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WHAT IS RADON?
Radon Is a Cancer‑Causing, Radioactive Gas
You cannot see, smell, or taste radon
Radon gas can be found on the Periodic Table of Elements. It is a naturally occurring, cancer-causing, radioactive gas that is present in the soil, water and air all around us.
Radon is eventually formed through the radioactive breakdown of other chemical elements.
We have all heard of Uranium right? It is a chemical element found in the earth that breaks down over time and produces the next element referred to as the RPD- "Radioactive Decay Product." Uranium breaks down because it is not stable. It is Radioactive.
The rate of the breakdown is referred to as the half life.
This radioactive decay chain eventually produces Radon gas.
The breakdown we are concerned about is when Radon gas disintegrates and forms RPD's that can attach to many surfaces, including the air particles you breathe into your lungs. The radioactive laced air you breathe increases your risk of lung cancer.
There is so much more credible information that can be very easily found on the EPA.gov website.
I encourage you to read on.
The Radon Test
The devices we use for Radon testing are charcoal canisters that are recommended by the EPA for short term real estate transaction testing. Charcoal canisters provide very accurate results for short term and long term testing. These canisters collect Radon gas particles and its RPDs and are measured in "Picocurie per liter" or "pCi/L" which is the amount of radioactive material per liter of air that will produce 2.2 disintegrations per minute of radiation.
These Charcoal canisters collect air particles over a
48-96 hour period and are then shipped off to our affiliate radon lab, Radata Inc. where they are processed. Results are available within 48 hours.
The "action level" set forth by the EPA is 4.0pCi/L.
Which means that if the radon concentration levels in the building are 4.0pCi/L or higher, the home must be mitigated. This cost can often be worked into the negotiation of the sale of the home or building.
Following the "closed building conditions" is extremely important for proper test results. Our aim is to measure the concentration of Radon inside the home without any interference of outdoor air and any other pollutants.
Download a copy of the EPA Home Buyers and Sellers Guide to Radon
USTA Home and Building Inspections is a fully licensed and certified Radon Measurement Company
Serving Bergen County and surrounding areas