CONTRACTORS
RADON
THE FACTS
Lung cancer kills thousands of Americans every year. Smoking, radon, and secondhand smoke are the leading causes of lung cancer. Although lung cancer can be treated, the survival rate is one of the lowest for those with cancer. From the time of diagnosis, between 11 and 15 percent of those afflicted will live beyond five years, depending upon demographic factors. In many cases lung cancer can be prevented.
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Smoking causes an estimated 160,000* cancer deaths in the U.S. every year (American Cancer Society, 2004). And the rate among women is rising. On January 11, 1964, Dr. Luther L. Terry, then U.S. Surgeon General, issued the first warning on the link between smoking and lung cancer. Lung cancer now surpasses breast cancer as the number one cause of death among women. A smoker who is also exposed to radon has a much higher risk of lung cancer.
HOW CAN I TEST FOR RADON?
Monitoring radon in your home is a crucial step in ensuring the health and safety of you and your loved ones.
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Radon Facts:
All homes have some level of Radon
Radon can increase the risk of lung cancer
Radon in homes can be reduced significantly
Ave Cost of Radon Testing $175 - $200
EPA Recommends testing annually (including homes with a radon system)
Radon levels change over time and due to changing weather.
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A RadonEye Pro Continuous Radon Monitor allows you to constantly stay on top of the amount of radon present in your home. Order one today and get 5% off with promo code PROSPEX-2020.
WHAT DO THE TEST RESULTS MEAN?
The U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more than outdoor levels. About 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. EPA recommends fixing your home if the results of one long term test, or the average of two short term tests, show radon levels of 4 pCi/L
or higher. With today’s technology, radon levels in most homes can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below.
A short-term test remains in your home for two to 90 days, whereas a long-term test remains in your home for more than 90 days. All radon tests should be taken for a minimum of 48 hours. A short-term test will yield faster results, but a long-term test will give you a better understanding of your home’s year-round average radon level.
EPA recommends two categories of radon testing. The first is for concerned homeowners or occupants whose home is not for sale, and the second is for real estate transactions. Refer to EPA’s pamphlets: “A Citizen’s Guide to Radon” and “Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon”for more information.
HOW DO I REDUCE RADON IN MY HOME?
EPA recommends that you have a qualified radon mitigation contractor fix your home because lowering high radon levels requires specific technical knowledge and special skills. Without the proper equipment or technical knowledge, you could actually increase your radon level or create other potential hazards and additional costs. However, if you decide to do the work yourself, get
information on appropriate training courses from your state radon office. EPA recommends that you use a certified or qualified radon mitigation
contractor trained to fix radon problems. You can determine a service provider’s qualifications to perform radon measurements or to mitigate your
home in several ways. First, check with your state radon office. Many states require radon professionals to be licensed, certified or registered, and to install radon mitigation systems that meet state requirements. Most states can provide you with a list of knowledgeable radon service providers doing business in the state.
In states that don’t regulate radon services, ask the contractor if they hold a professional proficiency or certification credential, and if they follow industry consensus standards, such as the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM, Standard Practice for Installing Radon Mitigation Systems in Existing Low-Rise Residential Buildings, E2121. You can contact private proficiency programs for lists of privately certified professionals in your area. Such programs usually provide members with a photo ID card, which indicates their qualifications and the ID card’s expiration date. For more information on private proficiency programs, visit www.epa.gov or contact your state radon office.
CLOSED HOME CONDITIONS
Important: Closed Home Conditions must be maintained for a minimum of 12 hours prior to the start of the testing period AND throughout the testing period.
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Close all exterior windows and doors and keep them closed (except for normal entry and exit) during the entire testing period. Heating and air-conditioning system fans that re-circulate air may be operated normally. DO NOT adjust during the testing period. DO NOT operate fans or other machines which bring in air from outside. Fans that are part of a radon-reduction system or small exhaust fans operating only for short periods of time may run during the test.
We will not conduct short-term tests lasting just 2 or 3 days during unusually severe storms or periods of unusually high winds.
The radon monitor will be placed in the lowest lived-in level of the home (for example, the basement if it is frequently used, otherwise the first floor). It will be placed in a room that is used regularly (like a living room, playroom, den or bedroom) but not your kitchen or bathroom. The monitor will be placed in a central location where it is least likely to be disturbed, away from drafts, high heat, high humidity, and exterior walls.
Please Note: If there are any animals at the property, they MUST be in a contained environment for pickup and placement. We are not responsible for any animals that may remove themselves from the home upon our entry or exit of the property. If we arrive on site and realize they are not contained, we WILL NOT be obligated to place or pick up the monitor. Additional fees will be charged for returning to the site. These fees must be paid prior to rescheduling for placement or pickup and/or release of the report.
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(the information provided here is taken from the EPA website)