radon - overlooked home health issue

Epidemiological studies have shown a clear link between breathing high concentrations of radon and incidence of lung cancer. Thus, radon is considered a significant contaminant that affects indoor air quality worldwide. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking, causing 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. While radon is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, it is the number one cause among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates.[wikipedia]
why doesn't the state mandate radon level inspection prior to buying a home?
well water's tested, septic systems are tested, why not radon.
literally by chance i moved into a house equipped with a radon evacuation system thanks to the prior owner. didn't even know about until it showed up on the inspection report.
i wrote several inquiries about it to the state dept. of housing with zero response.
i guess nobody cares about what they can't see, smell or taste that may be killing them.

bobolinq wrote:

Epidemiological studies have shown a clear link between breathing high concentrations of radon and incidence of lung cancer. Thus, radon is considered a significant contaminant that affects indoor air quality worldwide. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking, causing 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. While radon is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, it is the number one cause among non-smokers, according to EPA estimates.[wikipedia]
why doesn't the state mandate radon level inspection prior to buying a home?
well water's tested, septic systems are tested, why not radon.
literally by chance i moved into a house equipped with a radon evacuation system thanks to the prior owner. didn't even know about until it showed up on the inspection report.
i wrote several inquiries about it to the state dept. of housing with zero response.
i guess nobody cares about what they can't see, smell or taste that may be killing them.

We did a test of our basement a few years ago and were around a level 3. The level to worry about is around a 4 which puts us very close. Can you tell me more about your system?

setrlvr wrote:

<quoted text>
We did a test of our basement a few years ago and were around a level 3. The level to worry about is around a 4 which puts us very close. Can you tell me more about your system?

the unused basement sump pot hole was fitted with a special cover with a 4" PVC extension out the top. the sump already had plastic corrugated perimeter drainage pipe beneath the floor that emptied into the it.
they ran another 4" pipe up wall, and out into the garage. then they extended it up through the finished garage ceiling where a small, squirrel cage motor runs 24/7 drafting the sump air out into the space above the garage.
a small liquid filled tube is mounted into the basement wall pipe as a visual indicator of negative pressure, e.g., the motor is pulling.
only trace levels (<1) were indicated during inspection.

bobolinq wrote:

<quoted text>the unused basement sump pot hole was fitted with a special cover with a 4" PVC extension out the top. the sump already had plastic corrugated perimeter drainage pipe beneath the floor that emptied into the it.
they ran another 4" pipe up wall, and out into the garage. then they extended it up through the finished garage ceiling where a small, squirrel cage motor runs 24/7 drafting the sump air out into the space above the garage.
a small liquid filled tube is mounted into the basement wall pipe as a visual indicator of negative pressure, e.g., the motor is pulling.
only trace levels (<1) were indicated during inspection.

Thank you. That was so informative and I will look into it. Most people probably don't think it is such a quick fix or even possible at all. Thanks.