Maine Radon Levels in Homes

[Sunday1]

Thanks Trailmonkey! I've printed your post and will be using it! Much appreciated info!

[WhoFanMe]

I'm late this this thread, but there are many good points posted here. It's true that most testing is only done during real estate transfers, and certainly not all of them. Speaking of cancer, the Maine Bureau of Health believes that one out of 10 wells exceed the limit for arsenic. Like radon, it can be mitigated, but it's very expensive to install, as is radon in water mitigation systems.

[Trailmonkey]

Arsenic is very prevalent especially in the Dedham to Ellsworth area, and treatment systems have come down a lot price wise. The newer systems do not backwash the arsenic back into the ground, either. Anyone looking to put in an arsenic treatment system should check to see what type of arsenic is in their water, as that can help the treatment system last much longer.

On the radon subject, you are correct, it is usually done at a real estate transaction. If people would test before they list their house, it sure would cut down on the last minute installs of substandard systems.....

[WhoFanMe]

[quote=Trailmonkey;8786563]Arsenic is very prevalent especially in the Dedham to Ellsworth area, and treatment systems have come down a lot price wise. The newer systems do not backwash the arsenic back into the ground, either. Anyone looking to put in an arsenic treatment system should check to see what type of arsenic is in their water, as that can help the treatment system last much longer.

QUOTE]

I've actually seen the opposite since the allowable number has decreased the manufacturers have dramatically increased wholesale prices to their dealers on Reverse Osmosis and Whole House systems.

[BrokenTap]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

Really?

Radon is natural. It naturally outgasses from concrete.

Any structure that is built using concrete will have Radon.

And according to the website you posted it is also very present in ground water [which I did not know].

Every house built using concrete has some issue with Radon, everywhere on the planet. Not just in Maine.

'Tight' houses are worse as they are not as well ventilated. An old drafty house, breaths and allows outgassing to flow away and not to build up to hazardous levels.

A well sealed and insulated house has a greater tendency to hold in these outgasses, so they can build to high levels.

So you open a window and let the stink blow out from time to time, through the summers. Or you have a woodstove going through the winter so you get the recommended 400cu/ft of air per hour cycling through your home.

This is no big deal.



But you say that you can eradicate Radon entirely? How?

Get rid of concrete?

Get rid of ground water?

About 20 years ago this was a big deal in Maine, and then people realized what it truly was...a scam to separate the good people of Maine from their hard earned cabbage and those selling services or equipment to "rid your home of this deadly, odorless emission". It then died, but for some silly reason it is making a come back because someone dredged it up again.

This is silly because there is a substance in every Maine home and has even more dire effects and yet no one is doing anything about it. Its so toxic that it could poison our drinking water whenever it rains, not to mention increasing our risk of electrocution and even death if administered in enough of a dose. Yep we certainly should try to keep that toxin out of our homes before that kills us all too!

That substance...water!

You see, its all in how it is worded.

[broadbill]

Originally Posted by BrokenTap

About 20 years ago this was a big deal in Maine, and then people realized what it truly was...a scam to separate the good people of Maine from their hard earned cabbage and those selling services or equipment to "rid your home of this deadly, odorless emission". It then died, but for some silly reason it is making a come back because someone dredged it up again.

I cannot comment on the perception of the danger of radon in Maine homes over the years (i.e. if it is a scam or not, etc.). However, it is a FACT that Radon can be toxic to humans (Madam Curie, wasting disease in miners, etc.) and that measurable, potentially hazardous levels of Radon can accumulate in the home (Radon pools in the lowest area of the home).

Before you go screaming about the great Radon Conspiracy Theory, keep in mind that the EPA does designate 4pCi/L radon level as potentially hazardous, but DOES NOT mandate that every home with that level have a Radon mediation system installed. For all of the folks that talk about Maine being a "Nanny State"...here you go! Each and every homeowner has the ability to make their choice about Radon for themselves!

Originally Posted by BrokenTap

This is silly because there is a substance in every Maine home and has even more dire effects and yet no one is doing anything about it. Its so toxic that it could poison our drinking water whenever it rains, not to mention increasing our risk of electrocution and even death if administered in enough of a dose. Yep we certainly should try to keep that toxin out of our homes before that kills us all too!

That substance...water!

You see, its all in how it is worded.

This is really an argument by analogy and really doesn't add anything to the discussion. Yes, just about everything could kill you in just the right amounts. Including radon.

[wendell23]

Cancer in Maine Statistics

• Maine has the highest incidence of cancer in the United States.

CCOM - Champion the Cure

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by wendell23

Cancer in Maine Statistics

• Maine has the highest incidence of cancer in the United States.

CCOM - Champion the Cure

It also has the highest percentage of smokers in the US! Warning one issue poster :
Views: 3,257 Posted By wendell23
What about cancer in Maine?

[chaosX5]

Originally Posted by Maineah

It also has the highest percentage of smokers in the US! Warning one issue poster :
Views: 3,257 Posted By wendell23
What about cancer in Maine?

That's really surprising........aren't cigarrettes really expensive there? It seems that there would less smoking..........

Never under-estimate the power of nicotine

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by chaosX5

That's really surprising........aren't cigarrettes really expensive there? It seems that there would less smoking..........

Never under-estimate the power of nicotine

If they were $1000 a pack people would still buy them. If people want to smoke that's their business. As long as I don't have to be around it I don't care. I have a particular disdain for them as they claimed my Grandmother, Grandfather, Mother, Aunt and my wife's Grandmother too. All of them died in their late 50 's and early 60's from smoking related illnesses. They should have been made illegal 40 years ago IMO and just live on the show the hypocracy of this "caring" government who would ban Big Macs and french fries but not proven cancer causing cigarrettes....even the President smokes...great role model.