Re: sealed sump pit for radon mitigation

On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:47:02 -0400, "John Gilmer" <nni/gilmer@xxxxxxx>
wrote:


Radon definitely exists. It's an inert gas with a relatively short
half-life than can suddendly turn into a radioactive heavy metal that can
easily get set into your lungs. Once there it's a good candidate to start
a cancer growth.


OK, please explain where it comes from. (yes, obviously the ground).
I mean what causes it? Is it similar to methane gas, and if so, why
is it not explosive or flammable? How can a heavy metal exist in the
form of a gas? That seems impossible. Considering the name, it
sounds like it would come from Radium, and thus be a radioactive
substance. However, I do know that radiation will go right thru most
materials like concrete, plastic, wood, etc, so therefore it's not
radiation. At least with asbestos, (even though I think that is
another over-rated scare, used to get revenue), there is an actual
substance that can be seen. Radon is like the invisible ghost out to
scare the money out of people's wallets. However, I am willing to
listen and learn more........ And just to learn, my house does not
have a basement and it has a ventilated crawl space. I'd assume I
dont have anything to worry about, right?


Good point. Tight homes will obviously have a higher concentration of
radon than those that leak like a sieve.


My house dont leak like a sieve, but it's not air tight. It was built
in the late 70's. Could use a little more insulation, but even if I
were to reside it, I'd never apply house wrap or styrofoam. My belief
is that both the house, and it's occupant need to breathe. Even in
the winter I often open a window for at least a few minutes a few
times per week to bring in fresh air. There is less oxygen in the
outside air in the winter anyhow, because plants expel oxygen in the
summer, but in winter there are no plants to add to it. I have always
thought the reason people get sick more often in winter is because of
the lower oxygen levels in the air.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Some radon help. Better understanding pressure system.
    ... I have a new house about 30x70 with a full basement and a footing down ... I had the radon pipe installed when the house was built, ... make sure that air could circulate via the crushed stone. ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Gas Furnace Inflow Question
    ... >> There are several legal ways to vent a gas appliance. ... The issue is whether that incoming air should ... >> house then replacing it with cold air. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Gas Furnace Inflow Question
    ... > There are several legal ways to vent a gas appliance. ... The issue is whether that incoming air should ... > house then replacing it with cold air. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Cost to replace Oil heating unit with Gas Furnace
    ... Find out if the house has a gas connection already. ... or a steam or water based system with old fashioned cast ... enough for a kid to crawl through) then it is forced air. ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: First Snow
    ... suck to have to come home to a hot house in the summer and a cold house in ... su;ch high increases in the gas bills I just don't want to pay a $200+ gas ... Not to mention the fact that my furnace and air are both about 40 ... > too cold we put on another sweater and another pair of socks. ...
    (sci.med.transcription)
Loading