After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection estimates that 40% of PA homes have radon levels above the EPA recommended level. According to one chart, all counties in Northeast Pennsylvania are in the highest potential zone for radon exposure.
This guide will illustrate the importance of radon inspections so you can decide whether or not one is right for you.
Radon Overview: Why Should I Be Worried?
Radon is a silent gas that is found in all soil and rocks. The end product of radioactive decay, radon can destroy lung tissue when inhaled in large quantities.
Unfortunately, radon is ever-present around us, rising from the ground through cracks in your home’s foundation and entering homes where it becomes concentrated in high quantities. Due to its unstable nature, radon can differ in quantity among homes on the same street block or neighborhood.
What Is a Radon Test?
Radon testing determines the level of radon gas in your home by the amount of picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Essentially, anything above 4 pCi/L is considered dangerous.
Radon testing can either be administered by a professional certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) and the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) or with an at-home kit that your state agency can provide.
There are generally two types of radon tests that can be administered for short-term or long-term readings:
- Passive Testing: A charcoal canister is sent to a lab to determine the amount of radon exposure.
- Active Testing: An electronic device collects radon readings over a long period of time (90 days or more) to determine the amount of exposure.
For more radon inspections, a passive or short-term test will suffice. However, if there are found to be unsafe levels of radon in the home, an active test may be employed for further observation.
Is Radon Testing Included in My Home Inspection?
No, radon testing is not included in your home inspection, which is why it’s so important that homeowners looking to buy or sell a home should get a proper radon test.
Importance of Radon Testing
As we explained, radon exposure can lead to several health complications, including lung cancer. Since radon levels tend to fluctuate the EPA even recommends getting tested every two to three years. Furthermore, they recommend all homes below three stories get tested as radon levels tend to be highest on the lowest levels of a home.
Should I Trust DIY Radon Testing Kits?
While DIY kits are accurate, there are many reasons to trust a professional with your radon inspection.
First, like any test, results can be manipulated or obfuscated if the test collector does not follow the right procedures. This may result in an inaccurate number, putting your health at risk.
A professional radon inspection will be able to provide the most accurate results, even with a short-term test that can either spot or rule out the presence of high concentrations of radon.
For trusted radon inspections in Northeast Pennsylvania, turn no further than the experts at Mountain to Valley Home Inspections–a certified radon inspector with decades of experience.
FAQs
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, making it undetectable without specialized testing. Radon can enter homes through cracks and gaps in the foundation and accumulate to dangerous levels.
Why is radon dangerous?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually. When inhaled, radon gas releases radioactive particles that can damage lung tissue over time, increasing the risk of lung cancer. The risk is especially high for smokers exposed to elevated radon levels.
How does radon enter my home?
Radon enters homes through cracks and openings in the foundation, walls, floors, and around pipes. It can also be released from well water. Because it comes from the ground, radon is often found in higher concentrations in basements or lower levels of a home, but it can be present at any level.