What is Radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas which emanates from the ground. Radon is a "daughter" of Uranium. (Radioactive Uranium in the Earth naturally decays, eventually into Radon.)
Radon escapes from the ground and seeps into every home through the portion of the home that is in contact with the ground. Radon has always existed on Earth; there is a measurable amount of radon in outdoor air, although the level is quite low since Radon dissipates into the air.
What are the dangers associated with Radon Gas?
- As radioactive Radon decays, it's daughters which are inhaled emit alpha particles which can damage lung tissue.
- Class A Carcinogen - known cancer causing gas.
- Causes an average of 14,000 deaths/year in the U.S.
- Children may be more vulnerable to carcinogenic effects when cells are replicating (dividing and multiplying)
- Surgeon General calls it the second leading cause of lung cancer.
- Smokers are 15 to 20 times more at risk.
- Millions of homes have elevated levels.
- Affects new and old homes alike.
How do I get a Radon Test?
Saulsbury Environmental performs the most accurate, tamper-resistant short-term test available using electronic continuous monitor technology.
- Short-term tests remain in your home from 2 days to 90 days, depending on the device.
- For initial home screenings, a short-term test is recommended.
- Test the lowest livable area of the home for at least 48 hours, keeping all windows and doors closed (except for normal entry and exit).
- Graph of hourly radon levels can reveal abnormal fluctuations due to weather, tampering, etc.
- Motion Detectors indicate if monitor was moved.
- Tamper-evident seals are placed on doors and windows.
We use Thomson Nielson Electronics, Ltd. continuous working level monitors and Sun Nuclear Corp. continuous monitors.
What do I do after the test?
- If Radon levels are greater than or equal to 4 pCi/l (pico curies per liter), EPA recommends that you fix the home.
- If initial screening measurement is just slightly over 4 pCi/l, you may want to do a long term test for more than 90 days before deciding whether to fix the home. Link to EPA.
How can I find out more?
Protect Your Family, Order a Radon Test Today!
Visit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Radon Information Page.
Call us at (412) 371-8885!