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radon testing

Long-Term Radon Testing: Why Is It Important?

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It’s almost the end of the year, but still, some people are unfamiliar with what radon can bring to one’s health. To simplify everything, radon is an invisible, tasteless, and odorless gas that can cause lung cancer. The only way to find out if it exists in your home is through radon testing. You might have heard of short-term radon testing, but it is highly recommended to do long-term radon testing as well.

Short-Term vs. Long Term-Radon Testing

You’ll never know if your home is safe from radon unless you conduct a radon test. It is suggested that every homeowner consider it since there are areas in the United States with high radon levels. Even if you hire a licensed radon contractor, they recommend doing the radon testing first.

You can do the radon testing yourself, but if you have never tried it before and you want the results to be more accurate, it would be best to hire a radon professional from your state. Besides, it is ideal for engaging in a real estate transaction. With the radon test results, you can decide whether you want to install a radon mitigation system or not.

But what is the difference between short-term and long-term radon testing?

A short-term radon test allows you to measure radon levels for 2-7 days. It is a faster way to screen your home for radon. With this test, you can identify the existence of the cancer-causing gas, but deciding to install a radon mitigation system based only on short-term tests is not advised since radon fluctuates. A radon mitigation system is only recommended if you have consistent radon levels in your home.

On the other hand, a long-term test allows you to measure radon levels for a minimum of 90 days. Radon contractors recommend this because they can give you an estimate of your home’s annual average of radon. Long-term testing should include both heating and non-heating seasons when doing this test.

Guidelines for Radon Testing

Suppose you are doing the radon test; here are some guidelines that can help you:

  • Always read the instructions that come along with your radon test kits. Make sure to fill out the information needed.
  • You can do a short-term test any time of the year, but it would be best to do it during the heating season. You have to do them both in heating and non-heating seasons for long-term tests.
  • Several factors, such as weather, can affect radon levels in the home. Make sure the weather is fine when doing the radon test.
  • It is advised to do the radon test in the lowest level of your home, such as the basement. Make sure to place the test kit at least 20 inches above the floor. Keep it away from high humidity areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. 

Radon is a dangerous gas, yet some people neglect it. If you want to be safe from its adverse effects, conducting short-term and long-term radon testing is crucial. With radon test, you can tell if your home has consistently high radon levels, helping you decide whether to install a radon mitigation system or not.

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Everything You Need to Know About Radon 222

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Radon causes thousands to millions of deaths. That’s why people should know how to mitigate it. But before you learn some mitigation techniques, it is vital to understand what radon is, how it can enter your home, and what effects it brings to your body. When you read articles about this radioactive gas, you might come across the term radon 222. What is it? Is it the same with radon? Find out all the answers here.

Radon 222: What is It?

Radon, radon 222, or Rn-222 refer to the same thing. Whether you prefer to call it radon 222 or radon, they refer to the colorless and odorless gas produced during the decay of radium-226. It is also a decay product of uranium-238. Since it is made naturally, expect to find it anywhere, especially in soil and water.

Radon 222 has a short half-life which is approximately 3.8 days. It decays into a series of solid particulate products. These products are also known as radon progeny or radon daughters, which have shorter half-lives (∼30 min or less). Although other radon isotopes occur naturally, their health significance is minimal compared to radon 222. This is because of the differences in half-life and dosimetry.

How Does Radon 222 Enter Your Home?

Since radon is a gas, it can quickly enter your home through the building’s cracks and openings. Know that its primary source is the soil and rock beneath a building, from which the gas penetrates indoors. That’s why installing a radon mitigation system is highly recommended, especially in the basement, to reduce radon. But this is preferred if your home is tested for radon and the result shows a consistent high radon level.

Aside from soil, other sources of radon include drain and utility access areas. Not only that, but radon can also come from groundwater, especially in areas with high soil radium content. Since radon comes in many places, you’ll never know if you are exposed to high radon levels unless you conduct radon testing. 

If you are living in European countries, radon concentrations range from ∼30 to 140 Bq m−3. Meanwhile, in Russia, radon levels could vary between 19 and 230 Bq m−3. If you are living in the United States, average levels are around 50 Bq m−3. 

Radon Mitigation

If you suspect that your home has high radon levels, you can confirm it through radon testing. There are two types of radon testing, short-term and long-term. Short-term radon testing is preferred if you want to identify whether radon 222 is present in your home or not. But if you want to know if the radon level is consistently high, long-term testing is recommended.

In the United States, the highest acceptable level of residential radon is 150 Bq m−. The US EPA has set this. However, 5–10% of homes in the United States exceed this benchmark. If your home has high radon levels, it would be best to contact a radon contractor to mitigate the gas right away.

Exposing yourself to radon will not harm you right away; it is still best to prevent any short-term and long-term effects. Besides, if you haven’t tested your home for radon yet, you’ll never know if you are already exposed to radon 222 for a long time. So make sure to consider radon testing and do the proper mitigation techniques to lower your risks of lung cancer.

Do Ceiling Fans Reduce Radon?

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Radon mitigation is the process of reducing radon in your home. It is highly recommended to mitigate the said gas because radon exposure can increase your risk of lung cancer. There are several ways to reduce radon, such as using DIY techniques and hiring a licensed radon contractor to install a radon mitigation system in your house. But since hiring a radon contractor could be pretty expensive for those on a tight budget, some prefer adding ceiling fans. The question is, do ceiling fans reduce radon?

Radon Mitigation: Do Ceiling Fans Reduce Radon?

Probably some of you wonder how ceiling fans work. Using fans can be referred to as forced ventilation. If you use big fans, you can replace the radon-laden indoor air with outdoor air. Not only that, but it can also neutralize pressure and maintain the desired air exchange rate independent of weather conditions.

How much does forced ventilation cost?

The cost of using fans for radon mitigation depends on several factors. Some of the factors that can affect the price include elaborate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. If you use any of these, the cost can range from $25 to $1,000.  It is essential to understand that the additional cost of electricity for forced-air systems may vary depending on the following:

  • size of the fans
  • number of fans used
  • amount of use

Take note that using fans throughout cold weather will significantly increase your heating costs. Therefore, your annual house heating bill could grow three times greater than normal. Suppose you have an air conditioner running in hot weather; your cooling costs will be higher.

Who should use fans for radon mitigation?

It would be best for those living in “tight” houses (homes with low air exchange rates) to use fans because they will benefit more from ventilation. For a typical house, you might need a 500 to 1,000 cfm (cubic feet per minute) fan to achieve a 90-percent reduction of radon. Like natural ventilation, using fans can be employed in most houses. However, the trade-off in decreased comfort and excessive heating and cooling costs may prove unacceptable.

As mentioned earlier, you have different options for radon mitigation. But it is essential to identify the pros and cons of each method before you choose one. Remember, there could be some cheaper options for radon reduction techniques, but they might not be ideal for your home. So if you want to ensure that our home is radon-free, ask for some advice from a professional radon contractor to know which method is best for your home. Do ceiling fans reduce radon? Yes, it can help in radon mitigation. But is it ideal for your home? If yes, then you may consider adding fans to your home.

Radon Exposure: What You Need to Know

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Radon is a cancer-causing gas that you cannot see or touch. Although radon exposure doesn’t kill you right away, it is still essential to avoid contact with it. Long-term radon exposure can increase your risk of lung cancer. Since this radioactive gas is invisible, you’ll never know if you are breathing it or not. In this article, learn what you need to do once exposed to radon and what you can do to avoid it.

The Significance of Radon Testing

Many homeowners ask, “What should I do if I am exposed to radon?” Before you know what to do, it is crucial to identify first if you got radon exposure. The only way to do it is through radon testing. There are two types of radon testing, short-term and long-term radon testing. Short-term testing is enough to check if radon is present in your home.

Since radon fluctuates, it’s challenging to assess whether radon in your house is harmful since the level can be low or high. On the other hand, long-term radon testing is advisable if you want to reduce the radon levels in your home. Once you conduct long-term radon testing and find consistent high radon levels, you need to call licensed radon contractors to install radon mitigation in your home.

Radon Exposure: What to Do?

Once you test your home for radon and find out that there are high radon levels, it would be best to inform your family physician of the radon exposure. The physician might recommend a chest x-ray asking you to screen yourself for lung cancer or other medical reasons. Worry not because it is an appropriate medical screening. Doing so can help the doctor assess whether you still have healthy lungs or damaged by certain factors like radon.

Remember that both smokers and non-smokers are prone to cancer. However, getting lung cancer is higher for those who smoke, especially when exposed to radon. If you are a smoker, it would be healthier to stop this vice soon, particularly if you are getting radon exposure. Ensure to contact your physician for your health concerns and a licensed radon contractor in your state for radon mitigation.

How to Avoid Radon Exposure

After testing your home for radon, your contractor might install a radon mitigation system, depending on the radon levels. You can also do the following to help prevent radon from entering your home:

Stop smoking in your home.

As stated earlier, the risk of lung cancer is higher for those who smoke. If you want to avoid the deadly disease, it would be best to stop smoking and discourage doing it to all your family members.

Open the windows and use fans and vents to increase airflow.

Natural ventilation can improve the ventilation in your home and increase the airflow inside. But remember, it is only a temporary strategy. It is still recommended to ask for your contractor’s advice.

Hire qualified contractors in your state.

Not all radon contractors have a license to perform radon mitigation systems. To ensure that you are hiring a licensed one, visit your state’s website on radon mitigation.

Lung cancer has been the cause of death for many people. The problem is, this disease is not only caused by smoking. According to the World Health Organization, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, so it would be best to avoid it by making your home radon-free.

The Importance of Long-Term Radon Testing

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According to the World Health Organization, radon is a major cause of lung cancer. This radioactive material is considered dangerous since it can increase the risks of people to the said deadly disease. Whether you are a smoker or not, you can have lung cancer once exposed to high radon levels. One step that you can take to avoid radon’s adverse effects is to conduct long-term radon testing.

What is Radon Testing?

Radon testing is the process that you can use to identify the radon level in your home. You may ask for professional assistance from licensed radon contractors to conduct radon testing in your properties. Another option is to buy DIY radon test kits and do the radon testing yourself. If you have never tried it before, it is ideal to call the experts.

There are two types of radon testing to choose from: short-term and long-term radon testing. Although both can help you detect whether the cancer-causing gas is present in your home, choosing the latter one is highly recommended. To understand better, here’s the difference between the two types of tests:

Short Term vs. Long-Term

Short-term radon testing allows you to measure radon levels for 2-7 days. It is the quickest way to screen your home for radon. According to professional radon contractors, it is best to start with a short-term radon test when detecting the radioactive material.

On the other hand, long-term radon testing allows you to measure radon levels for a minimum of 90 days. Unlike short-term radon tests, this process can estimate the annual average of radon in your home. Long-term testing is more ideal because it includes both heating and non-heating seasons.

Why Long-Term Radon Testing is A Must

Some homeowners overlook the significance of radon testing because, for them, it is not necessary. And if they will test their home for radon, they believe a short-term radon test is enough. But unfortunately, it is not. Not only that, but it requires additional costs.

Long-term radon testing is a must because this radioactive gas fluctuates. Meaning, radon levels can be low or high at certain times of the year. Although there is an acceptable radon level at home, you’ll never know if it is safe unless you monitor the levels yourself. As such, long-term radon testing is a must.

Unlike short-term radon tests, a long-term radon test can tell you anything about how much radon is present, considering the different times of the year. With this process, you can monitor which area of your house has high radon levels. The surprising benefit of long-term radon tests is you can avoid unnecessary expenses. But how?

Some homeowners consider radon mitigation techniques as soon as they discover that their home has high radon levels. This could be costly since that could be the season where the radon level is high. There are times when the radon level is low, which means you don’t have to conduct radon mitigation right away.

Should You Do Short-Term or Long-Term Radon Testing?

If you cannot decide between short-term and long-term tests, you may consider both. The first one can be used to identify whether the radioactive gas is present. Once you found out that radon is present in your home, it’s time to monitor the radon levels throughout the year. If the radon level becomes alarming and you think it poses health risks, contact the radon experts and ask for the ideal radon mitigation techniques.

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Can Radon Tests Be Wrong?

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Radon is one of the most hazardous naturally occurring gases, especially for nonsmokers in the United States and Canada. Since radon is odorless, colorless, and utterly invisible to the human eye, it is impossible to detect without the assistance of an expert known as the radon contractors. Aside from hiring radon experts, you may also use a radon testing kit. However, doing so raises the question of whether the radon tests’ findings can be trusted.

Radon Tests: Accurate or Not?

One of the most frequent questions, in particular, is if radon tests can be wrong. The answer is YES, as errors can occur with any form of test. Still, the chance of an erroneous radon level measurement varies depending on various circumstances present in the place where radon gas is available. 

Types of Radon Testing

Radon testing also has types, namely the short-term and long-term radon tests. Short and long-term tests both detect radon levels; however, the accuracy varies depending on the length of the test. A short-term test helps determine your present radon levels; however, these levels might change owing to a variety of causes, such as:

  • Barometric pressure
  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
  • House construction
  • Improper placement of the device
  • Rain-soaked ground
  • Temperature/Season

Short-term radon tests are sufficient for most homes, but a long-term radon test is more trustworthy if you are worried about accuracy. The issue with long-term testing is that the findings take over 90 days to come back. Another thing to keep in mind is that radon tests may be done with either radon test kits or by hiring a professional radon contractor. While test kits are not inherently incorrect, the findings provided by a competent radon contractor will always be the most accurate.

During a radon test, two main mistakes might occur:

False Positive

Your home may test higher than four pCi/L, although the long-term average is below it. This might lead to you purchasing a radon mitigation system that isn’t necessary; any amount of radon is harmful, and a radon mitigation system is rarely a waste of money, especially given the inexpensive installation cost. As a result, this is arguably the least hazardous error.

False Negative

This is a far more hazardous result that occurs when your house tests below the action threshold of 4 pCi/L but is greater on average. This may lead to you failing to install a radon mitigation system when one is required. This is why, if your radon levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L, the Environmental Protection Agency still highly advises you to install a radon mitigation system.

What is the Best Way to Do?

The terrible reality is that no system is flawless, and there is always space for error. With that stated, there are a few things you can do to ensure you obtain the most reliable results:

  • Work with a professional. If at all feasible, hire an experienced radon contractor. While test kits aren’t bad, expert testing is always more accurate, and they can adjust for any interference.
  • Consider long-term radon tests. A long-term test will provide you with a more realistic average radon level if you’re concerned about fluctuations. 
  • Test again. If you’re using a short-term test kit, repeat the procedure. This can be done at the same time as the initial test or shortly after that. Even if you decide to have a radon mitigation system built, it’s a good idea to double-check that it’s operating correctly.

Installing a radon mitigating system is highly recommended if you have any radon level above 2.0 pCi/L. However, any amount of radon is harmful; therefore, investing in a radon mitigation system is never a bad idea. Make sure to conduct radon tests or hire a radon contractor if you don’t want to risk your family’s health.

Things to Consider When Looking for A Radon Contractor

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Radon is everywhere, even in places where you don’t expect it to be. The worst thing is you can also find it at home, at the site where you think you are safe. Radon can also be found at school and in the workplace, that’s why you need to perform preventive measures to make your place radon-free. If you have tested your home, school, or office for radon and the result tells you that it is present, you need a radon contractor who can help you eliminate this cancer-causing gas.

What Does A Radon Contractor Do?

Radon is a harmful gas, but some people deal with it on their own because they find hiring a radon contractor expensive. There are DIY radon test kits that you can use to conduct radon testing. Not only that, but there are also ways on how you can eliminate the cancer-causing gas. However, if you are a beginner or someone who is not used to doing these things, it would be best to hire a radon contractor. But what does a radon contractor do?

Radon contractors are knowledgeable when it comes to radon. They have a thorough understanding of radon testing and the different ways on how to get rid of it. They are trained for radon mitigation, making every home, school, or work environment radon-free. They can also advise on how to decrease the radon levels in your place using different radon mitigation techniques. Radon contractors may do the following:

  • Travel to various residential/commercial sites where they can perform residential/commercial radon testing according to established methods
  • Conduct additional testing, including aquatic testing in homes with private water systems
  • Present and explain radon test results to homeowners and clients
  • Identify, recommend, and explain the possible mitigation methods, equipment, and installations
  • Estimate costs related to recommended installation and operation
  • Install equipment
  • Conducts follow-up testing after installation

What to Look for When Hiring A Radon Contractor

Are you considering hiring a radon contractor? Try to answer the following questions to know the factors you need to think about when hiring a radon specialist:

Are you hiring a licensed radon contractor?

Radon testing and radon mitigation are not easy tasks because they pose health risks. That’s why you need professionals to do them. Although there are no national licenses given to radon contractors, some states provide this to ensure clients that what they are hiring is knowledgeable and skillful. That’s why when hiring a radon contractor, ask if he has a license or ask the State Radon Office to find out if there is a State-specific radon contractor’s license. Hire someone certified either by the National Environmental Health Association’s Radon Proficiency Program or by the National Radon Safety Board’s Certification Program.

Is your licensed radon contractor insured?

As mentioned, dealing with radon is risky because it can cause cancer. It would be best to hire a radon professional with a contractor’s insurance certificate to ensure that the person has proper coverage. Don’t forget to check if the insurance is up to date.

Did the radon contractor give you a firm price?

You must agree to a firm price or written proposal before hiring a radon contractor. An ideal radon contractor provides a detailed scope of work and a contract before starting work. So make sure not to pay money upfront without a signed contract.

Is your radon contractor trustworthy?

If you are hiring a radon contractor from an agency, make sure to check their reviews if they have a website. You may also search for their past clients and ask the contractor’s cleanliness, quality, punctuality, and overall satisfaction.

Does the radon contractor guarantee your desired results?

An ideal and high-quality radon mitigation contractor should install the radon remediation system to ensure that radon levels will be lessened. If a contractor refuses to provide a performance warrant, that could indicate a lack of quality and inexperience.

Radon is a dangerous gas, and what makes it more harmful is you cannot see, smell, or touch it. Therefore, you need an expert when it comes to testing radon and getting rid of it. You may need a radon contractor who is trained to solve any radon problem. But you must be serious when hiring a radon specialist because it could be a life and death situation. Remember, high radon levels could lead to cancer and other respiratory diseases, that’s why to make sure to hire the best radon contractor.