Radon Testing

Radon is one of the major causes of lung cancer.

The EPA, the Surgeon General, and the Ohio Department of Health recommend that all homes be tested for radon.
In Ohio, there are about 7,700 new lung cancer cases each year. Radon is suspected of causing at least 900 of them!
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon.
Testing is easy and should only take a few minutes of your time.

Test results from your neighbors’ home cannot predict the radon level in your home.

Likewise, past test results of your property may not represent current or future radon levels for a home that has been waterproofed, remodeled, weatherized, had changes made to its heating , air conditioning, or other ventilation systems, added exhaust fans, or had major earth movement around it.

Most real estate transactions require that a state licensed radon tester, perform a short-term test to accurately determine the level of radon entry into each home. Home owner performed tests are not generally accepted as valid data. At Home Radon is licensed by the state of Ohio and Indiana to provide all the necessary testing and evaluation needs during a real estate transaction (Kentucky does not have a licensing requirement at this time).

At Home Radon prides itself in providing the quickest response time in this market. Your test request will be electronically dispatched to our state licensed technicians and your test is quite often initiated the same day you call us. We then ensure you will receive your results as soon as possible to expedite your transaction.

There Are Two General Ways To Test Your Home for Radon:

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.

Short-Term Testing

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. The passive device group includes alpha track detectors, charcoal canisters, charcoal liquid scintillation detectors, and electret ion chambers. The active device group consists of different types of continuous monitors.

Long-Term Testing

Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. Alpha track, and electret ion chamber detectors are commonly used for this type of testing. A long-term test will give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home's year-round average radon level than a short-term test. If time permits (more than 90 days) long-term tests can be used to confirm initial short-term results. When long-term test results are 4 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home.

When Choosing a Short-Term Testing Option...

There are trade-offs among the short-term testing options. Two tests taken at the same time (simultaneous) would improve the precision of this radon test. One test followed by another test (sequential) would most likely give a better representation of the seasonal average. Both active and passive devices may have features which help to prevent test interference. Your state radon office can help you decide which option is best.

Doing a Short-Term Test...

If you are testing in a real estate transaction and you need results quickly, any of the following three options for short-term Tests are acceptable in determining whether the home should be fixed. Any real estate test for radon should include steps to prevent or detect device interference with the test device.

Measurement Device Protocols

The following criteria should be applied to select the location of the detector within a room.

A position should be selected where the detector will not be disturbed during the measurement period and where there is adequate room for the device.
The measurement should not be made near drafts caused by heating, ventilating and air conditioning vents, doors, fans, and windows. Locations near excessive heat, such as fireplaces or in direct sunlight, and areas of high humidity should be avoided.
The measurement location should not be within 90 centimeters (3 feet) of windows or other potential openings in the exterior wall. If there are no potential openings (e.g., windows) in the exterior wall, then the measurement location should not be within 30 centimeters (1 foot) of the exterior walls of the building.
The detector should be at least 50 centimeters (20 inches) from the floor, and at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) from other objects. For those detectors that may be suspended, an optimal height for placement is in the general breathing zone, such as 2 to 2.5 meters (about 6 to 8 feet) from the floor.

In general, measurements should not be made in kitchens, laundry rooms, closets, or bathrooms.