Radon Testing
WHAT
IS RADON?
Radon is a cancer causing, radioactive gas. You
cannot see it, smell it or taste it. Radon is produced by the natural
breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. High levels of radon have
been found in every state in the US. One in fifteen homes in the US has
radon levels
above 4pCi/L, the EPA action level.
HEALTH
EFFECTS
OF RADON
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Of the 155,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States, about
12% are due to radon exposure. The remainder is due to smoking.
According to the National Academy of Sciences, radon is estimated to
cause about 15,000 deaths per year, although the number could be as
high as 22,000.
HOW
RADON ENTERS THE BODY
Radon and its decay products are inhaled and become lodged in the lungs
where they can radiate the cells lining the respiratory system. The
radioactive decay products of the radon emits alpha particles which are
damaging to these tissues. Exposure to elevated levels of radon greatly
enhances the risk of lung cancer. Even small exposures to radon can
result in increased cancer risk. Smoking combined with radon poses a
very serious risk.
SOURCES
OF RADON IN THE HOME
Radon gas can enter a home from the soil under the house through
cracks in the concrete slab, floors, or walls and through floor drains,
sump pumps, construction joints and cracks or pores in hollow-block
walls. Normal pressure differences between the house and the soil can
create a slight vacuum in the basement, which can draw radon from the
soil into the building. The design, construction and ventilation of the
home can affect the radon levels of the home.
Well
water can be another source of indoor radon. Radon released by well
water during showering or other activities may release radon gas into
the home. Radon in water is a much smaller factor in radon exposure
than radon in soil.
Radon
exposure outdoors is much less of a risk than indoors because the radon
is diluted to low concentrations by the large volume of air.
WHEN
TO TEST
The EPA recommends that all residences below the third floor level be
tested for radon. In addition, the EPA also recommends testing all
rooms in contact with the ground in schools. If you have tested your
home, you should retest every two years since radon levels can change
with structural changes in the home. If you decide to use a lower floor
of your home, such as a basement, you should test this level before
occupancy. In addition, you should always test prior to the purchase of
a home.
SHORT
TERM TEST
This is a 2-day test in which an electronic radon monitoring device is
left
in the basement of the home. After a minimum of 48 hours, the
results are available immediately. If possible, the radon
monitoring device is set up before the inspection so that the results
can be given at the home inspection.
LONG TERM TEST
This is a 3-month to 1-year test in which a long term canister is left
in the basement of the home to get results for a longer term.
This gives a better average of the radon levels over a long period of
time. The canister is picked up after a predetermined time and
sent to a lab. The results are given to the customer within a
week of pickup.
