Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring earthly gas. It has: no color, no odor, no taste, and is radioactive. Because you cannot see or smell radon, the only way to tell if you are being exposed to the gas is by measuring radon levels.

According to the American Lung Association: Radon is considered to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Radon gas can come up through the soil under a home or building and enter through gaps and cracks in the foundation or insulation, as well as through pipes, drains, walls or other openings. Radon causes between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States -- 12 percent of all lung cancer deaths are linked to radon.

Radon problems have been found in every state. The EPA estimates that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has indoor radon levels at or above the level at which homeowners should take action -- 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) on a yearly average. Radon can also be a problem in schools and workplaces.

We use an electronic radon detection device that is placed in the lowest level of the home for 48 hours. A reading is taken each hour, in order to determine the average level over the test time period. Our radon testing follows the strict protocol established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for real estate transactions.

Click on the links below for more information about Radon

EPA Radon Zone Map

(Courtesy: Environmental Protection Agency)

Map indicates level of radon concentrations.

Zone 1 (Red) - Highest Potential (greater than 4 pCi/L)

Zone 2 (Orange) - Moderate Potential (from 2 to 4 pCi/L)

Zone 3 (Yellow) - Low Potential (less than 2 pCi/L)

REMEMBER: high radon levels can be discovered in any zone. This map supplied by the EPA illustrates the historical evidence of past findings. Buildings in the same area could possibly have very different radon concentrations.

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