Who Should Get a Radon Test
Everyone. If you live in Ohio, you need a radon test. Radon testing has become more commonly requested as part of a home inspection, among both new and seasoned home owners. Over time, exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. Radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after tobacco smoking. People who smoke have an even higher risk of lung cancer from radon exposure than people who don't smoke.
Everyone. If you live in Ohio, you need a radon test. Radon testing has become more commonly requested as part of a home inspection, among both new and seasoned home owners. Over time, exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. Radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after tobacco smoking. People who smoke have an even higher risk of lung cancer from radon exposure than people who don't smoke.
Radon testing has become more and more common. Simply put, radon is a gas. While it is heavier than air, it has the ability to penetrate the earth's crust, find its way through voids in our living structures, and contaminate the air we breathe. While it tends to be concentrated in the lower areas of the home, forced air heating and cooling, and air exchange systems can spread radon throughout the house. As the building envelope becomes tighter (i.e. new windows, doors, insulation, finished basement, etc.) the radon has less of a chance to dissipate and therefore becomes trapped in the home.
Radon is caustic and can be deadly. Children are most at risk because they are lower to the ground, where the radon is concentrated. I suggest all homeowners get their homes tested for radon. While Radon Testing is not part of a standard home inspection, it is certainly just as important.
Radon is caustic and can be deadly. Children are most at risk because they are lower to the ground, where the radon is concentrated. I suggest all homeowners get their homes tested for radon. While Radon Testing is not part of a standard home inspection, it is certainly just as important.
How Do We Test For Radon?
Short-Term Testing. The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device. "Charcoal Canisters," "Alpha Track," "Electric Ion Chamber," "Continuous Monitors" and "Charcoal Liquid Scintillation" detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing. Because radon levels tend to 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 followed by a second short-term test may be used.
Long-Term Testing. Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. "Alpha Track" and "Electric" 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.
