| WHAT IS RADON? |
It is a colorless odorless radioactive gas.
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| WHERE DOES IT COME FROM? |
It comes from the naturally occurring decay of Uranium. Uranium is randomly distributed in the surface of the Earth. When Uranium decays, it gives off Radon as a soil gas.
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| HOW DOES IT GET INTO THE HOME? |
Soil gasses including Radon use micro-pores to enter a home through the basement or floor slab of the building.
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| WHY IS TESTING FOR RADON IMPORTANT? |
If you are a non-smoker, it is the leading cause of lung cancer. The typical American receives 55% of his radiation exposure from Radon.
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| HOW DOES RADON CAUSE LUNG CANCER? |
The radioactive decay of Radon sends out Alpha particles. These heavy dense sub-atomic nuclear particles can cause mutagenic damage to lung tissue. This is the underlying cause of cancer.
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| IS THERE AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF RADON IN THE HOME? |
The United States Environmental Protection Agency set an ‘Action Level’ of 4.0 pico Curies Per Liter. Homes with radon levels greater than 4.0 pCi/L should be mitigated.
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| WHAT CAN BE DONE TO KEEP MY HOME SAFE? |
If there is an elevated level of Radon, a mitigation system can be installed. Mitigation systems generally cost in the range of $800 to $2,000 depending on the property.
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| DOES HOME RATERS TEST FOR RADON? |
This is an additional service that we offer. Our company is a State of Illinois Licensed Radon Testing Company. Testing is done under license number RNI 91078.
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| HOW DOES HOME RATERS PERFORM A RADON TEST? |
We place a radon detection device in the lowest livable areas of the home. Testing must be done over a period greater than 48 hours. The home must be ‘closed up’ 12 hours before and during the radon testing period.
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| WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY ‘CLOSED UP?’ |
Windows and doors must be closed. You can enter and exit your home normally.
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| HOW DO WE GET A RADON TEST FROM HOME RATERS? |
Simply call our office or Request an Inspection online.
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