Radon Measurement

Maintaining a healthy home and family is a top priority and at Radon Experts, a Tucker Family Construction company, we couldn’t agree more. Over the years, we’ve become aware of a threat to our homes and health that Madison area homeowners may not be aware of: high radon levels.

Radon is a cancer-causing invisible, odorless gas caused by the breakdown of uranium in soil. It’s a problem in many areas across the United States. The Midwest is no exception, Wisconsin included. Geologists and surveyors have deemed Wisconsin to be 4.0 pCi/L or higher. The only way to know for certain if radon is a problem in your home is to undergo radon testing.

Why Test?

Radon testing is important because according to the EPA, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States among non-smokers. Combining smoking with high radon levels in your home increases your risk of lung cancer even more.

Lifetime Risk of Lung Cancer Death (per person) from Radon Exposure in Homes
Chart is courtesy of the EPA at www.epa.gov

Radon Level (pCi/L) Never Smokers Current Smokers General Population
20 36 out of 1,000 26 out of 100 11 out of 100
10 18 out of 1,000 15 out of 100 56 out of 1,000
8 15 out of 1,000 12 out of 100 45 out of 1,000
4 73 out of 10,000 62 out of 1,000 23 out of 1,000
2 37 out of 10,000 32 out of 1,000 12 out of 1,000
1.25 23 out of 10,000 20 out of 1,000 73 out of 10,000
0.4 73 out of 100,000 64 out of 10,000 23 out of 10,000

A. Assumes constant lifetime exposure in homes at these levels.
B. Estimates are subject to uncertainties as discussed in Chapter VIII of the risk assessment.
C. Does not specify excess relative risks for current smokers.

 

Radon Testing

Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. You can do it yourself, or you can choose to have one of our certified, experienced radon inspectors conduct the radon test for you. Radon Experts has worked within the real estate industry testing homes on the real estate market to determine their radon levels. When it comes to radon measurement, you can choose from two radon detection tests: a short-term test and a long-term test. Contact us now by calling 608-882-8017 to learn more or schedule radon testing or radon mitigation for your home.

Short-term Radon Test

Short-term radon testing is easy and takes only about 48 hours. A home radon test consists of a charcoal canister test, which is used to collect an air sample during a 48 hour period. After that, you seal the canister and mail it to a lab for the radon inspection results. Radon gas is measured in “picocuries per liter of air,” or pCi/L for short. After your sample is analyzed at the lab, your home radon test results will reflect the average radon experienced in your home over the 48 hours the test was taken. If your short-term radon test comes back high (4.0 pCi/L or higher), it’s a good idea to take another short-term test or to hire a professional to do a test before you begin radon mitigation.

Radon Measurement

Long-Term Radon Test

Long-term radon testing gives you a more accurate reading of the year-round radon level in your home. This test, one of which is called the Alpha Track, lasts for 90 days or longer. However, if your short-term radon test comes back with very high radon levels, it’s important to follow through quickly by doing another short-term test so that you’re not exposed to potentially high radon levels during the time it takes to conduct a long-term test.

EPA Guidelines

One out of every fifteen homesThe EPA estimates that the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L. About 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more than outdoor levels. While technologically this goal is not attainable everywhere at this time, in most homes the radon levels can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or lower through various radon abatement processes.

Selling Your Home?

More potential home buyers are requesting to know the radon levels of a home before they purchase it—and they feel more comfortable with the accuracy of the results when the radon testing and any necessary radon mitigation is done by a reputable company, one that doesn’t have a vested interest in the sale of the home. You can trust that Radon Experts has experienced, certified radon detectors who can help you to determine an accurate radon measurement and any necessary radon mitigation of your home.

You can count on Radon Experts for expert radon testing and radon reduction and mitigation services. Helping families stay safe in their own Madison WI area homes is our top priority. We serve the Wisconsin counties of Dane, Green, Iowa, and Rock, and surrounding areas. Contact us today at 608-882-8017 to make sure your home is the safe haven it should be.