Frequent Questions
Check our the most commonly asked questions we receive about radon testing and mitigation:
> Frequent questions about radon
> Frequent questions about radon testing
> Frequent questions about radon mitigation
> Frequent questions about new construction
> What is radon? Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible soil gas that has been linked to lung cancer. An estimated 36,000 people die each year from radon-induced lung cancer. Both the US EPA and Surgeon General recommend all homes be tested. (back to top)
> How does radon get into my home? Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. (back to top)
> What is the average radon level found in homes? Based on a national residential radon survey completed in 1991, the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) in the United States. The average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L. (back to top)
> What is a pico Curie per liter of air (pCi/L)? A picocurie represents radon measurement units. By definition, one picocurie is 2.22 disintegrations per minute within a liter of air. (back to top)
> How do we know radon is a carcinogen? The World Health Organization (WHO), the National Academy of Sciences, the US Department of Health and Human Services, as well as EPA, have classified radon as a known human carcinogen, because of the wealth of biological and epidemiological evidence and data showing the connection between exposure to radon and lung cancer in humans.
There have been many studies conducted by many different organizations in many nations around the world to examine the relationship of radon exposure and human lung cancer. The largest and most recent of these was an international study, led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which examined the data on 68,000 underground miners who were exposed to a wide range of radon levels. The studies of miners are very useful because the subjects are humans, not rats, as in many cancer research studies. These miners are dying of lung cancer at 5 times the rate expected for the general population. Over many years scientists around the world have conducted exhaustive research to verify the cause-effect relationship between radon exposure and the observed increased lung cancer deaths in these miners and to eliminate other possible causes.
In addition, there is an overlap between radon exposures received by miners who got lung cancer and the exposures people would receive over their lifetime in a home at EPA's action level of 4 pCi/L (pico Curries per Liter), i.e., the lung cancer risk in miners has been documented at exposure levels comparable to those which occur in homes/residences. (back to top)
> Who can fix or test my home for radon? If you require testing or mitigation, be sure to choose a certified and licensed (if applicable) company. Certified companies may be found through NAHA (radongas.org) and you may contact your state licensing department to obtain a list of licensed contractors in your state. Protect is nationally certified and state-licensed, where applicable. (back to top)
> Why is Protect’s radon test better than a test I can buy cheaper at my local hardware store? Protect uses sate-of-the-art active (powered) monitoring equipment for its testing. The devices used provide hourly testing and take into consideration temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and tamper readings to provide the most accurate results. Protect employees are specially trained to conduct radon testing.
Passive devices (non-powered) may be purchased at your local hardware store. These devices do not provide for hourly readings and do not take into consideration temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure and tamper readings. All of these items can affect the results of your test. So, the question becomes is it worth saving a few dollars for such an important test? (back to top)
> I did my own test...are the results accurate? Radon levels can change by natural forces in the environment, such as high winds or abrupt changes in barometric pressure. Because laboratory analysis and radon reports are based on radon concentrations which existed only at the time of the radon monitoring, decisions relative to additional testing and/or mitigation should take these factors into consideration. (back to top)
> What do my test results mean? The EPA action level is 4pCi/l. This does not mean that 3.9 pCi/l is safe. In fact, no amount of radioactivity is without risk. If your radon level is 4 pCi/l or greater and depending on the type of test you took, you should either test again or mitigate the home. If a passive test was used during a real estate transaction, then you must take the average of two passive tests conducted simultaneously in one location. If a continuous radon monitor is used for the radon test and the test result is above 4 pCi/l, it is recommended that the home/building be mitigated. (back to top)
> My home has been closed...does this make my test results higher? No. To assume this, then you would also have to believe that a house has no air exchange. In reality, the average home leaks about one air change per hour. One air change per hour means that all the air in the house is exchanged every hour. As long as the US EPA measurement protocols are followed, the radon measurement will not be influenced by a house that has been closed up for an extended period. (back to top)
> We don’t have a basement...do we still need to test? Yes. Radon can move through a concrete slab, through block, concrete walls, or any other building material in your home. If you have a radon source under the slab, you could have an elevated radon level in the home. (back to top)
> How much does it cost to have my home tested? The cost to have your home tested depends on the type of testing conducted. Check out our Testing Prices section for more information. (back to top)
> What about radon testing in schools and commercial buildings? Radon testing should occur in schools and commercial builds as suggested by US EPA protocols and additional state guidelines, if applicable. Since a significant amount of time is spent in schools and at work, testing should be an important part of your school or company indoor air quality policy. (back to top)
> Does a conflict exist when using the same testing and mitigation company? No. So long as the company is certified and licensed (as applicable) to perform both testing and mitigation, a conflict does not exist. Saying a conflict exists in this situation is similar to saying your doctor should not correct medical issues that he or she has diagnosed. (back to top)
> What is the most commonly used mitigation technique? Sub-slab depressurization is the most common and most reliable radon reduction method. This method prevents radon from entering your home by drawing radon from beneath the house and venting it with a fan to the outside where it is diluted. Should multiple foundations exist, all areas in contact with the soil should be treated. (back to top)
> Will sealing my basement cracks reduce radon? No. Sealing of wall and floor cracks is never a stand alone radon technique. Radon is a gas; therefore, as a gas, it can move through a concrete slab. Sealing does make a radon mitigation system work better. The results of sealing will be less air being drawn into the system which will result in a quieter and less expensive system to operate. (back to top)
> How long does it take to install a mitigation system? Most radon mitigation systems can be installed in 2 to 5 hours, depending on the complexity of the system. Protect employees have been specially trained to conduct mitigation installations that meet US EPA protocols. In addition, Protect uses licensed electricians to install its wiring so local electrical codes are met. (back to top)
> Will my mitigation system provide additional health benefits? Yes. You’ll most likely notice your air feels ‘cleaner’, musty smells are eliminated and your de-humidifier runs less. These are all secondary benefits of our systems. (back to top)
> If we use our crawlspace for storage, can we still use it after installing a mitigation system? Yes. However, after mitigation, try to keep all storage at least one foot from exterior walls. This will keep you from pulling the plastic off the wall. Should the plastic ever be ripped or holes developed, simply duct tape over the damaged areas. This will reduce the amount of air being drawn into the system in general. It is highly recommended that a pad, such as cardboard, old carpets, etc., be placed at the crawl entrance where most damage is likely to occur. (back to top)
> What is the average cost to have a mitigation system installed? The average cost to install a mitigation system varies, depending on the unique characteristics of your home. Check out our Mitigation Pricing section to learn more. (back to top)
> How do I know if my mitigation system is working properly? Similar to any home component, your mitigation system will require occasional maintenance. You should check your system monitor each month to ensure the system is functioning correctly. As part of its limited lifetime performance warranty, protect conducts an annual service call and long-term testing on your mitigation system. (back to top)
> What about radon mitigation is schools and commercial buildings? If elevated levels of radon are found in schools or commercial buildings, mitigate! Just as in a residential home, mitigation techniques can be utilized to reduce elevated radon levels in schools and commercial buildings. (back to top)
> I just built a new home...can I have a radon problem? Yes. If your new home sets on dirt, then you can have a radon problem. Since installing a mitigation system is easier and less expensive at the time of construction, insist that your builder use RRNC techniques! (back to top)
> Should I test the soil for radon before building the home? Soil testing for radon is not recommended for determining whether a house should be built radon-resistant. Although soil testing can be done, it cannot rule out the possibility that radon could be a problem in the house you build on a lot. Even if soil testing reveals low levels of radon gas in the soil, the amount of radon that may enter the finished house cannot be accurately predicted because one cannot predict the impact that the site preparation will have on introducing new radon pathways or the extent to which a vacuum will be produced by the house. Furthermore, the cost of a single soil test for radon ranges from $70 to $150, and at least 4 to 8 tests could be required to accurately characterize the radon in the soil at a single building site. Therefore, the cost to perform the soil testing is very high when compared with installing the passive radon system. (back to top)
> Should I request my new home be built using radon resistant techniques? Absolutely! Installing a passive system as part of the building process is much easier and less expensive than retrofitting an existing home. In addition, when a passive system is made active, you receive the secondary benefits of your mitigation system. Ask you builder before buying your home to guarantee RRNC techniques will be utilized on your new home. (back to top)
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