by George Schambach | Sep 20, 2022
Radon gas is odorless, colorless, and toxic to human health. It is a concerning threat to indoor air quality, making its way into the home from the soil through foundational cracks and crevices. It is crucial for homeowners to be aware of risks and mitigation strategies to ensure their health is never in danger in their homes.
At Professional Home Inspection Services, we prioritize the safety and well-being of all our customers, working to inform and reduce risk as much as possible. The following is a short analysis of the dangers of radon gas, how it might show up in the home, and what the average homeowner can do about it.
DANGERS OF RADON
While it is present in small amounts in the air we breathe, radon gas becomes toxic in higher concentrations. When the gas accumulates and becomes trapped indoors, levels rise, and the gas becomes toxic. Radon gas is mainly responsible for causing lung cancer over time and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Because it is undetectable, radon gas testing is paramount for home health measures.
TESTING FOR RADON
AIR
Testing for radon gas is a necessary and crucial measure to take for the well being of your family and pets at home. Radon testing is primarily done via the air in the state of New York, as the threat of radon presence in water is low.
The following are the two types of radon tests that we conduct:
SHORT-TERM
Short-term radon gas tests refer to any test taken over the span of 90 days or less and are commonly conducted for real estate purposes. On average, these tests take about two days, offering a general breakdown of the amount of radon present in the home or building.
This process captures airborne radon particles via the use of charcoal canisters and liquid scintillation vials. The radon particles are then analyzed in a lab to determine the number of radon picocuries per liter of air When using canisters the report can take up to 7 days to receive the results.
We use the state of the art radon monitoring system, RadStar, to continuously track and report data as soon as the radon test is completed in the home. This detailed report provides a breakdown of how the home is performing on a easy to read graph and by hourly printout for the entire time RadStar is monitoring at the site.
LONG-TERM
Long-term radon testing provides a more in depth understanding of the home’s radon presence as well as its seasonal fluctuations. Homeowners should opt for this testing process to gain a better understanding of the long-term radon exposure they have been living with.
This process involves leaving the test out for a year to expose it to every season and home condition, such as the difference between windows being open in the summer versus being closed in the winter.
THE PHIS DIFFERENCE
At Professional Home Inspection Services, quality and safety are our highest priorities. We are certified to conduct radon testing and mitigation by the NRPP and NYS Department Health. All members of our team are trained and supervised, adhering always to the strictest level of care. From small residential jobs to major commercial jobs alike, client care is our primary concern. As the colder months approach, testing is more important than ever as radon levels can tend to be at their highest concentrations.
Click here for more information on our testing process steps. Call today for more information on getting your home tested.