Radon is a Cancer-Causing Radioactive Gas.
You can not see radon. And you can not smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home. That is because when you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. There are over 21,000 deaths per year due to Radon exposure. The number one biggest exposure to radiation in the United States is Radon Gas. Don't put yourself and your family at risk to developing lung cancer, schedule a radon test immediately.
Radon Has Been Found in Homes All Over The United States.
Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the U.S. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground in the the air above and into your home through the cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home can trap radon inside. Sometimes radon can enter the home through well water also. Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home. that is where you spend most of your time.
Radon Testing in Closed Building Conditions
Your cooperation is needed to help maintain the following "closed-building conditions" beginning 12 hours before testing and during the 2 day testing period.
Closed-building conditions are necessary for short-term measurements in order to stabilize the radon and radon decay product concentrations and increase the reproducibility of the measurement. Windows on all levels and external doors should be kept closed (except during normal entry and exit) during the measurement period. Normal entry and exit include a brief opening and closing of a door, but (to the extent possible) external doors should not be left open for more than a few minutes. In addition, external-internal air exchange systems (other than a furnace) such as high volume, whole-house and window fans should not be operating. However, attic fans intended to control attic and not whole building temperature or humidity should continue to operate. Combustion or makeup air supplies must not be closed. Normal operation of permanently installed energy recovery ventilators (also known as heat recovery ventilators or air-to-air heat exchangers) may also continue during closed-building conditions. In houses where permanent radon mitigation systems have been installed, these systems should be functioning during the measurement period.
MYTH:
Radon only affects certain types of homes.
FACT: Radon can be a problem in all types of homes such as old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements and homes without basements. Construction materials and the way the home has been built may also affect radon levels.
MYTH:
A neighbor's test result is a good indication of whether your home has a radon problem.
FACT: It is not. Radon levels vary from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a problem is to test it.
MYTH:
Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem.
FACT: Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations (like the Center for Disease Lung Association and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.
MYTH:
Radon testing devices are not reliable and are difficult to find.
FACT: Radon testing can be conducted by professional inspector who have been certified and trained to comply with EPA protocols. Other optional testing devices are available through the mail, in hardware stores and other retail outlets, however, it is critical the procedure comply with EPA protocols to ensure accurate results.
MYTH:
Short term testing can not be used for making a decision about whether to reduce the home's high radon levels.
FACT: Short term tests may be used to decide whether to reduce the home's high radon levels. However, the closer the short term testing result is to 4 pCi/L, the less certainty there is about whether the home's year round average is above or below that level.
Radon air Testing
Radon Testing Options
A radon test should never under any circumstance be tampered with. Attempting to open windows to potentially lower the levels of radon gas can adversely spike the radon levels up and cause for a higher radon level to be recorded. It is your duty as a seller during a Real Estate transaction to comply with Closed Building Conditions to ensure the proper dynamic equilibrium is met and the best possible measure of radon is recorded. Radon causes over 21,000 deaths in the United States per year and is a Class A Carcinogen, for your health, safety and the safety or others never attempt to tamper with a radon testing device or with closed building conditions.
What is Radon?
Important Please Read:
Home must meet Closed Building Conditions, All windows throughout the entire house must be closed 12 hours prior to your radon technician activating the continuous radon monitor in order to achieve dynamic equilibrium and closed throughout the test duration. Click the link below to read all requirements.
At ABC Home Inspection Inc. we inform you of the home's conditions at the time of inspection. We complete a 60 to 80 page detailed computerized report e-mailed to the client on the day of the inspection. This report will outline visible needed repairs and conditions of the home on the day of inspection.
ABC Serving Parts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Since 1984 ¨A State Licensed Home Inspection Company¨
The house must have all windows and doors from top floor to lowest level closed 12 hours before the inspector starts the radon test. This is called creating equilibrium. The owners can come and go but can't leave doors and windows open during the test of during equilibrium.
Inform all agents/sellers of the radon test before the scheduled date, give them adequate time to prepare for Closed Building Condition Requirements.
If an inspector shows up for an appointment to place a continuous radon monitor and any windows are open the service will automatically be extended to a 72–96-hour test instead of a 48-hour test.
All cancellations must be made within a 24 hour notice, if a cancellation is made on site a $50 service fee will apply.
All Radon Continuous Monitor Drop offs on Fridays will not be picked up until Monday.
For questions/concerns please call 978.373.2859
Radon Continuous Monitor
(Limited availability, not available in some areas, please book ahead.)
The inspector will set up a radon detection monitor in the house. The machine will be left for 2 days; the inspector will retrieve the radon detection machine and provide the client with a radon report through email on the day of the pickup (no delay).
Advantages of Continuous Radon Monitors:
- 48 hour results, no delay, no getting lost in the mail.
- Can track hourly variations.
- Results are provided in the format of a detailed report, consisting of data, ranges, and graphs showing the radon levels each hour through the 2 day test.
- Continuous monitors are not at risk of bias results due to humidity changes.
- ABC Home Inspection will handle the entire test from drop off to pick up. The buyers and real estate agents will have no direct involvement in the radon testing.
Cost
$225.00 (Price may vary depending on geographic location.)
Ma | 978.373.2859
NH | 603.891.4777
Email | info@abchomeinspection.com
Radon double vial liquid scintillation
The inspector will set up two radon test vials at the house. The vials will be left for 2 days, the real estate agent or the buyer will retrieve the vials and mail or hand deliver them to our lab in Salem, NH or Medway, MA.
The results will be posted on the labs website, which you can access through The ABC Home Inspection Website and clicking on the Test Results link. The results will be available within 1-2 days once the lab receives the vials.
Total time for test results report could be 5-7 days from set up time to posting of results on line. The client will only get their results through the online posting- they will have to download their report for a hard copy. This report shows a one number average radon reading only.
Disadvantages associated with the Double Vial Liquid Scintillation:
- Results can be biased based on fluctuations of humidity and lab analysis.
- Results will not be in a detailed format, there will not be any hourly variations or detailed graphs showing radon levels. You will only receive 1 average number that is recorded between the two vials.
- The client or their designated representative will be required to receive the vials and ship them to the lab *see below for an additional service.
- Will take 4 - 7 to receive results.
Cost
$125.00 limited service, in conjunction with a full home
inspection, the home inspector
will set up, client will be responsible
to retrieve and mail test vials to lab.
Radon Remediation System ¬