Radon Testing has become a very important thing across the United States and many other parts of the world. Radon is very dangerous and can occur in the air or in the water. Radon Testing can be performed by a professional or just an average individual. If the levels of radon in the air prove to be too high, then Radon Mitigation will be needed to reduce the levels present in a building. Radon Mitigation is where the levels of radon are collected from the air beneath the surface and the ventilation is increased. There are also ways to remove radon out of the water, but this procedure is a little more intense. A Radon Testing kit can be purchased at your local hardware store. It is a Radon Testing unit that is similar to a charcoal canister that constantly monitors and records the amount of radon present. This Radon Testing unit is self maintained, you just place it in a corner somewhere and let it do its thing. It records the amount of radon detected daily for the 90 days you perform your Radon Testing then you take the average and this will give you a ball park number of the amount of radon your home contains.
No amount of radon is safe, but because it is impossible to remove all of the radon in certain areas, the U.S. has put standards on it. If a building or structure is said to have more than 4 measured units of radon, it is said to be unsafe. Two units is the ideal amount of radon that can be present and still be considered safe, but in certain locations, reading 3.9 or less is acceptable. Radon Testing should be performed at least twice, to ensure that the conditions were the same throughout both test sessions, radon levels can fluctuate daily based on wind conditions as well as a difference in ventilation. A typical Radon Testing is ideally 90 days; this is considered a short term test to see if the radon level is unsafe. A long term Radon Testing would be performed for one year to get a better idea of true radon levels, but if you do not have that much time, a short term Radon Testing will work. If, in fact, the radon level is over 4 units, proper procedures must be taken to reduce the levels. Radon testing is essential because you cannot see radon, but you breathe it. High amounts of radon will break down the lungs and most likely cause lung cancer, leading to possible death; this is why Radon Testing is so important.
Radon gets into the soil, which gets into the water. Radon testing for the water would have to consist of a water sample that would require being sent off to the proper laboratory for testing. Radon Testing is recommended whenever moving to a new location. Ideally it should be performed by the landlord or owner, but can also be performed by the tenant or buyer to protect them.
Is radon testing required in apartment complexes and condo communities? I thought that I heard once that it was and my mother is in an elderly care facility where they do radon testing semi-annually. I didn't know that it was required that often; how often would you recommend doing it?
ReplyDeleteI see that you said if the radon levels are over 4 units, they must be reduced. How do you go about reducing the levels of radon and is the home safe from future radon issues forever or do you have to perform the radon removal procedure regularly?
ReplyDeleteIt is probably a good thing that the US has added the standards for businesses to comply to. Do you think it would be necessary to have your building or home tested throughout the year?
ReplyDeleteWell, I do not like to read that "no level of Radon is safe", then a couple minutes later read that it can't be removed completely. I understand that there are gases and other things in the air, water and food we eat, but it is a good thing to reduce them if possible.
ReplyDelete