- What is radon?
- Are there health effects associated with radon?
- How does radon get into a home?
- How do I test for radon during a real estate transaction?
- What’s considered a high test result?
- What types of radon test kits are there?
- How do I conduct the test?
- Can I tell if my home has a high level of radon without testing?
What is radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, invisible gas that comes from the decay of radium in the soil. Radium is a decay product of uranium. Uranium is present in almost all rocks and soil and material derived from rocks.
Are there health effects associated with radon?
Yes. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United States. When radon and its decay products are inhaled into your lungs they emit particles full of energy called alpha particles. When alpha particles are inhaled, the cells and their DNA in your lungs are damaged, increasing your risk of developing lung cancer.
How does radon get into a home?
Radon is a gas that can get into your house from the ground underneath it. It comes up through the soil and gets stuck under your home. Since the air pressure inside your house is usually lower than the pressure in the ground, it acts like a vacuum and pulls radon and other gases up through cracks and holes in the floors and walls. This causes the gas to become trapped. Common places where radon can enter are cracks in the floors and walls, gaps around pipes, and spaces under the house such as a basement or crawlspace. While radon problems may be more common in some geographic areas, any home may have an elevated radon level. New and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements can have a problem.
How do I test for radon during a real estate transaction?
The UGA Radon Program recommends hiring a certified radon tester to perform a test during a real estate transaction. These testers are trained to use equipment that is tamper-proof and can provide a radon result quickly within the due dilligence period. There are currently no laws mandating radon testing or certification for real estate transactions in Georgia.
Find certified testers in your area:
What’s considered a high test result?
Above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) is high. If your test result is over 4 pCI/L it is recommended that you test again with either a short-term (two to seven days) or long-term (three to12 months) device. If the second test result is over 4 pCi/L you should hire a professional to fix the problem.
What types of radon test kits are there?
Short term radon tests take two-90 days (depending on the test used) and are the best first step to take when testing your home for radon. They indicate the average level of radon in your home during the testing period.
Long-term radon tests are the most accurate, but take over 90 days to complete. Long-term tests are recommended as a follow-up when a short-term test kit indicates levels are close to or slightly above 4 pCi/L. Order a long term test kit from the National Radon Program.
How do I conduct the test?
Once you get your test kit, follow the directions included in it. You may also view our Radon Test Kit Instruction video.
Can I tell if my home has a high level of radon without testing?
No. The way radon enters a home is complex, and cannot be determined without testing. Things that influence radon levels include: the strength of the radon source, the way the home is built, the activity of occupants in the home, weather changes outdoors, and geology under the home.
What are some of the radon mitigation methods?
There are several mitigation methods available:
- Active slab depressurization is the most common and reliable method. Pipes are inserted through the floor slab. A fan is connected to the pipe, which then suctions radon and other gases before these enter the home.
- Sub-membrane depressurization is similar to the active slab depressurization, and is used in crawl spaces.
- Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation may limit the flow of radon gas into the home. Yet, sealing alone is not sufficient to reduce radon levels consistently.
- Building pressurization uses a fan to blow air into the structure to create enough pressure and prevent radon from entering a home. This method may be less energy efficient and is limited by house construction, occupant life styles and environmental variables such as the average and maximum of the outdoor humidity level and of the indoor-outdoor temperature difference. Problems may arise if uncontrolled excessive moisture is introduced.
- For radon problems in tightly constructed all concrete and high-rise buildings, controlled mechanical ventilation is appropriate.
- There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Methods vary based on construction of your home, where the radon is coming from, and foundation types.