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A buyer writes: "I want to thank Matt for taking the time to answer all of my questions. I feel much more comfortable about buying my first home." |
Radon Testing
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for the presence of radon.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It comes from the decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. Radon gas is colorless, odorless, and without taste.
When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
The EPA has determined that houses with radon levels above 4 picocuries of radon per liter of air (4.0 pCi/L) represent a significant health hazard to the occupants. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has determined that Pennsylvania has about twice as many houses with radon levels above 4.0 pCi/L as any other state.
The presence of radon in a home cannot be detected by human senses. The only way to know if your home contains radon gas is to test for its presence. In Pennsylvania, radon testing can only be performed by a PADEP certified radon tester, or by the person who owns or occupies the building. The inspectors at Allied Inspection Services are PADEP certified radon testers. Click here to read the PADEP-required Notice to Consumers.
We use the Radalink Continuous Radon Monitor for the most accurate results. The monitor will be placed in the Lowest Livable Area in the home. The radon test takes 48 hours to complete. Closed House Conditions must be maintained for 12 hours before the test begins and for the 48 hours during the test. Test data is sent to Radalink via phone line at the conclusion of the test. A detailed report, showing the radon level during each hour of the test as well as the overall average level, will be emailed to the client and real estate agent within two hours of uploading during normal business hours (8am-7pm M-F, 8am-2pm Sat).
The EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home’s indoor radon levels if your radon test result is 4.0 pCi/L or higher. There are many straight-forward reduction techniques that will work in almost any home. You should contact one of the PADEP Certified Mitigation Firms* or call 1-800-644-6999 for more information.
Click here to view the video Radon is Real: A Drop In the Bucket
For more information about radon testing and mitigation, refer to any of the following:
The Truth About Radon Exposure*
Home Buyers and Sellers Guide to Radon (EPA).
PA Department of Environmental Protection's Radon Divison
US Environmental Protection Agency's Radon Home Page
National Safety Council - Radon Information
* You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.
You may download a free copy by clicking here.
