What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the radioactive decay of Uranium found in rocks and soil. Radon gas rises freely through loose gravel, cracks, and underground fissures finding its way into homes and buildings. When the air pressure inside a building is lower than the air pressure outside the building, a vacuum is created that can pull radon through concrete pores, cracks and openings in the foundation and around pipes and joints. Elevated Radon levels and long term exposure in a home or building are considered health hazards.
Where Has Radon Been Found?
Several inspection companies have started to post their testing results on this website. A Local Radon Map is in the process of being developed. There is a map provided by the State of Wisconsin but it is more of a macro picture of the state. Data is being entered all of the time and the map is constantly changing. Check back often!
What can I do to protect myself and my family from radon?
The first step is to test your home for radon, and have it fixed if it is at or above EPA's Action Level of 4 picocuries per liter. That's equivalent to 200 chest X-rays each year! .Because the level of radioactivity is directly related to the number and type of radioactive atoms present, radon and all other radioactive atoms are measured in picoCuries. For instance, a house having 4 picoCuries of radon per liter of air (4 pCi/L) has about 8 or 9 atoms of radon decaying every minute in every liter of air inside the house. A 1,000-square-foot house with 4 pCi/L of radon has nearly 2 million radon atoms decaying in it every minute. Generally, levels can be brought below 2 pCi/l fairly simply.
The best method for reducing radon in your home will depend on how radon enters your home and the design of your home. For example, sealing cracks in floors and walls may help to reduce radon. There are also systems that remove radon from the crawl space or from beneath the concrete floor or basement slab that are effective at keeping radon from entering your home. These systems are simple and don't require major changes to your home. Other methods may be necessary.People who have private wells should test their well water to ensure that radon levels meet EPA's newly proposed standard.
How is Radon Detected?
There are many ways this can be performed. Charcoal Canisters, Self-Test kits, and Continuous Radon Monitors. The canisters and kits also require a laboratory to analyse the results and send the report back. This process will add days to the testing process.
Continuous Radon Monitors are expensive and you will know at the end of the test what the results are that day! There are also features that are built-in to the continuous monitors that will detect if someone Tampered with or Powered Down the unit during the testing period. This tamper detection is very important for accurate test results and is not available with the other test methods mentioned above.
What is the Testing Process?
The placement of the testing device should be:
- In the lowest livable level of the home
- 3 feet from any exterior doors and/or windows
- 1 foot from exterior walls
- 20 inches above the floor
- 4 inches away from any other objects
- Away from humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms
- Away from natural stone surfaces like granite counter tops and fireplaces
- Away from cellular phones1 monitor can handle up to 2000 square feet.
- A short term Radon test requires a minimum of 48 hours
Note: Windows and doors must remain closed during the entire test except for normal entry and exit. Heating and Air conditioning systems should be set for a normal operating condition. Whole house fans or attic fans if installed should be disabled during the Radon test. Please review the Radon Testing Contract
How Much does it cost?
We offer Radon testing using the Continuous Radon Monitor for $125 for the initial test. We offer a $25 discount if the radon test is scheduled as any part of your home inspection.
