Radon Gas Information

The EPA has produced a brochure about radon that we have excerpted here for faster reading. The whole brochure can be read at the link below.

This gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock (like granite) and water. It is "off-gassed" into the air. Ventilation is the easiest form of reduction.

Should I check my home or the home I am buying? Sure, why not. The tests are inexpensive, and mitigation is easy if you find a higher than acceptable level. You can use this map to see if you are in an "active area".

Should I buy a house with evidence of this gas? If you are comfortable with the level, and/or how it is treated, sure. But, treat the results like any other part of your inspection. For example, if you have termites that can be treated, will you still buy the house? A new roof will cost you more to replace than most remedies.

Short-term tests which remain in your home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device, are give the quickest results. "Charcoal canisters," "alpha track," "electret ion chamber," "continuous monitors," and "charcoal liquid scintillation" detectors are most commonly used for short-term data. Short-term tests are more often used to find out what the level of radon is at a given time, and less useful in determning year-round average radon level. If you need results quickly, two short term tests in a relatively short time span (a week apart) will give good information. Testing once is the most common practice, except in areas already known for radon.

Long term research methods take an average of 3 months, and will give a better understanding of the year-round average level of saturation.

The "acceptable" measureable level is below 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter of air). Just read the report that the test company gives you to see what the level is in your property.

You can use this map to see if you are in a "active area".

Other government facts:
• Smoking increases the problems caused.
• About 0.4 pCi/L is normally found in the outside air.
• Sometimes radon is found in water from a well, but this is not considered to be a hazzard.

Here is the EPA's full Radon brochure.

Other states with new laws and/or regulations about this gas: New York, New Jersey