Testing

Testing for Radon

Testing for Radon is the only way to know if levels are high inside your residence. The EPA encourages all homeowners to test their residences for radon gas concentrations. The National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University has radon test kits available for purchase by homeowners for personal use. 

Average outdoor radon levels are 0.4 pCi/L, while the average indoor levels are shown to be 1.3 pCi/L.  So what is a pCi/L(picocurrie)?  A pCi is a measure of the rate of radioactive decay of radon. One pCi is one trillionth of a Curie, 0.037 disintegrations per second, or 2.22 disintegrations per minute. Therefore, at 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter, the EPA's recommended action level), there will be approximately 12,672 radioactive disintegrations in one liter of air during a 24-hour period.

What is the "acceptable" level of radon in air?  The EPA states that any radon exposure carries some risk; no level of radon exposure is always safe. However, the EPA recommends homes be fixed if an occupant's long-term exposure will average 4 pCi/L)or higher.

Continuous radon monitors can provide a report giving detailed information showing when radon is peaking inside your residence.  Most home inspectors and radon professionals use continuous radon monitors to help with testing.  At home test kits can be purchased at stores like Home Depot or online. 

According to the Kansas Radon Program, one in four homes have elevated levels. Do you have elevated levels?  The only way to know is to test.  

Any reputable radon professional such as myself knows where testing should be completed inside homes and what the results mean.  Please contact me if you would like to schedule testing in your home.