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Radonin MINNESOTA
<br /> Real Estate Transactions
<br /> All Minnesota homes can have dangerous levels of radon gas in them.Radon is a colorless,odorless and tasteless DEPARTMFNTor HEALTH
<br /> radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the earth.When inhaled,its radioactive particles can damage
<br /> the cells that line the lungs.Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung
<br /> cancer.About 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States are
<br /> caused by radon,making it a serious health concern for all Minnesotans
<br /> It does not matter if the home is old or new and the only way to know k
<br /> v ..
<br /> how much radon gas has entered the home is to conduct a radon test. �' _•;
<br /> MDH estimates 2 in 5 homes built before 2010 and 1 in 5 homes built
<br /> since 2010 exceed the 4 0 pCi/L action level '
<br /> In Minnesota,buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction are free to negotiate radon testing and reduction. Ultimately,it is up to the buyer
<br /> to decide an acceptable level of radon risk in the home.Prospective buyers should keep in mind that it is inexpensive and easy to measure
<br /> radon,and radon levels can be lowered at a reasonable cost.The MDH Radon Program website provides more detailed information on radon,
<br /> including the MDH brochure'Keeping Your Home Safe from Radon'
<br /> The Minnesota Radon Awareness Act does not require radon testing or mitigation.However,many relocation companies and lending
<br /> institutions,as well as home buyers,require a radon test when purchasing a house The purpose of this publication is to educate and inform
<br /> potential home buyers of the risks of radon exposure,and how to test for and reduce radon as part of real estate transactions
<br /> Radon Facts
<br /> *" Now dangerous is radon?
<br /> Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
<br /> `• n;• ,. ti and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall,next to tobacco
<br /> smough
<br /> testing and ng a takingy,much action to deuce nigh ran
<br /> lprevented adon gas when
<br /> and where they are found.Your risk for lung cancer increases with
<br /> higher levels of radon gas,prolonged exposure and whether or not
<br /> you are a smoker
<br /> Disclosure Requirements Where is your greatest exposure to radon?
<br /> Radon is present everywhere,and there is no known safe level.Your
<br /> Effective January 1,2014,the Minnesota Radon Awareness greatest exposure is where it can concentrate indoors and where
<br /> Act requires specific disclosure and education be provided to you spend most of your time.For most Minnesotans,this is at
<br /> potential home buyers during residential real estate transactions home.Whether a home is old or new,well-sealed or drafty,with or
<br /> in Minnesota This publication is being provided by the seller without a basement,any home can have high levels of radon.
<br /> in order to meet a requirement of the Act.In addition,before
<br /> signing a purchase agreement to sell or transfer residential
<br /> real property,the seller shall disclose in writing to the buyer any
<br /> knowledge the seller has of radon concentrations in the dwelling
<br /> The disclosure shall include:
<br /> =�a
<br /> 1. whether a radon test or tests have occurred on the property,
<br /> 2 the most current records and reports pertaining to radon
<br /> concentrations within the dwelling,
<br /> 3 a description of any radon concentrations,mitigation,or
<br /> 11V40e48ei Aadonbmtr'� '
<br /> remediation; Radon comes from the soil it is producsd bytfib nhGiral lecay of
<br /> 4 information regarding the radon mitigation system,including uranium and radium commonly found in nearly all soils in Minnesota.
<br /> system description and documentation,if such system has been As a gas,radon moves freely through the soil and eventually into
<br /> installed in the dwelling;and the air you breathe Our homes tend to draw soil gases including
<br /> radon,into the structure.
<br /> 5. a radon warning statement
<br /> I have a new home,aren't radon levels reduced already?
<br /> Radon Warning Statement Homes built in Minnesota since June 2009 are required to contain
<br /> construction features that may limit radon entry. These features
<br /> The Minnesota Department of Health strongly recommends that are known as passive Radon Resistant New Construction(RRNC).
<br /> ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test performed prior to While these passive RRNC features may lower the amount of radon
<br /> purchase or taking occupancy,and recommends having the radon in newer homes,it does not guarantee low levels It is recommended
<br /> levels mitigated if elevated radon concentrations are found. Elevated all new homes be tested for radon,and if elevated levels are found,
<br /> radon concentrations can easily be reduced by a qualified,certified, these passive RRNC features can be easily and inexpensively
<br /> or licensed,if applicable,radon mitigator. activated with the addition of a radon fan in the attic. If you are
<br /> Every buyer of any interest in residential real property is notified that buying a new home,ask if the home has any RRNC features and if
<br /> the home has been tested.
<br /> the property may present exposure to dangerous levels of indoor
<br /> radon gas that may place the occupants at risk of developing radon- What is the recommended action based on my results?
<br /> induced lung cancer.Radon,a Class A human carcinogen,is the If the average radon in the home is at or above 4.0 pCiA,the
<br /> leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading house should be fixed.Consider fixing the home if radon levels
<br /> cause overall.The seller of any interest in residential real property are between 2 pCVL and 3.9 pCVL.While it isn't possible to reduce
<br /> is required to provide the buyer with any information on radon test
<br /> results of the dwelling radon to zero,the best approach is to reduce the radon levels to as
<br /> low as reasonably achievable.Any amount of radon,even below the
<br /> recommended action level,carries some risk
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