Radon Gas Testing

The EPA recommends that all homes be tested for radon – an odorless, tasteless, and invisible radioactive gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, responsible for over 20,000 deaths, on average, each year. Radon is a Class A carcinogen, listed in the same class as arsenic and asbestos. The radon problem is especially significant here in PA. On average, 1 in 15 homes (about 6%) have elevated radon levels nationwide, but in PA an estimated 40% of homes have elevated levels! In other words, if you live in Pennsylvania you are nearly seven times more likely to have a dangerous radon level than if you lived in most other states! If your home’s radon level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends that it be mitigated, and you are encouraged to consider mitigation if your radon level averages 2.0 pCi/L or more, as the average home level nationwide is 1.3 pCi/L and no amount of radon is known to be safe. Fortunately, even high radon levels can usually be corrected fairly easily and with less expense than you might think. We use Radalink AirCats, which are state-of-the-art continuous radon monitors, to test your radon level and provide detailed, accurate, and instant results after a short-term 48 hour test. The AirCat monitors can even detect tampering, so the client can rest at ease knowing their test results are accurate. Even if you have had a mitigation system installed, the EPA recommends having your home re-tested at least every two years to make sure your system is working properly, and we are happy to provide you with that service. In short, every home inspection in Pennsylvania should include a radon test and even homes with mitigation systems should be tested at least every other year.