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Radon Testing

1. What is Radon?

Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon is a form of ionizing radiation and a proven carcinogen.

2. Where is Radon found and how does it get into your home?

Radon in air is ubiquitous.  Radon is found in outdoor air and in the indoor air of buildings of all kinds.  It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.  Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up.  Any home may have a radon problem.  This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.  Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems.  Sometimes radon enters the home through well water.

3. What are the dangers of radon?

EPA estimates that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are radon-related.  Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.  Lung cancer is the only known effect on human health from exposure to radon in air.  For smokers the risk of lung cancer is significant due to the synergistic effects of radon and smoking.

For this population about 62 people in a 1,000 will die of lung-cancer, compared to 7.3 people in a 1,000 for never smokers.


Unfortunately, many Americans presume that because the action level is 4 pCi/L, a radon level of less than 4 pCi/L is "safe".  This perception is altogether too common in the residential real estate market. In managing any risk, we should be concerned with the greatest risk.  For most Americans, their greatest exposure to radon is in their homes; especially in rooms that are below grade (e.g., basements), rooms that are in contact with the ground and those rooms immediately above them.

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4. What are acceptable levels of radon?

EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is at or higher than 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter).

Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that Americans consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. 

The average radon concentration in the indoor air of America's homes is about 1.3 pCi/L.

It is upon this level that EPA based its estimate of 20,000 radon-related lung cancers a year upon.  It is for this simple reason that EPA recommends that Americans consider fixing their homes when the radon level is between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. 

The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is .4 pCi/L or 1/10th of EPA's 4 pCi/L action level.

5. How to test for radon in a home?

The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device. "Charcoal canisters," "alpha track," "electret ion chamber," "continuous monitors," and "charcoal liquid scintillation" detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. If you need results quickly, however, a short-term test followed by a second short-term test may be used to decide whether to fix your home.

If performing a short-term test lasting just 2 or 3 days, be sure to close windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before beginning the test. Do not conduct short-term tests lasting just 2 or 3 days during unusually severe storms or periods of unusually high winds. The test should be conducted in the lowest lived-in level of the home (for example, the basement if it is frequently used, otherwise the first floor). It should be put in a room that is used regularly (like a living room, playroom, den or bedroom) but not a kitchen or bathroom. Place the test at least 20 inches above the floor in a location where it won't be disturbed - away from drafts, high heat, high humidity, and exterior walls.

6. What if the radon level is 4.0 or higher?

Since there is no known safe level of radon, there can always be some risk. But the risk can be reduced by lowering the radon level in your home. There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home, but the one primarily used is a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This system, known as a soil suction radon reduction system, does not require major changes to your home. Sealing foundation cracks and other openings makes this kind of system more effective and cost-efficient. Similar systems can also be installed in houses with crawl spaces. Radon contractors can use other methods that may also work in your home. The right system depends on the design of your home and other factors.
 


*Kaylee Homes Inspection is not a mitigation contractor.

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