Radon Testing Introduction
Testing for Radon
The test includes the placement of two E-perm devices, retrieval,
and analysis. The report is available at the end of the screening test. Lewis Home
Inspection Inc. is one a select few home inspection companies in the state certified
as a testing facility. This allows us the capability to turn around test results
quicker with better quality control.
Credentials
LHI Analyticalis certified as a licensed Radon measurement
firm, the highest level of certification. All testing is done by licensed radon
technicians.
What is Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that
comes from deposits of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is harmlessly dispersed
in outdoor air, but when trapped in buildings, can be harmful, especially at elevated
levels. Radon is a radioactive decay product of radium, which is itself a decay
product of uranium. Uranium and radium are both common elements in soil.
Can My House be
Fixed if it has Elevated Radon Levels
A variety of methods can be used to reduce radon in homes. Sealing
cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to
radon reduction; however, sealing by itself may not be sufficient to reduce radon
levels consistently. In other instances, depressurization systems employing pipe
vents (natural-draft and/or fans) may be applied. Other options may be available
base on your home's construction and level of reduction required.
How is Radon Measured
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), a
measurement of radioactivity. The U.S. EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommend that homes with radon levels 4.0 pCi/L, or greater, be fixed.
What are the Health
Effects of Radon
Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer
in the U.S. Radon can be inhaled into the lungs, where it undergoes radioactive
decay. As it decays, radon releases tiny bursts of energy called alpha particles,
which can harm sensitive lung tissue by damaging the DNA. This damaged DNA can lead
to lung cancer.
Is There Proof that Radon is a
Serious Health Problem
The science on radon has been formidable over the years, but
never before has been such overwhelming scientific consensus that exposure to elevated
levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans. In February of 1998, the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS) presented the findings of their Biological Effects of
Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VI Report: "The Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Radon."
This new report by NAS is the most definitive accumulation of scientific data on
indoor radon. The report confirms that radon is the second leading cause of lung
cancer in the U.S. and that it is a serious public health problem. The study fully
supports the U.S. EPA estimates stating that radon causes between 15,000 and 22,000
lung cancer deaths per year.
Additional Information on Radon
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