What is Radon?Radon (Rn) is a naturally occurring, highly radioactive, invisible gas that has neither an odor or taste. Radon is produced from the natural decay of differing kinds of rocks and soils. Radon is most commonly found in underground working areas such as mines or caves where the air has very little room to ventilate. When outdoors, Radon dissipates fairly quickly, but inside of a home, it can linger for longer periods of time and become a health hazard if left unattended.
Radon tends to enter residential homes through the holes in the floorboards, rise through a potentially faulty foundation in your garage, get trapped in basements, and can even affect school or office buildings as well. According to a study done by the Surgeon General’s Office, Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is posed as a serious health concern.
Radon TestingThe state of Tennessee has some of the highest Radon testing results in the country. With over 50% of homes in Nashville and Knoxville having elevated levels of Radon, it is important to consider having your home tested for hazardous contamination. Radon testing is a quick and unobtrusive process that can be completed within just a few days.
Why Should You Test for Radon?Because Radon is an unnoticeable gas that poses a high health risk, it is important to know whether your home has elevated levels of Radon or not. Many homes in the US, Tennessee especially, have elevated Radon levels without realizing it. However, Radon poisoning can have serious effects on your health. Radon related lung cancer kills over 21,000 people every year in the United States.
The good news is that Radon testing is a rather simple process! Testing your home for Radon is very time efficient and affordable. There are typically two types of Radon testing: short-term testing and long-term testing. Short-term testing is the most common testing done for residential homes. Within a 48 hour – 72 hour period of time, you could have your results back and begin dealing with the problem if an issue is found.
When Should I Test?Testing for Radon is a very important process to consider investing in at least once or twice a year. Radon levels vary depending on the weather and the season, but most commonly rise during seasons with heavy rain and/or snow and ice. Fall and Winter are the more common times of the year to test for Radon, but if you have a concern, you can consider testing your home during any time or season of the year.
Testing twice a year can be a viable source of determining how your Radon levels fluctuate throughout the year. If Spring or Summer do not pose a risk, it may be that during the Fall and Winter seasons your home’s Radon concentration rises. It is important to consider the potential threat Radon poses to you and your family. Remember, over 21,000 deaths are reported every year due to Radon induced lung cancer.
How Does Testing Work?Testing for Radon is a simple process. If you are concerned your house may have a high level of contamination, call a Radon mitigation service and they can come out and test your home in no time.
Types of Radon TestingThere are two short-term testing methods used when measuring Radon levels within your home. These methods are used to track how your home is affected within a short period of time. Some can track hourly Radon levels over the course of a couple days and some track how your home is affected over the course of a week or two.
CRM TestingOne way of short-term testing is through a continuous radon monitor (or a CRM). CRM devices are the preferred method because they can give an hour by hour reading on the Radon levels within your home or business. They work by providing the testing company an accurate pCi/L reading. These readings are taken hourly to track the fluctuations of Radon levels over the course of each day. Results with a CRM are usually available within 48 – 72 hours and are very useful for any potential mitigation needs.
Charcoal TestingThe second short-term testing method is with activated charcoal canisters. The activated charcoal canisters act as a Radon absorbing device. The canister will sit either in your basement, crawl space, or other area where Radon typically likes to rest. Due to the charcoal needing adequate time to absorb Radon gas, testing results for activated charcoal canisters can take anywhere between 10 – 14 days before they are ready.
How to Read Your ResultsRadon is a radioactive gas and is measured by pCi/L (Picocuries per liter) a unit used in measuring radioactive concentrations. A safe Radon concentration has been determined to be around 2.6 pCi/L for your home, but many people have concentrations above the recommended safe level. If your home is found to have a Radon concentration of 4.0 pCi/L or above, an immediate mitigation procedure will be highly recommended.
What to Do Before and During a Radon TestOne of the most important things you can do before and during a Radon test is to keep your doors and windows closed for at least 12 hours before the test begins and during the entire duration of the test. If you are a pet owner or have small children, this may be a challenge for you. But it is important to make sure your house remains sealed in order to receive accurate test results.
Because Radon dissipates when it comes into contact with outside air, if your home has open windows or doors during the duration of the test or after, it may give a reduced, inaccurate reading. Consider testing during a couple week days when you know you may be out of the house for longer periods of time or during a weekend family outing.
Want More Information?Have any questions? Consider visiting our website for more information: Radon 1 from https://www.radon1.com/what-is-radon-testing/
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