Radon Testing. Most homes have radon. How much is in yours?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air we breathe. Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Radon is classified as a Class A carcinogen and causes lung cancer. According to the EPA and the Surgeon General, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Most houses have some level of radon. Radon testing is the only way to find out how much radon is in your home.

Every home has the potential for elevated levels of radon. Radon gets drawn into our homes through cracks, joints and penetrations in foundations and slab and crawlspace floors. Radon can accumulate to dangerous levels in the air we breathe. Exposure to such levels can pose serious health risks. Any home can have elevated levels of radon, including homes built with below ground basements (including walk-out and walk-up basements), homes built on slabs such as garage townhomes, and homes built over crawlspaces. Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon level. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon, including condos. 

Radon testing is very simple and inexpensive. Testing is conducted in the lowest livable area in a home, usually the basement, finished or unfinished. Testing is conducted for a minimum of 48 hours under “closed house conditions” which involves keeping all windows and doors closed (except for minimal entry and exit) and minimizing outside air exchanges for 12 hours prior to the test and for the duration of the test. Because Radon levels can fluctuate day to day, season to season, the EPA recommends that homes be tested during real estate transactions, before and after remodeling and every 2 years. Measurement results are given in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/l). While no level of Radon is safe, the EPA recommends taking action to reduce indoor Radon levels of 4 pCi/l and higher. Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon level. Remediation to lower radon levels is usually easy and cost effective. 

We use  E-Perm® Radon Detectors, also known as Electret Ion chambers, to record radon levels. E-Perm® is amongst the most accurate radon detector in the industry and are US EPA approved. Two detectors are used for added accuracy and are enclosed in a tamper resistant box. Tamper monitors are used to monitor the testing environment by recording changes in air pressure, humidity, temperature and or device movement, for the duration of the testing period which may invalidate the test results. All tests are performed to EPA and the State of Virginia protocols.

We are a full-service Radon Laboratory, accredited by the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) #ARL1302. Results are sent the day the tests are retrieved.