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Have You Tested For Radon in Your Home?

Jim Robinson Jim Manley

The danger to our health regarding exposure to Radon Gas in our homes is surging to the forefront in real  estate transactions all over the nation. The United States  Environmental Protection Agency has exhausted numerous  resources toward notifing the public regarding the seriousness  of the risk Radon Gas poses to our families and loved ones.




Radon Is a Cancer-Causing, Radioactive Gas

You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home.  When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer.  In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States 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.

SURGEON GENERAL HEALTH ADVISORY

"Indoor radon gas is a national health problem.  Radon causes thousands of deaths each year.  Millions of homes have elevated radon levels.  Homes should be tested for radon.  When elevated levels are confirmed, the problem should be corrected."

If you are testing in a real estate transaction and you need results quickly, any of the following three options for  short-term Tests are acceptable in determining whether the home should be fixed. Any real estate test for radon should include steps to prevent or detect interference with the test device.

When Choosing a Short-Term Testing Option...

There are trade-offs among the short-term testing options.  Two tests taken at the same time (simultaneous) would improve the precision of this radon test.  One test followed by another test (sequential) would most likely give a better representation of the seasonal average.  Both active and passive devices may have features which help to prevent test interference. Ask your Certified Radon Test Measurement Provider what they use.

 

Enter Drawing for a FREE Certified Residential Radon Gas Test.

 

Short-Term Testing Options What to do Next
Passive:
Take two short-term tests at the same time in the same location for at least 48 hours.  

or 

Take an initial short-term test for at least 48 hours.  Immediately upon completing the first test, do a second test using an identical device in the same location as the first test.


Fix the home if the average of two tests is 4 pCi/L or more.

**SEE MAP**

 

Fix the home if the average of the two tests is 4 pCi/L or more. **SEE MAP**

Active:
Test the home with a continuous monitor for at least 48 hours.


Fix the home if the average radon level is 4 pCi/L or more.

 **SEE MAP**

Radon Test Device Placement

EPA recommends that testing device(s) be placed in the lowest level of the home suitable for occupancy. This means testing in the lowest level (such as a basement), which a buyer could use for living space without renovations. The test should be conducted in a room to be used regularly (like a family room, living room, playroom, den or bedroom); do not test in a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or hallway.  Usually, the buyer decides where to locate the radon test, based on their expected use of the home.  A buyer and seller should explicitly discuss and agree on the test location to avoid any misunderstanding.  Their decision should be clearly communicated to the person performing the test.

 

If the Home Has Not Yet Been Tested for Radon...

Make sure that a radon test is done as soon as possible.

Consider including provisions in the real estate sales contract specifying:

  • Where the test will be located;

  • Who should conduct the test;

  • What type of test to do;

  • When to do the test;

  • How the seller and the buyer will share the test results;

  • When radon mitigation measures will be taken and who will pay for them.

Make sure that the test is done in the lowest level of the home suitable for occupancy. This means the lowest level that you are going to use as living space which is finished or does not require renovations prior to use. Radon Finders has local certified radon gas measurement officials who can help you make some of these decisions.

If you decide to finish or renovate an unfinished area of the home in the future, a radon test should be taken before starting the project and after the project is finished. Generally, it is less expensive to install a radon-reduction system before (or during) renovations rather than afterwards.

 

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 United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water.  Your home can trap radon inside.

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and 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 United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more).  Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state. Here's a chart for you to review.

Consider Radon Gas Measurements Where You Live

radon risk bar chart

 

 

 

Radon is estimated to cause thousands of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year.

 

 

ALABAMA

The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Geological Survey have evaluated the radon potential in the U.S. and have developed this map 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 Zone 1 Highest Potential (greater than 4 pCi/L)
zone 2 Zone 2 Moderate Potential (from 2 to 4 pCi/L)
zone 3 Zone 3 Low Potential (less than 2 pCi/L)

Alabama Zone Map

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