilled through the basement floor and out the roof.
JANESVILLE — Tony Farrell Sr. and his wife, Londa, started testing for radon in their home more than a decade ago.
They're glad they did.
"It is a problem in Janesville," he said.
After tests showed unsafe levels of radon, the couple installed systems to mitigate the threat in their previous home, their current home and their daughter's home.
"I know there's a lot of people that have not checked their home," Farrell said. "They certainly need to understand that this is something that can be a danger, especially for children that play a lot in the basement."
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has three levels to rank an area's radon potential, and Rock County is at the highest level, said Adam Elmer, sanitarian with the Rock County Health Department.
More than 40 percent of Rock County tests exceed EPA standards, Elmer said.
Radon is an odorless, colorless, naturally-occurring gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil, he said. It seeps into a house through foundation cracks.
Radon can build up to levels that are dangerous for people exposed over time.
Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer, making radon the second-leading cause of lung cancer, just behind smoking, he said.
"It's a low-energy radioactive material, but once it's in your lungs ...that's where the risk is," said Tim Banwell, environmental health director at the health department.
Some areas of Rock County show higher levels of the gas, based on test results the health department has collected over the years.
"We don't know exactly why this is," Elmer said. "It could have something to do with the glacial material, but we're not exactly sure."
The only way to know if you have radon in your home is to test for it.
"The way radon works, it's usually found in small pockets, so one house could have a really high level, and your next-door neighbor doesn't and vice-versa," he said. "So it's really important everyone tests."
Repeated tests aren't necessary as long as homeowners don't remodel or make other changes to their houses, Elmer said.
The EPA guideline is no more than 4 picocuries per liter—a measure of radioactive particles per liter of air—on the main floor of a home.
If a radon mitigation system is needed, the health department has a list of contractors who can do the work. The goal of such systems is to depressurize the area under the concrete basement floor and draw the gas away from the home, Elmer said.
"What that usually will consist of is a PVC pipe drilled into your basement floor, attached to a fan, and that'll just vent the gas under your house out to the outdoors," he said.
Simple solutions cost $500 to $800, although some homes might need more extensive systems costing up to $1,500, he said.
Testing the soil at the site of new construction usually is more expensive than just installing the start of a system during construction, Banwell said. It can be cheaper for homeowners to put in piping during construction and add the fan later if there's a problem, he said.
That's the route the Farrells took when they built their last house. They had piping put in before the floor was poured and learned after the home was finished that radon levels were too high.
Although no data is available on radon-related health problems in the Rock County area, Banwell said he's heard anecdotal evidence of people who have never smoked but got lung cancer.
"We do know it causes cancer, and we do know it's in the homes," he said. "There is evidence that this is a concern we need to take care of."
Mar 28, 2009 at 9:21 a.m.
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When you buy a home, there is an inspection contingency that allows you to test for radon if it is a concern to you. The Realtor should point this out to all buyers when they go through the offer.
Feb 4, 2009 at 12:44 p.m.
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Many scientific experts do not agree with the EPA on the problem radon presents. One scientist describes the likelihood of dieing from exposure to household levels of radon "about the same as being hit by lightening" another accesses the health risk from household radon, "the same as being one pound over your ideal weight". Second hand smoke, in a home containing smokers, carries a much higher rate of possible problems than household radon. There has never been a single lung cancer death attributed exclusively to household radon. The headline "Silent killer roams Rock County" is more than a bit over done. Just because a non smoker dies of lung cancer doesn't mean household radon caused the cancer. With the bevy of pollutants, second hand smoke etc in the environment today, any could be contributing factors. The only effect the "radon scare" is having, is to make those who detect and preport to abate it, rich.
Jan 30, 2009 at 7:35 a.m.
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This isn't a new phenomenon; humans just recently discovered it. Don't hang out in confined spaces below ground. It looks on the map like the problem is only in the cities; but that is not true. It occurs wherever test results are reported.
Jan 29, 2009 at 6:31 p.m.
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We tested years ago and our reading was OFF THE CHARTS!!! We tested in the basement first... as instructed. Then, when we tested on the main level, it was still a bit elevated. We live in Milton... so if you live in town you'd probably want to do the same. Our home is one of the old late 1800's homes without a finished basement. Large boulders for walls with the old cistern still there.
We will need to get someone to fix this... but the cost, years ago, was several thousand dollars. Maybe it's more affordable now. I don't know.
The one big advantage to these big old houses is we never have any basement leaks or water damage. Weird huh? Then of course, there are the built in, wall-to-wall hand crafted China buffets. The old original oak trim and the taste of a "blast from the past". I love this house!
Jan 29, 2009 at 1:03 p.m.
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Annie50- That gas is methane. It's a by-product of the decomp process from the landfill. They should be harnessing the gas for power for the city. I hear the raptor rehabilitation center in Milton has been swamped with burned hawks and other burned birds from them flying over the burning methane vents at the dump. Those vents are going to be emmitting methane for a long time, so get used to the smell :(
Jan 29, 2009 at 10:28 a.m.
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with radon in our ground, when houses get sold, radon tests will probably be required and it will be the responsibility of the seller to fix the problem.
Jan 29, 2009 at 10:12 a.m.
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Bellagio, I was a little confused until I searched the name: funny. I never watched the show myself. And no, I've never suffered gamma dose (although I have been exposed as a rad worker).
Also on the subject, Radon exposure is what makes uranium mining a little more hazardous than regular mining. However, considering you have to mine about 100 times as much coal for the equivalent energy compared to uranium, it still beats coal mining hands down (besides that now we have safety measures and testing in place unlike in the past).
Jan 29, 2009 at 7:32 a.m.
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Does our city care anything about another serious problem? The gases being emitted by the landfill? At times the air is so bad over by Kennedy Rd and Hwy 14 that you cannot even get a breath of fresh air. It permeates into the home as well. The air quality is awful and I'm sure there will be health problems resulting from breathing those fumes. I would like to know what the city is doing to deal with the problem. There are supposedly little pipes that are to capture those gases and then are somehow contained in a small structure at the landfill. Obvioulsy, that method is not working. Thank you.
Jan 29, 2009 at 6:48 a.m.
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There is a company in Beloit "Superior Radon Mitigation that offer's radon mitigations systems starting at $699.00 - www.ZeroRadon.com -
Jan 28, 2009 at 4:03 p.m.
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I know it's dangerous and all, but I always thought the Radon decay chain was pretty neat. It starts with uranium, goes through a few very long-lived solids, then turns to radon which lets it escape for a short while, then once it gets in your lung and decays it goes back to solids (so it stays in your lung) which are suddenly short-lived isotopes with some pretty high energy gammas. It's a great arrangement to really nail your lungs with a hefty dose.
(This is where my wife would say I owe her a geek dollar).
Jan 28, 2009 at 3:25 p.m.
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So we can get coupons for $40 off a TV convertor box to sit around and watch TV, but we cannot get a $13 test kit to help prevent cancer? I see that priorities are firmly in place! (That was sarcastic, in case anyone didn't detect that.)
Jan 28, 2009 at 3:12 p.m.
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http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/dph_beh/RadonPr... Can't find free ones for Wis but link has good info.
Jan 28, 2009 at 3:10 p.m.
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Check with the state we got our test kit sent free to us in IL. Wis probably has a similar program
Jan 28, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.
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We all have to make choices. I think this test is well worth it. I would never gamble with my children's health. I tested my home 8 years ago. It was 74ppm. I had a system installed for $800.00.
Jan 28, 2009 at 2:13 p.m.
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I'm aware of the price, but if a person is forced to chose between peace of mind and food for a child's mouth, I'd rather see the child be fed... because of the mass layoffs, there are many people that are put in this compromising position... I'm not the only one...
Jan 28, 2009 at 1:51 p.m.
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armyof3-The cost of the test is $12.66. Small price to pay for peace of mind.
Jan 28, 2009 at 1:36 p.m.
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Yes, if you live in the zip code 53547 you should definitely do something about it...right after you explain how you are managing to live in that little metal box. The draft from the back must be really annoying. The lack of privacy must be a real downer too. The neighbors are right next to you and above and below you!
(For those that do not know, 53547 is the zip code for post office boxes only.)
Jan 28, 2009 at 1:09 p.m.
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seeing how there are people that don't own their own homes, does the cost of testing fall on the tenants or landlord??
Jan 28, 2009 at 1 p.m.
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sannio, clearly you're trolling, but radon testing is already recommended whenever a home is sold. Certain states regulate testing for a variety of facilities including schools and home day care. It's too bad you have such a low opinion of protecting health. Cancer costs money, too, you know, even if you don't give a hoot about the human toll.
Jan 28, 2009 at 11:50 a.m.
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So when we get social health care, will they force us to test for radon, or get a hefty fine? I think so.
Jan 28, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
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www.lowradon.org
Jan 28, 2009 at 11:09 a.m.
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In the article it stated that some areas showed higher numbers in the gas in Rock County, does anyone no where i can find that info out
Jan 28, 2009 at 10:36 a.m.
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How bout another government handout? They paid for our tv converters.... how bout paying for my radon testing and fixing it if it needs it? Come to think of it... my lawnmower is shot and I need a new one... How bout a coupon for $300 to buy a new lawnmower? It might even stimulate the economy!
Jan 28, 2009 at 9:02 a.m.
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We did the radon abatement procedure at our house and it works very well-- Over 5 years ago it cost about $900 to have done, and very worth it especially if you spend any time in the basement. Our levels dropped from 64 ppm to 0.4.
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