The Ann Arbor area has a greater potential for elevated levels of radon. You can ask your prospective landlord about when the most recent test was performed and what the results showed. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends action be taken in any dwelling where a radon level of 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher have been measured. If levels exceded 4.0 pCi/L, ask your potential landlord what action they have taken to mitigate the problem.
Radon is a tasteless, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium. It is found in nearly all types of soil and rock. Due to the geology in this area, we tend to see high levels of radon in Washtenaw County homes.
- Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division
Testing kits and more information are available from Washtenaw County at:
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/environmental_health/indoor_air/radon/eh_radon.html
News articles:
MLive, January 2017: Have you tested your home for Radon? Ann Arbor is a natural hotspot
The Ann Arbor Observer, June 2017: Renting Radon