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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=DE link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Dear Sarah,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>>where are you from? It sounds that you have never been to Germany an picture it as a country with hobbit houses made of high-level-radiating earth. Everybody is freaked out of course. Hello….please back to reality and serious facts please. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>>Germany has an infinitisemal small percentage of earthen houses, we strawbale and earth builders are all kind of at the periphery of the whole building scene. Most houses are made from bricks, 5% of Wood.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>>There are some areas where the earth emits radon, I think this is the radiation that you are talking of, which indeed contributes to lung cancer. It is therefore wise, and every builder should know this, that if certain geological circumstances are met (e.g. schist), one should measure radon on the building site. If there is radon-emission, it can easily be handled by simply sealing the foundation. Radon becomes only harmful if it accumulates in closed spaces.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Some clay also contains a higher level of radon which can and should be measured. If you have high levels of radon in the clay, don`t use it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>So your concern is valid, but it is not a widespread problem and not a problem of Germany and China exclusively. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Just keep it in mind, measure your site and the material and then either take measures or don`t use the material.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Greetings, Tilman from Shaktihaus <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US>Original message:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US>Hi everybody,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US>There is a real concern that radiation from earth in buildings are at harmful levels, especially in Germany and china. I would like to hear what you know and think of it as I am contacted by nervous clients about the matter. I have a hard time finding information on the subject. A German article was describing the high levels of radiation as being a big contributor to lung cancer which has freaked out the German population as it has a large amount of earthen houses. It is Thoron that is the suspect.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US>If you know about how to stop radiation from walls, like paints or wall paper, etc, let me know also.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US>Look forward to hearing from you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Sara Tommerup<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>