RADON TESTING
RADON OVERVIEW
WHY DO YOU NEED TO TEST FOR RADON?
RADON MYTHS
EPA MAP OF HOT RADON ZONES

RADON TESTING - Save $100 by having the Radon Screening performed with your Home Inspection

The following information has been extracted directly from the EPA's pamphlet titled "Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon". The complete 32-page pamphlet is available for free by calling the EPA Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

EPA Recommends...

• If you are planning on buying a home or selling your home, have it tested for radon.
• For new homes, ask if radon-resistant construction features have been used.
• Fix the home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.
• Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced.
• Take steps to prevent interference when conducting a radon test.

RADON OVERVIEW

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas

You cannot see radon. And you cannot smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home. That is because when you breath air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

You should test for radon

Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon levels. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon.

You can fix a radon problem

If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

If you are selling a home...

EPA recommends that you test your home before putting it on the market and, if necessary, lower the radon levels. Save the test results and all information you have about steps that were taken to fix any problems. This could be a positive selling point.

If you are buying a home...

EPA recommends that you obtain the indoor radon level in a home you are considering buying. Ask the seller for radon test results. If the home has a radon reduction system, ask the seller for information about the system.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO TEST FOR RADON?

Radon Has Been Found In Homes All Over the U.S.

Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the U.S. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil, rock, and water and gets into the air you breath. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home can trap radon inside. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water.

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Elevated radon gas has been found in homes in every state.

Why You Cannot Estimate Radon Levels Based on State, Local and Neighborhood Radon Measurements

Do not rely on radon test taken in other homes in the neighborhood to estimate the radon level in your home. Homes which are next to each other can have different indoor radon levels. While radon problems may be more common in some areas in the local community or state, any home may have a problem. Testing your home is the only way to find out what your radon levels are.

EPA and the Surgeon General Recommend That You Test Your Home

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon.

EPA Map of Hot Radon Zones

NEW YORK The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey have evaluated the radon potential in the U.S. and have developed this map is to assist National, State, and local organizations to target their resources and to assist building code officials in deciding whether radon-resistant features are applicable in new construction. This map is not intended to be used to determine if a home in a given zone should be tested for radon. Homes with elevated levels of radon have been found in all three zones. All homes should be tested regardless of geographic location. The map assigns each of the 3,141 counties in the U.S. to one of three zones based on radon potential. Each zone designation reflects the average short-term radon measurement that can be expected to be measured in a building without the implementation of radon control methods. The radon zone designation of the highest priority is Zone 1. Zone 1 Highest Potential (greater than 4 pCi/L) Zone 2 Moderate Potential (from 2 to 4 pCi/L) Zone 3 Low Potential (less than 2 pCi/L)

RADON MYTHS

MYTH #1: Scientist are not sure that radon really is a problem.

FACT: The EPA as well as the Radon Safety Board estimates RADON caused 22,000 deaths last year alone.  In most circumstances, high RADON levels can easily be reduced to acceptable levels by mitigation.  This is a very inexpensive process and easy to do by mitigation experts.  M & M can do the official testing but we do not handle mitigation and we have no financial interest in any company that does.

MYTH #2: Radon only affects certain types of homes.

FACT: Radon can be a problem in all types of homes such as old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements and homes without basements. Construction materials and the way the home has been built may also affect radon levels.

MYTH #3: Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country.

FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know the home's radon level is to test.

MYTH #4: A neighbor's test result is a good indication of whether your home has a radon problem.

FACT: It is not. Radon levels vary from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it.

MYTH #5: I have lived in my home for so long, it does not make sense to take action now.

FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you have lived with a radon problem for a long time.

Have M & M Home Inspectors perform your Radon Screening today!

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