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Radon Inspections
 

What is Radon?
Radon is an colorless, oderless, tasteless gas that is emitted from the ground naturally as a result of decaying radium from uranium. Radon was first discovered in 1900 by Friedrich Ernst Dorn a physicist. Radon gas seeping from the ground can accumulate in homes and buildings particularly in basements and other confined space areas such as crawl spaces under houses. Radon gas has been linked to lung cancer as a result of breathing in excessive quantities of the contaminated air. The Environmental Protection Agency places radon second to cigarette smoking for contributing to lung cancer and the 6th. leading cause of cancer deaths as a whole. Annually, 21,000 people in the United States die as a result of radon induced lung cancer. Radon gas in non-combustible, non-flammable and can sometimes be found in water.

 
Why Test for Radon?
Because radon is an oderless, colorless and tasteless gas it can not be detected by human senses alone. It is one of the heaviest known gases at 8 times the surface density of the Earth's atmosphere. Because of this radon has the tendency to collect in lower level living areas in concentrated levels. In an unventilated, confined area radon may rise to an unhealthy, hazardous level if not vented. These levels may vary from room to room depending on factors such as location, ventilation and elevation. To protect the occupents from exposure to high radon levels the areas in question should be tested by a certified radon Inspector.

 

How Do we Test for Radon?
EquityHome Inspection, LLC uses the latest in electronic air monitoring equipment. We use the Sun Nuclear 1028 Continuous Radon Monitor. The device is set up in specific living areas on the lowest level of a structure under very specific guidelines. The 1028 takes air measurements every every hour on the hour for a period of 48 hours to produce a very detailed report on the changing radon levels as outlined by the EPA, (Environmental Protection Agency). The report is easy to read, accurate, and has the EPA action levels preset in the device. The testing device is calibrated annually, is tamper proof, and all data is displayed on the report.

 

How Do You Get Rid of Radon?
Once an area is tested for radon, Equity Home Inspection, LLC will send you an electronic report. The report will determine if the testing area either exceeded the EPA Action Level or was below the EPA Action Level and will include recommendations for mittigation. This report can be given to a radon mittigation company to have the radon mittigated from the structure.

In most cases radon is mittigated by way of sub slab depressureization. This is a process of cutting a hole in the concrete floor and installing a PVC pipe which connects to a special fan that sucks the radon molecules from the area beneath the floor and discharges it into the air above the rain gutter.