Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. I spend a lot of time in my basement woodshop, have a basement woodshop, have a cancer history and my neighbor two doors down had high enough radon to need to install a mitigation system. I found a local home inspector who leaves a very expensive machine in the house for about 48 hours and the results show me radon readings, along with temp and humidity, by the hour. It cost $150.
The average radon levels requiring mitigation is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). My results were an average of 2.5 pCi/L. However, on that graph, during times of day when I am in the shop, it was 4ish or slightly high on some days. So, anyone "in the know" (vs just guessing) have an informed opinion on this? If you spent 5-6 hours in space that could have levels above 4 now and again, is that a risk? The problem is mitigation services seem reluctant to put one in if you aren't above 4. Only when you are above 4 can they test and show their system takes you below 4.
Beside my obsessing here, if you do have a basement shop, please get a test. I think it is amazing that 60 feet away my neighbor had a higher reading (7 pCi/L). The cheapo hardware test is okay, but not nearly as detailed as the professional test. Also, the professional test is what someone buying your house will use. Hardware store test for my place was 3.0 pCi/L vs 2.5 for the pro.
The average radon levels requiring mitigation is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). My results were an average of 2.5 pCi/L. However, on that graph, during times of day when I am in the shop, it was 4ish or slightly high on some days. So, anyone "in the know" (vs just guessing) have an informed opinion on this? If you spent 5-6 hours in space that could have levels above 4 now and again, is that a risk? The problem is mitigation services seem reluctant to put one in if you aren't above 4. Only when you are above 4 can they test and show their system takes you below 4.
Beside my obsessing here, if you do have a basement shop, please get a test. I think it is amazing that 60 feet away my neighbor had a higher reading (7 pCi/L). The cheapo hardware test is okay, but not nearly as detailed as the professional test. Also, the professional test is what someone buying your house will use. Hardware store test for my place was 3.0 pCi/L vs 2.5 for the pro.
