SAMPLE RADON WARNING STATEMENT
The (title of department or commissioner) of (state) strongly recommends that ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test performed prior to purchase or tak¬ing occupancy, and recommends having the radon levels mitigated if elevated radon concentrations are found. Elevated radon concentrations can easily be reduced by a qualified, certified, or licensed, if applicable, radon mitigator.
Every buyer of any interest in residential real property is notified that the property may present exposure to dangerous levels of indoor radon gas that may place the occupants at risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer. Radon, a Class A human carcinogen, is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause overall. The seller of any interest in residential real property is required to provide the buyer with any information on radon test results of the dwelling.
A Success Story: Illinois Radon Awareness Act
The Illinois’ version relies on simple notification of the dangers of radon and the value of testing during the real estate transfer process. The testing and mitigation decisions remain voluntary, and the Act has had no discernible negative effects on the overall rate of real estate transactions and no cost to taxpayers.
The Act became effective January 1, 2008. In the first year, radon testing and mitigation increased substantially while real estate transactions decreased.
• 29% increase in the number of radon measurements.
• 25% of all real estate transactions included a radon measurement.
• 26% increase in the number of radon mitigations
In subsequent years, radon testing and mitigation levels in Illinois have remained at increased levels.
The benefits of this legislation?
• More testing.
• More awareness.
• Fewer people living with dangerous levels of radon.
To read the Illinois Radon Awareness act, go to
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=095-0210
Minnesota: Another Success Story
Minnesota passed a Radon Awareness Act in 2015, resulting in a 400% increase in radon mitigations. To read the Minnesota legislation, go to
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=144.496
CanSAR members have provided support through testimony and publicity that significantly contributed to the success of radon awareness legislation in Illinois and Minnesota and other legislation in Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon and Kansas. Contact us to learn what you can do in your state.
Information taken from
http://www.cansar.org/index.php/about-lizs-law/
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Legislative
For detailed information on how and why the Radon Awareness Act came about, click here.