Radon/foundation cracks

[Pammy]

Hello. I just purchased a house with cracks in the foundation (I was aware of the damage and had it assessed, with a quote of $6,300 to repair- no excavation.)

The radon levels in the basement were between 6 and 7 (I was told 4 is the cutoff.)

My understanding is that the reason for the high levels of radon are due to the gases seeping into the basement through the cracks in the foundation. Now, taking that into consideration, I figure it might be dumb to remediate the radon before the foundation is fixed, and the foundation won't be fixed until late spring/early summer of '05 (my closing date is in the middle of January and I'm assuming the ground will be too hard to do any work like that until the ground softens.)

Is what I've just stated (in other words what I've been told) true? How long is too long to live in a radon-infested home?

BTW, the house (an estate) was listed at $129,900, my offer of $127,000 was accepted, and then the seller accepted my ammendment of $120,000 (due to the extent of the damaged foundation and radon levels,) with the stipulation that I would remediate the radon levels. I was told by my agent that the houses in the neighborhood were going for $150k. This house does need a lot of work, and I'm willing to do it gradually.

Was I taken?

[Tom]

You need to consult with the local EPA or county enviormental folks to get an answer for that I would think. Im not sure if I would have made myself responsible for the Radon fix without knowing what the cost will be. Your gambling this will be an easy fix. Hope it is, but you never know. Tom