You can’t see it, taste it, or smell it, but radon gas could be a problem in your home or business.
Radon comes from natural decay of uranium in rock and soil and can be found in most areas across the United States.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today and can even be higher for people that smoke. The surgeon general estimates between 18,000 & 22,000 lung cancer illnesses per year are caused by radon.
Testing is the only way to determine how much radon gas you are being exposed to. EPA and the Surgeon General recommended testing homes, offices, and schools in the lowest areas inhabited below grade.
Radon – resistant construction methods can be effective in prevention of radon entry and are all cost effective and simple to install if done during the building process. These guidelines can be found at EPA’s website “Building Radon Out: A Step By Step on how to Build Radon Resistant Homes”. EPA considers safe levels of radon to be less than 4pCi/L. If radon levels are above this the home or building owner should consider a radon removal system for the location.
There are two ways to test for radon in your home or business.
A short term test remains in your home for two to 90 days. Charcoal canisters “alpha track”, “electret ion chamber”, “continuous monitors” and “charcoal liquid scintillation detectors” are the most common. Short term testing is less reliable than long term testing to give your year round average.
A long term test is more than 90 days and “alpha tract” and electret” are the most common for this type of test. A long term test will give you more accurate year round average.
If you have a home or office that has higher than 4pCi/L levels, a radon system to lower the concentration is recommended. The most common method, known as a soil suction radon reduction system does not require major changes to your home. This system is typically plumbed into the ground under the concrete slab of your basement and a fan exhausts the radon gas outside the home. The system design is based on individual home design and the extent of the radon problem. Most systems are less than $2,000 dollars depending on the site, structure, and the level of radon. The one chosen for you by your installer should be designed based on where and how much radon is entering your building.
After remediation the home or office should be again be checked for radon. EPA suggests levels should be below 2pCi/l, but no exposure to radon is considered safe.
Testing Steps 1-2-3
Step 1. Test your home with short term test. If your results are 4pCil/l or higher take a second follow up test.
Step 2. If your first test is higher than 4pCi/l then consider a long term test or a second short test. If you need results quickly, take a second short term test if your first test was twice the EPA 4pCi/l action level.
Step 3. If your second short test or your long term test are higher than EPA action level of 4pCi/l then install a radon reduction system.
This HBA Home Pro Tip brought to you by Sunbelt Environmental Services.