Q) What is radon and why is it dangerous?
A) Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air conditioning radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
Q) What is the 'acceptable' level of radon?
A) The US EPA has established the "action level" for deciding when you need to "do something" about the radon in your home, school, or work place is 4pCi/L. pCi/I = picocuries per liter, the most popular method of reporting radon levels. For those interested in the numbers, a picoCurie is 0/000,000,000,00 (one-trillionth) of a Curie, an international measurement unit of radioactivity. One pCi/L means that in one liter of air there will be 2.2 radioactive disintegrations each minute. For example, at 4 pCi/L there will be approximately 12,262 radioactive disintegrations in one liter of air, during a 24-hour period. 4 pCi/L is the level accepted by most states.Q) How can I get reliable radon test results?
A) Radon testing is the only way to find out if you have a radon problem in your home. Since you cannot see or smell radon, special equipment is needed to detect it. When you're ready to test your home, you can order a radon test kit by mail from a qualified radon measurement services provider or laboratory. You can also hire a qualified radon tested, (highly recommended) who will use a radon device(s) suitable to your situation. The most common types of radon testing devices are listed below.Passive Devices
Passive radon testing devices do not need power to function. These include charcoal canisters, alpha-track detectors, charcoal liquid scintillation devices, and electret ion chamber detectors which are available in hardware, drug, and other stores; they can also be ordered by mail or phone. These devices are exposed to the air in the home for a specified period of time and then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Both short-term and long-term passive devices are generally inexpensive. Some of these devices may have features that offer more resistance to test interference or disturbance than other passive devices. Qualified radon testers may use any of these devices to measure the home's radon level.
Active Devices
Active radon testing devices required power to function. These include continuous radon monitors and continuous working level monitors. They continuously measure and record the amount of radon or its decay products in the air. Many of these devices provide a report of this information which can reveal any unusual or abnormal swings in the radon level during the test period. Continuous radon monitors are the only type that Radon Diagnostic Services uses. A qualified tester can explain this report to you. In addition, some of these devices are specifically designed to deter and detect test interference. Some technically advanced active devices offer anti-interference features. Although these tests may cost more, they may ensure a more reliable result.
Q) Are there other symptoms or health problems, other than lung cancer that are associated with radon gas exposure?
A) THER ARE NO SHORT-TERM RADON EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS that have ever been documented. At least not at the levels you are likely to see in a home, school, or office. Also, YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY OTHER bodily symptoms such as joint pain, stomach or intestinal problems, headaches, or rashes from short-term radon exposure at natural environmental levels.It will take years of exposure at relatively high levels before you are likely to have ANY symptoms and then the only known (documented) symptoms are the same as those listed here for smoking induced Lung Cancer Symptoms.
Q) How long does a test take?
A) The quickest way is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home from 2 to 90 days depending on the device. Radon Diagnostic Services uses only Continuous Radon Monitors that obtain results in 48 hours.Q) What should I do if the radon level is high?
A) High radon levels can be reduced through mitigation. EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home's indoor radon levels if your radon test result is 4 pCi/L or higher. It is better to correct a radon problem before placing your home on the market because then you have more time to address a radon problem.If elevated levels are found during the real estate transaction, the buyer and seller should discuss the timing and costs of the radon reduction. The cost of making repoaris to reduce radon levels depends on how your home was built and other factors. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs, like painting or having a new hot water heater installed. The average cost for a contractor to lower radon levels in a home can range from $700 to about $1000 in Missouri. There are advantages to mitigation system too. For more information on mitigation click here.
