Radon testing is the only reliable way to determine if your home has unsafe radon levels. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, exceeded only by smoking. Like smoking, Radon is a long-term threat with variables such as the radon level present and the length of time you were exposed.
According to the United States Environmental Agency, 21,000 people die of lung cancer from Radon gas exposure each year. That number does not include those who go through the pain and suffering of lung cancer and do not die. More people die from exposure to Radon than die from choking, drowning, firearm homicides, carbon monoxide, and secondhand smoke combined (20,758).
Radon gas is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless by-product of uranium. Radon is found in all 50 states and Canada in varying concentrations. Concentrations can even vary from one end of a sub-division to another.
The composition of the soil at the surface determines the local distribution of the gas. Hard compacted clay-type soils resist the passing of the gas more than sandy soils or gravel beds.
Other variables include soil moisture content and the absence or presence of strong winds. Building construction will also influence the radon levels in a structure.
Radon Testing is Inexpensive
The good news is a simple two-day test can determine the levels in your home. We do the testing with very little if any disruption of your daily life. The significant conditions involved in testing are as follows;
- House temperature must be maintained within 5 degrees of 72 degrees
- All windows and doors must remain closed except for normal in and out traffic
- Dryers, whole-house fans, and fireplaces should not be used during the test as they may raise the readings unnecessarily
- The test must be conducted for a minimum of 48 hours
We recommend using a licensed measurement technician over the use of hardware store test kits for radon testing. Locally purchased test kits often end up costing more than a professional would charge. If the radon testing is for a real estate transaction, there is no guarantee the buyer or seller will accept the results as valid.
The result is the test must be repeated using an independent testing company at additional and unnecessary money and delay.