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| No
matter how high the radon levels are in your home, they can
become hazardous to your health or cause lung cancer if you
are exposed to radon gas for long periods of time. |
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| Radon
Gas |
| The
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Surgeon General
of the United States, The American Lung Association, the National
Safety Council, Consumer Federation of America foundation, The American
Association of Radon Scientist and technologists and the National
and American Society of Home Inspectors recommend that all Homes be
tested for Radon. In most Real Estate Contracts a 'radon clause is
present stating that a radon inspection must be made on the property.
Many Mortgage Companies are also requesting that the home be tested
for Radon before a mortgage is approved. |
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| Simply
stated, Radon is a Cancer-Causing, Radioactive Gas that causes 15,000
to 22,000 or 12% of Lung Cancer deaths annually. Radon is the second
leading cause of Lung Cancer in the United States behind Smoking.
Radon is colorless, odorless and undetectable unless a test in done.
EPA says that 1 in every 15 Homes has a high level of Radon above
the take action amount of 4 picas curies per liter. (4 pCi/L) It is
unfortunate but most of the Maryland area is in a high level zone
according to the EPA map of high level zones in the United States.
|
| (Click
to visit the EPA WEB site for complete details www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/zonemap.html)
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| A
quick summary of radon information clearly states that no matter how
high the radon levels are your home, they can become Hazardous to
your Health or cause lung Cancer, if you are exposed to radon gas
for long periods of time. The higher the Radon Level is in your home
and the more time you spend in your home the more likely you could
develop lung cancer. If you smoke or have smoked in the past your
chances of developing Lung Cancer are 17 times greater. |
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| High
levels of Radon in your home can be corrected for an average cost
of between $800 and $2500 according to the EPA. It is better to correct
a radon problem before placing your home on the market because, you
have more time to address a radon problem before a Real Estate Transaction
takes place, Plus the buyer has Peace of Mind which normally generates
a higher selling price for your home and a lot less problems getting
to the settlement table. |
| Request
a copy of - Guide to Radon. |
Send
AAA Quality Homes Inspections, Inc. and e-mail today and ask for a
free copy of the Home Buyers and Seller's Guide to Radon. 40 pages
published by the EPA.
Plus a $25.00 Off coupon for a Certified Radon Test in your home will
be mailed to you tomorrow.
Maryland Residents only.
Please include your Name Address, zip code and Phone Number on the
E-mail and the 40 page Home Buyers and Sellers Guide to Radon and
a $25.00 discount coupon will be mailed to you tomorrow. To contact
us by phone call 410-592-8017 or Fax the requested information to
410-592-8097. Cell Phone 410-459-7788. |
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|
| What
Happens during a Radon Test in your home? |
| Short
Term Tests: |
| |
| Normally
done for most Real Estate Transactions. The test can last from 48
Hours to 90 Days depending on the testing device. Long Term tests
remain in your home for more than 90 days and different testing devices
can be used. If time permits a long -term test can be used to confirm
short term test results. |
| Different
testing devices can be used that are of a passive nature (do not need
electricity or batteries) they include alpha track detectors, charcoal
canisters, charcoal liquid scintillation detectors and electorate
ion chambers. The active device needing electricity is a continuous
monitor. Each device has some advantages and some disadvantages but
the best device that has the highest precision of accuracy is the
electorate ion chambers. They are safe to use and require the least
amount of time to be in your home, which means less interruption to
your daily home life when a test is under way. |
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| The
Test |
| Two
tests are take at the same time (simultaneous) which improves the
precision of the radon test. The Test devices are placed in your home
by our Certified Radon testers and after 48 hours they are picked
up and tested in our Lab for their results. A 12 Hour closed door
and window prerequisite before the short term test is required. Results
can be faxed, e-mailed or mailed normally 12 hours after the test
is completed. |
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| Radon
Testing Checklist |
| For
reliable test results, follow this Radon Testing Checklist carefully.
Improper testing may yield inaccurate results and require another
test. Disturbing or interfering with the test devices, or with CLOSED-HOUSE
CONDITIONS, may invalidate the test results and is illegal in some
states. If the seller or qualified tester cannot confirm that all
items have been completed, another test must be taken. |
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Notify the occupants of the importance of proper testing conditions,
give them a copy of this guide if possible and explain the directions
carefully.
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Conduct the radon test for a minimum of 48 hours using the electorate
ion chambers and maintain closed house conditions for a minimum
of 12 hours before the 48 hour test begins.
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The test will include methods to prevent or detect interference
with testing conditions or with the testing devices itself.
- If
the house has an active radon-reduction system, make sure the
vent fan is operating properly. If the fan is not operating properly,
have it (or ask to have it) repaired and then test.
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Maintain closed-house conditions during the entire duration of
a short -term test, especially for tests shorter that one week
in length.
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Operate the home's heating and cooling systems normally during
the test. For tests lasting less than one week, operate only air-conditioning
units which re-circulate interior air.
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Do not disturb the test devices at any time during the test.
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After the test the devices will be picked up and taken to our
laboratory where the results of the test will be determined. Results
of the test will in most cases be e-mailed, faxed or mailed to
you within 12 hours after the laboratory has determined the results.
-
Levels of radon 4 pCi/L or more the EPA recommends that you take
action to fix the home to reduce the level of radon gas. In most
cases, a system with a vent pipe(s) and fan(s) is used to reduce
the radon. Radon mitigation contractors may use other methods
that may also work in your home. The right system depends on the
design of your home and other factors. Only use a licensed certified
mitigation contractor to do the repairs.
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After the radon reduction system is installed another radon test
should take place in the same location as the last test was performed.
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Need more information on radon, go to EPA's web site at www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/index.html
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| Radon
Water Checklist |
| If
you have elevated levels of radon in your home and your water supply
is from a well, your should have the well water tested for radon. |
| This
is a 24 hour test where samples of the water are taken by a licensed
test operator and placed under strict testing condition for 24 hours.
The results are normally available within 12 hours after the test
is completed and can be sent by e-mail, fax or mailed. |
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| What
does closed Door Conditions mean when coducting a radon test? |
| Closed
door conditions must be maintained for a 12 hour period before a short
term Radon test can be done in a home. The results may not be accurate
if the following conditions are not kept and the test will need to
be preformed again. The radon levels can be influenced significantly
either plus or minus if these conditions are not met. |
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Closed-House
conditions means keeping all windows closed, keeping doors closed
except for normal entry and exit, and not operating fans or other
machines which bring in air from the outside. Fans that are part of
a radon-reduction system or small exhaust fans operating for only
a short periods of time may be run during the test. 12 hours before
the devices are placed in the home for a short term test, these conditions
must be met and maintained during the test or the test is considered
invalid.
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