Radon Testing
According to the EPA, radon kills over 20,000 people in the U.S. every year. Protect your family and your health with a professional radon test.
What May be Lurking Under Your Home?
Radon is a naturally occuring gas that cannot be touched, smelled, tasted, or seen. Radon is everywhere and cannot be avoided, We breathe radon even while we are outside. The gas comes from decaying products of rocks in soil and water that release small amounts of radiation into the air. These radioactive particles can make their way through any small gap or crack in foundations or slabs. It is not true that only basement or crawlspace houses may have high radon levels. Sump and ejector pump pits, in-slab ductwork, and even well water are other sources of radon. When we breathe these radioactive particles, it damages our lung tissue. While radon levels vary between areas, all homes should be tested and the only way to know if your home has high levels is to test.
THE SILENT KILLER
The EPA has identified Radon to be a carcinogen and has linked it to lung disease. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, next to smoking. If the level of Radon in the air inside your home is greater than 4.0 pCi/L, you should take action immediately. The indoor levels of Radon concentration can be unpredictable based on the construction of the home.
What do the Test Results Mean?
Currently, the average indoor level of Radon as tested by measurement professionals in Illinois is around 4.4 pCi/L. The outside air is about 0.4 pCi/L. The EPA believes that any Radon exposure carries some risk, but a proper mitigation system can reduce it to a level of lower than 2.0 pCi/L. A person can lower their risk of lung cancer by keeping their Radon concentration levels down. If your test results were below 4 pCi/L, it is still recommended to re-test for a minimum of 48 hours at least every 2 years, especially after making a change such as remodeling an unfinished basement, or moving someone to live downstairs.
