Brandon Twp.– Anita Bakker and her family were living with a deadly threat until just recently.
The Bakkers had dangerous levels of radon gas in their home.
Radon gas can not be seen nor smelled. It occurs naturally from the soil and any home built on soil has the potential for a problem. Radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The Bakkers moved here from the Netherlands seven years ago. Anita Bakker sits on a deck chair outside the home that was built in 1998 as she spreads in front of her pamphlets and information about radon she has gleaned from various sources.
‘The house works like a vacuum,? she explains. ‘Radon gas enters through the sump pump or cracks in the slab. It will concentrate in your house if you have it in your soil. Radon gas is totally dependent on your soil.?
Bakker learned about radon gas from neighbors who had tested their Brandon Township home with high results. Bakker was concerned, particularly because her sons often sleep in the basement in the summer to keep cool.
She purchased a $10 test kit from the Oakland County Health Division and took it home. The test consists of charcoal particles and a sponge to be placed in the lowest livable area of the home. She closed the windows and didn’t use fans while she measured levels for four days, then sents the test in the mail, postage-paid, to get the results, which turned out to be 6.5 picocuries per liter. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends action be taken if the level is 4 picocuries per liter or higher, although there are no regulations or mandates associated with radon gas.
‘I was surprised it would be that high,? said Bakker, who had a mitigation system installed and sealed cracks and her sump pump. ‘I would encourage everyone to do the test to protect you and your family’s health.?
Sue Hendershott, indoor radon specialist for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality recommends the same, noting that each individual home is different and decisions should not be made on a neighbor’s results. Foundation type, age, energy efficiency can all have an effect, but the source of radon, entry points and driving forces are biggers factors.
‘Testing is the most important thing,? she says, noting that homes should be enclosed when testing, no open windows although air conditioning is fine. ‘Every home needs to be tested… It’s relatively cheap piece of mind.?
The OCHD has radon test kits available. Short-term kits are $10, while long-term kits are $25. For more information, call (248) 858-1322.