Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive decay product of uranium. Uranium is primarily found within rocks and soil but can also be found in certain home building products.

Why Is Radon A Health Problem?

When inhaled, alpha radiation of radon can lead to the formation of lung cancer in two ways. A radical radon alpha particle has the ability to split a water molecule, one byproduct solution being a highly acidic compound capable of damaging DNA. An alpha emission in the lungs can also directly strike lung cell DNA, leading to the formation of cancerous cells. Lung cancer is a disease with a low survival rate and is VERY expensive to treat.

How Is Radon A Problem Within A Home?

Natural uranium deposits within the rocks and soils existing underneath most homes. The radon gas byproduct diffuses its way through gaps into the soil and is literally vacuumed into the house. Utility connections, natural foundation settlement and the porous nature of many building materials literally make it impossible to merely seal radon gas out of the home.

When Is Radon Considered A Problem Within A Home?

The EPA action level for radon mitigation is 4 Pico curies per liter. Empowerment Home Inspection and the EPA recommends that mitigation be considered if levels are within the 2 to 4 Pico curies per liter range. Levels below the 2 Pico curies range is generally considered safe but periodic retesting is strongly recommended to insure that this level does not increase.

How Is A Home Radon Problem Solved?

Radon Mitigation is a very affordable solution ($700-$2000) that will maintain safe radon levels year round, regaurdless of weather conditions. A mitigation specialist installs a sub slab depressurization system that employs a hermetically sealed fan to vacuum radon gas from the sorl through an exhaust pipe to the atmosphere. This system must be professionally installed to insure that it is effectively mitigating the radon gas, for an improperly installed system could raise indoor radon levels.

What Do I Need To Know About Radon During The Real Estate Transaction?

If you want a radon problem on the home you are purchasing to be remedied during the real estate transaction, you must put such a clause in the purchase contract. If not, the seller has no obligation to provide mitigation or even allow testing. Chances are that your real estate agent will not promote a radon contingency, for it is not required and it is a condition that puts the purchase contract at risk.

How Is Radon Tested?

A medium for measuring radon, charcoal canister being the most popular, is placed in a room on the lowest living space. EPA protocol must be maintained to insure that the placement, testing conditions and the laboratory analysis of the testing medium produce an accurate reading. Empowerment Home Inspection employs liquid scintillation (LS) radon gas detector tests in compliance with EPA protocol, despite the addtional time and business expenses that it necessitates.

When Should I Schedule My Radon Test?

If your purchase contract includes a radon contingency, it should be performed during the contingency period. If you want the security of knowing that the test cannot be tampered with by the seller or the realtors, testing after closing on the transaction and before moving into the home is the perfect time. If you are currently living in the home, simple steps can be taken to insure an accurate test. An Empowerement Home Inspector knows how to accommodate most situations for EPA compliant radon testing.

What Is The Cost For An Empowerment Home Inspection Radon Test?

• Purchased with a home inspection- $69
• Follow up test (if deemed necessary)- $29 plus travel expense
• Purchased without home inspection- $99
• Periodic retest for a past client- $69

Don't let your home give you lung cancer, call us today to test your radon levels at (608)963-0073!