The Green Valley Group provides Radon Testing. We utilize Continuous Radon Monitors (CRM) to measure the levels of radon in the home. These monitors are known for their accuracy and come equipped with other environmental sensors to simultaneously measure ambient temperature, barometric pressure and relative humidity. This also allows an inspector to be sure that the monitor maintained favorable testing conditions throughout the testing window to help insure that the readings are uninfluenced and accurate.
Radon Testing
What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell, taste or color. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all rock and soil. Radon is natural and a very potential hazard when geological conditions are favorable. Radon is at its greatest potential in buildings because the gas collects in the enclosed spaces. Outdoor levels never reach dangerous concentrations because of scattering due to air movements. Radon does enter buildings through the ground in the basement of the homes and in some well water use, but rarely contributes to high indoor levels.
What If You Do Find High Levels and Are There Ways of Lowering The Levels In The Home?
If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. The EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home’s indoor radon levels if your radon test result is 4 pCi/L or higher.
One school of thought is that it may be better to correct a radon problem before placing your home on the market because then you have more time to address a radon problem. If elevated levels are found during the real estate transaction, the buyer and seller should discuss the timing and costs of the radon reduction. The cost of making repairs to reduce radon levels depends on how your home was built and other factors. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs, like painting or having a new hot water heater installed.
How Do You Test For Radon?
There is two ways set out to test according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Testing Procedure Testing takes from two to ninety days, depending on the device used.
The minimum test of 48-80 hours is required for typical Real Estate Transaction Deal, using the charcoal canisters method or using a CRM.
Why Is Radon A Hazard?
Radon is a gas that decays into radioactive particles that can be trapped in the lungs when inhaled. Radon is natural and can’t be seen, smelled or tasted. Radon enters your home or building through the ground and underlying soil. Radon easily dissolves in water and is released into air without knowing (adds but not significantly). You don’t really know if you are being exposed unless you test your home or building. Indoor radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It’s important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques.