Radon Testing

What is Radon?

  Radon is a highly radioactive gas that has no taste or smell.  These features make it impossible to notice without testing or contracting side effects.  This dangerous gas is the leading cause of lung-cancer for nonsmokers.  The fact that this gas is stable as a single atom leads to many different dangers.  The main danger due to the small size of this element is that it can penetrate through almost anything, including paper, paint, concrete, wood, and insulation.  This means that radon can get into homes without the owners knowing it.  In fact, in Athens County, the average indoor radon level is 5 pCi/L.  This is why it's important to test regularly for the hazardous gas before it's too late. 

How do you test for it?

  There are two main ways to test for radon in areas, passive and active.  The passive form of testing involves a charcoal test kit.  This comes with a small strip of treat plastic that is marked when the radon particles hit the plastic.  It records the amount of radon that touches the strip, and then is taken to the lab for analysis.  The analysis in lab will then come back with a report of the levels of radon in that area.  The second main method for testing in active.  This method uses a continuous radon monitor.  This device actively pumps air through the monitor, keeping track of the amount of radon that passes through.  This method requires proper training to ensure that the technique is done correctly.  

What are the different Radon mitigation methods? 

   After testing and determining the presence of radon, there are different ways to reduce the amount that is in a home.  The different layouts and structures of each home will ultimately determine the best way to go about radon mitigation.  A common way to reduce radon is through active soil depressurization.  This method uses a system of underground pipes and fans.  The two pieces work in conjunction to remove the radon from below the home near the concrete foundation before it has the ability to seep into the home.  The most common way to effectively reduce radon is through sub-slab depressurization.  In this method, suction pipes are place into the crush rock below the slab.  They are used with a vent fan to pull the radon from below the home and release it into the surrounding atmosphere.  This limits the amount of radon emission being directly put into the home. With all radon reduction methods, cracks and holes in walls or floors are sealed to limit the access that radon as for entering the home.  Although those are just two similar types of radon mitigation, there are many more different ways. 

Sources:

  Air Chek Inc

     http://www.radon.com/radon/radon_facts.html

  Athens County Radon Information 

     http://county-radon.info/OH/Athens.html

  Radon FAQ

     http://www.radon.com/radon/radon_FAQ.html

  Nevada Radon Education Program

     https://www.unce.unr.edu/programs/sites/radon/mitigation/