If you have never had your home tested for radon, you could have dangerously high levels of this gas in your home and not even know it because radon is colorless and odorless. The only way to detect the presence of radon is using specially designed radon testing kits. Whether you are considering purchasing a new home or have lived in the same house for years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly recommends that you test your home’s level of radon gas at least once per year.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released as a byproduct of the breakdown of certain minerals such as uranium. It comes out of the soil and can enter into buildings through cracks or gaps in the foundation, basement or crawlspace. For this reason, and because radon is a ‘heavy’ gas, lower levels of residences are likely to contain higher concentrations of the gas.
Although we are all exposed to a small level of radon in our day-to-day lives, elevated levels of radon gas can result in serious health conditions. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today and may be responsible for as many as approximately 20,000 deaths each year. The EPA states that any exposure to radon is bad, but it is a particularly serious problem anytime that the radon level exceeds 4 pico-curies per liter of air. At this amount, the EPA recommends immediate corrective action to reduce the amount of radon gas in the home.
Many homeowners are surprised to find out that newer homes may have high levels of radon present. In fact, due to better insulation and seal proof doors and windows, newer homes can trap radon inside with fewer areas air can escape. Additionally, some building materials themselves release small amounts of radon. Granite, in particular, is frequently implicated. These levels are generally considered negligible but may contribute to an already present problem.
Unfortunately, there are no obvious signs that indicate that your home may have dangerously high levels of radon gas. The only way to determine a radon level is to test your home for this specific element. You can either purchase a do-it-yourself home test or call a home inspection company to do a radon gas inspection for you.
There are two main types of home tests; active and passive. A passive detection kit is the fastest, easiest way to obtain a radon level, and does not require a power source. The test device usually consists of a plastic bag or box that is partially opened and left to sit in a low-level area of the house for a designated amount of time. Activated charcoal in the device absorbs chemicals in the air to be later analyzed in a laboratory. The time to complete this type of test and get proven results is between 1 and 3 days. You will receive a report of the findings soon after. The best way to purchase a home test kit is to order it from a qualified home inspection company. This way if you have any questions about the testing process or the results, you will get the needed answers.
The second type of home testing kit is an active test, or a radon detector. These function in a similar manner as a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, in that they take continuous readings. Some active tests also compile results to give daily, weekly or monthly average levels. The most obvious disadvantage to active detectors is the price, which is substantially higher than that of the simpler charcoal test kits.
If you prefer to leave the radon testing to the professionals, there are many home inspection companies that offer radon testing. Although it costs a bit more than doing the testing on your own, you can be certain that you have obtained an accurate reading and you will be able to address any concerns that you have with a professional inspector. Additionally, if the radon inspection concludes high radon levels, a home inspector can advise you on corrective actions to reduce radon exposure in your home.
Whichever type of test you choose, it is important to repeat the test every year, or more often, if a problem is detected. Excessive radon exposure is a serious health threat, and testing for radon should be no less common than owning a smoke detector or a fire extinguisher.
home-inspection
