Radon, radon everywhere…

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released an extensive report on radon, suggesting that there may be a greater risk of lung cancer at lower exposure levels than earlier believed. REALTORS® and consumers may think the report’s recommendations (establish action levels for radon remediation at the equivalent of 2.7 pCi/L) have the force of law in the United States. They do not. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aware of the conclusions of the report but has not taken any affirmative steps to change existing guidelines. Even so, a large radon mitigation firm that serves Pennsylvania markets has been promoting the WHO recommendations, ostensibly to build his business.

In the U.S., the EPA says homeowners should remediate if exposure levels are above 4.0 picoCuries/liter (4.0 pCi/L) and should consider remediation if levels are between 2.0 – 4.0 pCi/L. The existing PAR Agreement of Sale  states that buyers who obtain a radon test result that’s  lower than 4.0 pCi/L will automatically agree to move forward with the transaction but they have the option to request remediation if the test is at or above 4.0 pCi/L.

The new version of the Agreement due out in December gives even broader discretion to buyers. If they elect to have a radon inspection and the results are “unsatisfactory” in any way, the buyer has the ability to submit a remediation proposal. While the form still cites the EPA guideline of 4.0 pCi/L, if you have a buyer who is concerned about radon and wants to request remediation if the radon test comes back above the new WHO recommended levels, they are free to do so.

You can find good radon resources on the EPA website, including the “Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon.” The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates testing and remediation in the state and has excellent resources as well.