After performing hundreds of radon tests, we have determined that a vast majority of our clients found the following information crucial when deciding to have their prospective or current home tested for radon.
What Is Radon?
Radon (Rn) is a chemically inert, naturally occuring, radioactive gas that is present in every home at some level. The radon level of a home cannot be known until a test is performed because radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Radon is a by-product of the decay of uranium present in the soil. It then enters through a home's foundation and/or floor. The amount of radon in a home is primarily dependent upon the following actors: 1) the amount of uranium in the soil below the home, 2) the size and number of available routes for radon to enter the home, and 3) the rate of air exhange between indoors and outdoors.
Why Test Your Home For Radon?
- Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers according to the EPA. In fact, radon is estimated to kill more Americans than drunk drivers each year (21,000 vs. 17,400).
- The World Health Organization, American Lung Association, Centers for Disease Control, American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, and National Academy of Sciences all agree that radon is an environmental concern that should not be ignored.
- The U.S. Surgeon General stresses that every home should be tested for radon due to the known health risk of breathing radon in air. Click here for more information.
- The World Health Organization estimates that radon causes up to 15% of all lung cancers.
- According to the EPA map below, Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Dekalb counties (red counties below) have the highest predicted radon screening levels (greater than 4 pCi/L). The remainder of metro Atlanta (yellow counties below) has the 2nd highest predicted radon screening level (2 - 4 pCi/L). Regardless of location, all homes should be tested for radon.
- Age of the home, location of the home, and the neighboring homes' radon level should not be used to determine whether testing is necessary.
- Radon levels in a home cannot be determined without testing.
- Radon mitigation costs are typically $1500-$2500. Determining radon levels in a home prior to purchasing it could save the buyer this expense.
How Do We Perform A Radon Test?
HomeSafe Inspection uses the latest in technology to perform its radon tests. The devices used are Sun Nuclear 1028 continuous radon monitors which are calibrated yearly by the manufacturer. These monitors take a reading each hour during the test and provide an average for the duration of the testing period. The test must run for a minimum of 48 hours to be valid. These devices also detect tampering to help ensure the testing result is valid. Results are available on the same day as the test end date with no lab time required. Radon mitigation is recommended by the EPA for a home involved in a real estate transaction when the test result is not below 4.0 pCi / L.
