Get A Radon Test to Protect Your Family
What's The Problem With Radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that is all around us, whether outdoors or indoors. It comes from the uranium that found in all soil and emits ionizing radiation, which can alter and damage cell DNA. Radon is diluted in outside air, but it becomes dangerous indoors because it becomes concentrated and can’t escape easily. Radon emits from the soil and enters a house through openings and small cracks in the foundation.
According to the EPA, South Central Pennsylvania has one of the most serious radon problems in the US. There are serious health risks associated with radon contamination. Radon is the second-highest cause of lung cancer after smoking, resulting in over 20,000 deaths annually in the U.S. It’s the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
According to this EPA map, our service area in South Central PA is entirely in red Zone 1, indicating a high degree of radon contamination. In fact the highest radon levels ever recorded worldwide were right in Berks County
Because the radon problem is so persistent in South Central PA, over 60 percent of the radon testing that we do is over the critical level that requires remediation. That’s why it’s so important to have radon testing done to check your potential home.
We Can Test Your Home For Radon
The U.S. Surgeon General, the EPA, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection strongly recommend that all home buyers have the home tested for radon.
We test for the presence of radon using a Corentium Pro continuous radon monitor, the most state-of-the-art professional radon monitor in use today. This device records the levels of radon gas in an air sample. The actual radon levels in the home may vary depending on many factors including, time, temperature, season, barometric pressure, ventilation, and others.
A test result of 4 pCi/L or more is considered an elevated level, and remediation is highly recommended. Typically, the remediation system consists of a PVC pipe inserted into the soil underneath the home, often with a fan installed inline, and routed through the roof, safely venting the gas outdoors. This can also reduce humidity levels in the home. We do not install remediation systems, but can recommend qualified contractors to do so.
Radon testing during a home purchase is smart for any home buyer. Not only does it inform you if your potential home is safe and healthy, but it can also save you money. If there are high levels of radon in the home, you may be able to negotiate with the seller to cover the cost of having remediation installed.
The good news is that you can fix a radon problem in your home with a remediation system. These can cost about $1200 to install on average; passive systems cost less than active systems. Reaching the EPA recommended level of 4 pCi/L can sometimes be difficult, but a remediation contractor will know best how to tackle the problem if you discover there is one.
If you are purchasing an old or a new home in Central PA, we strongly recommend that you don’t skip radon testing. We can also perform radon testing if you’ve been living in your home but never had it tested, and maintenance tests to monitor the level of radon over time. For peace of mind, health and safety for you and your family, Contact us today to schedule a radon test
How Radon Enters a Home
More about radon
Our Service Area
We serve Allentown, Carlisle, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Pottsville, Reading, York, and their surrounding areas in Central Pennsylvania. Contact us with questions or service outside these areas.
Additional fees apply to properties over an hour away, over 100 years old, or over 2,000 square feet.
