Bendix Home Inspection,Inc. 734-377-5616 Rick@bendixinspect.com
Do it Once, Do it Right
Radon: In plain language
Radon is a naturally occurring gas from the decompisition of uranium. As it rises through the earth it can find cracks in basement floors, sump pumps or any openings in the foundation floor or walls.
Radon is measured in "Picocurries per Liter, pCi/L)
The EPA ( http://www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/radon.html (HTML) has said that a level of 4.0 pCi/L is the upper limit of an acceptible threshold. The EPA also has identified counties by catagories relating to the average results found. The three catagories are low, medium, and high. Homes in the low risk catagory, I advise they should test, and also that many counties provide the samples for a minimal fee or even free in some places.
Time is a major factor in testing. The test have to hang exposed, under closed house conditions, for at least 48 hours. Then the tests need to be returned to the laboratory within 8 days for the results to be viable. (If you test yourself, I recommend that you "2 - Day Over Night "them.
When I Test:
I use Pro-Chek test kits from Radon Pro Laboratories. They have alot of useful information at their web site: http://www.radon.com/ . I use two test to ensure the results, and I'll return 48 hours later to collect them and overnight them to the lab. The results will be available in 3 - 5 days by email.
Below: Radon Pro has compiled a list by counties on the average results found. Also there is alot of useful information under the headings at the top of the page. I encourage you to browse my site.