Elevated Radon levels in Naples and Ft Myers homes and
condos are common.
About 1 out of 2 condo's
have elevated radon levels and 1 out 20 single family homes have elevated radon test results.
Naples homebuyers and homeowners should understand that the typical way high radon levels
in condos are lowered is by bringing in fresh air in a controlled manner to raise the indoor air pressure. Typically
the air pressure inside the home is lower than outdoors. This negative pressure tends to "suck" things (radon and
moisture) into the home.
An example of this
is when hurricane Charlie moved up the SW Florida coast a few years ago. Hurricanes are low pressure storms; we had
about 40 radon monitors in homes from Marco Island to the Port Charlotte area. You could tell what time the hurricane pasted
each area by the dramatic drop of the indoor radon levels (report graphs). Outdoor pressure dropped below indoor air pressure
in essence preventing the home "sucking" radon into the home.
This year "National Women's Heath Week" is May
8 -14, 2016
We would like to remind
women that elevated radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Lung Cancer Info
Femto Tech radon monitors- hour by hour report
We have more radon monitors than anyone in SW Florida and have performed more radon tests for Real Estate transactions
than anyone else (over 23,000).
Fresh air system for radon and air quality
(Raise the air pressure and stop the "sucking")
Commercial buildings are required to have fresh air intakes but residential homes
are not. We have performed over 23,000 radon tests, it rare to find a commercial building with elevated radon levels.
Residential builders and developers are beginning to install fresh
air systems in new construction (last couple of high rises build in south Lee County and Naples area have them). High
end home builders are also adding fresh air intakes or exchange systems to many new homes throughout Naples and Ft Myers usually
an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator).
Fresh air systems
help eliminate and prevent several indoor air quality issues. Some furniture glues and materials can off gas VOC's possibly
causing health issues. It seems there are so many new caulks, paints, glues and manmade products being introduced into homes
that a prudent homeowner should consider a fresh air system even if they don't have an elevated radon level. Homes are
sealed much tighter today than ever before; "up north" for example; new furnaces are required to have a fresh air
intake to be more efficient and safe.
Raising the Air Pressure helps prevent moisture
Fresh air systems increase the indoor air pressure which not only helps
lower the radon levels but helps prevent moisture being "sucked" thru the concrete walls of a Naples home. You shouldn't have vinyl wallpaper on an exterior wall
if you have a negative pressure in the home (no fresh air system). It is possible for moisture to be drawn into the home thru
the block/concrete walls and the vinyl wallpaper can form a vapor barrier and promote mold growth behind the wallpaper. Concrete/block
are not water proof, they will absorb moisture.
Elevated radon levels are just one of the indoor pollutants
fresh air helps to reduce.
Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) :
Airborne chemicals can
be contained in many household products such as paints, glues, solvents, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleaners and
disinfectants, moth repellents, air fresheners, hobby supplies, and dry cleaned clothes
Formaldehyde is another
common indoor pollutant, it's a pungent gas released into air. Common sources are pressed wood products (plywood, paneling,
particle board) paper products, adhesives, carpets/pads, drapes and to be honest who knows what.
long Term radon tests
Daily News
"In Lee and Collier Counties,about one out of four of homes ... tested had elevated radon
levels."
Some areas of Florida 1 out 2 homes tested have elevated radon
levels.
"All
Florida home sales contracts are required to include a paragraph informing the buyer that elevated radon levels have been
found in Florida homes."
Great short film explaining radon in Chicago but the info
applies to us everywhere including Naples, Ft Myers and Cape Coral: Radon in Chicagohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiT2_5Pn8eM&NR=1
"Don't be fooled"
Radon Test
"Your
radon test report should include the following information:
1) the name and Florida certification number of the radon MEASUREMENT
business, 2) the name and Florida certification number of the individual that performed the test, 3)
the date and time of the start and end of the test, and the type of device used."
If you have any questions about the radon businesses or
your radon test results, you may contact the Bureau of Community Environmental Health, Radon and Indoor Air Toxics program
by calling (800)-543-8279 or writing to 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #A08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1710.
There is no proof that
radon is the reason dinosaurs disappeared.
Radon has not been proven
to cause wrinkles.
Consumers:
Companies do not need to have liability insurance to be certified by the Florida Department of Health
for radon testing or radon mitigation.
You cannot smell radon gas.
Radon gas is not a product of sewer
gas.
Collier
& Lee County Schools are not required by the Florida Department of Health to test for radon gas. In many other counties in Florida schools ARE required to test for radon
gas.
Real estate agents in Naples and Ft Myers should understand that elevated radon levels are a serious health
concern but should be handled like a home repair. Always have a FL DOH certified Radon Measurement Business perform
the radon test. Radon Mitigation must be performed by a FL DOH certified Radon Mitigation Business. Remember just
because a home inspector says he can do the test does not mean he is qualified to or certified by Florida.
__________________
School Radon Testing
Florida department of Health has many often confusing rules reguarding radon testing for private and public schools.
Elevated levels of radon are common but the important thing is to have your school tested. Unfortunately many public
schools in "some" counties are NOT required to be tested for radon (politic's rule I guess).
Board-awarded by the American Council for Accredited
Certification
State of Florida Licensed
Mold Assessor / license #MRSA 2
State of Florida
Licensed Home Inspector / license #HI 2202
FL DOH certified
radon measurement tech R1751
State of Florida Licensed Mold Assessor # MRS5
John Cosgrove,
CIE
Council-Certified
Indoor Environmentalist, (CIE)
Board-awarded by
the American Council for Accredited Certification
State of Florida Licensed Mold Assessor / license #MRS 5
FL DOH certified for radon, R1867
John Cosgrove,
CIE, Inc.
.
State of Florida Mold Assessor License #MRSA 763
Greg Gomez, CIE,
State of Florida Licensed Mold Assessor / license #MRSA763
Council-Certified Indoor Environmentalist, (CIE)
Board-awarded by the American Council for Accredited Certification
FL DOH certified radon measurement tech R 2191
Grg
Gomez has proven his knowledge of mold and indoor air quality issues by performing hundreds of mold inspections / assessments
throughout Naples, Bonita Spring, Ft Myers and all of Southwest Florida.
Since 1999, Radon & Mold Professionals
has consistently excelled in providing the Best Radon Testing, Mold Inspections,
Mold Sampling (Testing), Odor Identification, Allergen Screening, Formaldehyde Testing and Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera
survey's for Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Ft Myers, Ft Myers Beach,Cape Coral and Marco Island, Florida including for Home
Inspections . Environmental Inspections
/ testing performed by ACAC Board Certified indoor Environmentalists (CIE) that have performed thousands radon tests
and mold assessments in Naples, Bonita Springs and Ft Myers area.
We use Air Chek, Inc. FL DOH certified Radon Measurement Business RB0214 for our radon measurement services. Florida
Department of Health allows only FL DOH measurement specialists and FL DOH certified mitigation specialists to "express"
"evaluations and observations" of radon tests or radon mitigations to "Florida citizens and customers, or potential
customers". We have been the leader in performing residential Real Estate radon tests for years, we think in part,
because we strive to follow the FL DOH's many rules concerning radon. ***Accuracy is not guarunteed on this web site. The radon evaluations, observations and opinions posted here are not those of the Radon & Mold Professionals.
