Get A Radon Test
Knowledge Is Power! Know the Radon levels in your home.
A continuous radon monitor will be placed at the home’s lowest level for at least 48 hours to take an hourly reading. The EPA recommends action when radon levels are at 4.0 PCI/L or above.
Radon Testing is Important, and Here’s Why You Should Test, Especially Before You Purchase
Radon gas is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer over time. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), a radioactivity measurement. The average indoor radon level in the United States is about 1.3 pCi/L. The average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L. The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend fixing homes with radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L. EPA also suggests that people think about fixing their homes for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L
Below are five key things every homeowner should know about radon, radon testing, and how to reduce the levels of radon in their home.
What is Radon?
Radon is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and goes into the air you breathe. According to the EPA, it’s present in nearly all soils, and low radon levels are found in the air.
Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water.
What are the Dangers of Radon?
Because radon can go into the air, it enters and gets trapped in your home. You inhale it without noticing it as it is odorless and tasteless. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer over time. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 21,000 Americans are killed every year due to radon exposure. This explains why some people die of lung cancer without ever smoking a single cigarette.
You can’t see or smell radon, so testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. Radon can have a big impact on your family’s health.
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How Does Radon Enter the Home?
Any house of any age and state can be exposed to radon. Radon gas seeps directly through pores in concrete, but the worst entry points are the gaps in walls and floors. This is another reason why cracks and gaps should be sealed immediately. Radon poisoning is one of the reasons your house is making you sick for no apparent reason.
How to Test Your House for Radon
Hiring a professional inspector to conduct radon testing is the best option. According to EPA, a radon level of 4.0 pCi/L can still pose a health risk.
However, you can conduct radon testing yourself. It is best to do so in the lowest livable area of the home, which is regularly used for 8 to 10 hours per week.
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Short-Term Radon Test: This type of kit is available at home centers, hardware stores, and online retailers. Most short-term test kits are activated charcoal-based or use electret ion methodology, which measures radon levels for two to seven days.
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Long-Term Radon Test: This test measures radon levels for 90 days to 1 year. This type of kit is usually based on alpha particle tracking. It is also more accurate in terms of average annual levels, as radon levels can vary significantly from day to day or month to month. Long-term Radon Tests are available at state radon agencies and online retailers.
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Continuous Radon Test: Electric monitors can be used for short-term and long-term tests to give you a running daily average.
How to Lower Radon Levels
You can try these easy repairs to reduce the radon levels in your home:
- Caulk foundation cracks, joints, and other openings
- Install an airtight cover on your sump pump
- Cover crawlspaces with polyurethane plastic sheeting
Conduct the test again. If the levels are still high, consider a radon mitigation system. According to EPA, a radon mitigation system involves ventilating your home with PVC piping to draw radon gas up from the soil and out of your house. Although you can do this yourself, hiring a professional to do so is best. Exposure to high radon levels can pose a health risk to you and your family.
Radon is a serious health risk. It can be reduced easily and cost-effectively, but you have to know if your home has radon by testing. Take action today, and encourage your family members and friends to do the same!
Don’t Buy A Home Without A Radon Test! Call Us Today! We can help.