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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is radon?

A. Radon originates from uranium. Over billions of years it gradually changes into radon gas. This gas is free to move up out of the soil and into the air above.

Q. Why is radon harmful?

A. Radon causes lung cancer. In fact, it's the leading cause of lung cancer among non smokers. The particles (radon decay products) created by radon as it continues to radioactively change can be breathed into the lungs. These products stick on the walls of the air passages leading to the lungs and on the lung tissue itself.

Q. Does radon cause other health effects?

A. There is no current evidence radon causes any other illnesses.

Q. What is the safe level of radon?

A. No level of radon is safe. EPA recommends an average short term test should be less than 4.0 pCi/L. If your average is at or above 4.0 pCi/L then you should mitigate your home.

Q. What is the difference between the activated charcoal (AC) canister versus the continuous monitor radon (CRM) test?

A. The AC gives one average of radon concentration over the exposed time and is analyzed in the lab. The CRM prints an hourly average over the exposed period and can print out at the time of retrieval. Both devices are exposed a minimum of 48 hours, a maximum of 72 hours.

Q. Which device is more accurate?

A. They are equally accurate. The CRM, however, supplies you with more information.

Q. What is the benefit of more information?

A. The CRM allows you to see how high the radon concentration reaches within the 48 - 72 hour period of exposure.

Q. What is a radon sub slab depressurization system?

A. A technique that mechanically creates a suction on the soil beneath the structure (home). Because the suction produced by the system under the house is greater than the suction exerted by the house, the radon is vacuumed out of the soil before it has a chance to enter the home. The system’s vacuum is created by an in-line fan. The fan is attached to a depressurization piping system and operates continuously, creating a vacuum on the radon entry points. The radon can be captured and safely vented away from the home.