Radon Gas & Radon Gas Testing

Get The Lead Out, LLC performs residential and commercial radon testing utilizing the EPA recommended guidelines.  Get The Lead Out utilizes third party analyzed carbon absorption testing kits for testing radon. All of our inspectors are certified by the National Radon Safety Board.  Our company NRSB Registration Number is NRSB208 and one of our inspectors, Kevin Joseph, is a certified NRSB Radon Measurement Technician (RMT) 11SS016.

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. 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).

How Can I Detect Radon?
Without testing, there is no way to tell if you have a Radon problem in your house. The United States Environmental Protection Agency now recommends every building be tested for Radon and re-tested regularly.

EPA estimates that about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are radon-related. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon is a form of ionizing radiation and a proven carcinogen. Lung cancer is the only known effect on human health from exposure to radon in air. Thus far, there is no evidence that children are at greater risk of lung cancer than are adults.
EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. The average concentration of radon in outdoor air is 0.4 pCi/L or 1/10th of EPA’s 4 pCi/L action level.

Length of Time to Test
Because radon levels vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. However, if you need results quickly, a short-term test may be used to decide whether to fix the home
The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home from two days to 90 days, depending on the device. There are two groups of devices which are more commonly used for short-term testing. One is the passive device group which includes charcoal canisters. This is what Get The Lead Out uses for radon testing. Exposure of 48 to 72 hours is typically the length of time our canisters are left in the house to detect radon.

How often should I test?
We recommend every year and a half. That way you can test in different seasons, which is necessary because Radon levels can vary. If you’d like, we will send a postcard to remind you when it’s time for your next test.

What if high levels are found in my home?
While there is no known safe level of radon, due to the fact there is always some risk, the EPA has set 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) as the national action level. Homes exceeding that level should be fixed. Homes with levels lower than 4 pCi/l still pose a lesser risk, and in many cases may be reduced.

How do I lower the radon level in my home?
There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home. The primary system used is a vent pipe and fan, which will pull radon from under the home and vent it outside. This system, known as a soil suction radon reduction system, does not require major changes to your home. Sealing foundation cracks and other openings makes this kind of system more effective and cost-efficient. Other methods are also available and will vary based on the design of your home. A professional radon mitigation contractor can provide more details.

To schedule a radon gas test for your home, please call Get The Lead Out at 704-376-3594.