Why Worry About Radon?
Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas that could be inside of your home. The toxic gas is made from decomposed uranium and rises from the ground into the air, entering the home through various cracks in the foundation. More than 20,000 people die each year from radon exposure, according to the EPA, and it is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Professional radon testing determines if the radon levels in your home are at dangerous levels so you can reduce potential health risks to your family. It is a good idea to perform radon testing before you buy or sell a home as well as at various intervals during the property’s lifetime.
Radon Testing: What are the Options?
At-home testing kits are sold at many home improvement stores, though their accuracy cannot always be counted on. The at-home testing kits are known as passive kits since they’re affordable but take more time to get results and are sometimes inaccurate. The EPA recommends that a professional come into the home to perform the radon test. Professional radon testing ensures accurate, trusted results that come back from the lab in a shorter time frame so you’re not waiting around for answers. The test measures the pCi/L, or picocuries per liter, of radon in the air. If the measurement reads at or above 4.0 pCi/L after laboratory testing, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends immediate mitigation of the building.
What to do About High Levels of Radon
Fortunately, unsafe levels of radon can be remedied by a professional radon mitigation company. The cost of these services is dependent on a variety of factors including the size of the home and the levels of radon, but it is well worth it so that you will be able to live in your house safely or sell it in the future. Once you have your home mitigated for radon it is important to have it tested for radon periodically to make sure that the levels stay safe over time.
Homeworx Services Inc. is certified by the National Radon Board to conduct professional radon testing. If you would like to schedule radon testing or any of our home inspection services in Northern Virginia, contact us today.