keep your family safe
How it affects your health
Radon Gas
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.
(Visit EPA for complete details)
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.
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”
Contact AAA Quality Homes Inspections, Inc. today and ask for a free copy of the Home Buyers and Seller’s Guide to Radon 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.
Or view the Home Buyers and Seller’s Guide on the EPAs website.
What happens during a radon Test?
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.
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.
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.
- Notify the occupants of the importance of proper testing conditions, give them a copy of this guide if possible and explain the directions carefully.
- 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.
- 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.
- Maintain closed-house conditions during the entire duration of a short -term test, especially for tests shorter that one week in length.
- 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.
- Do not disturb the test devices at any time during the test.
- 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. - After the radon reduction system is installed another radon test should take place in the same location as the last test was performed.
- Need more information on radon, visit the EPA
Closed Door Conditions
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.
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.
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.