So Why Radon Test?

Did you know that radon is the second cause of lung cancer in the US, second only to smoking. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. About 21,000 people die every year from cancer caused by radon exposure. People who smoke and are exposed to radon are more likely to have lung cancer. One in 15 homes in the US has high levels of radon.

So, what is Radon? Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the breakdown of uranium. It is found in rocks, soil, and water where the uranium is decaying. It is tasteless, odorless, and invisible. It enters homes through cracks and holes in the foundation and becomes trapped creating a dangerous environment. The difference in air pressure between inside the home and the soil around it also contribute to its buildup. When the building has a lower air pressure than the soil a vacuum effect is created, and radon is sucked into the home.

People who live in Zone 1 are more likely to have levels at or above the EPA’s 4.0 pico-Curies per liter (pCi/L). Levels between 2.0 & 4.0 pCi/L are considered cautionary and require monitoring at a minimum. Levels 4.0 pCi/L or higher require immediate mitigation.

Radon testing is an important part of your yearly home maintenance. The only way to determine if your home is safe from radon is to have it tested. Many inspectors come in and test for a short period of time like 1-4 hours. This is NOT an accurate test. The national radon standards require the testing period to be a minimum of 48 hours using a Continuous Radon Monitoring device.

Contact us today to schedule your home’s radon screening.

References

Radon | US EPA

Radon Testing - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)

How to Test Your Home for Radon (cancer.org)

Radon and Your Health (cdc.gov)