What is Radon?

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Radon is a gas produced by the radioactive decay of the element radium. Radioactive decay is a natural, spontaneous process in which an atom of one element decays or breaks down to form another element by losing atomic particles (protons, neutrons, or electrons). When solid radium decays to form radon gas, it loses two protons and two neutrons. These two protons and two neutrons are called an alpha particle, which is a type of radiation. Elements that produce radiation are referred to as radioactive. Radon itself is radioactive because it also decays, losing an alpha particle and forming the element polonium.  We do radon testing with or without a home inspection.

 

Radon Testing

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Radon Is a Cancer‑Causing, Radioactive Gas You cannot see, smell, or taste radon. But it still may be a problem in your home. When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General of the United States has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.

One out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes.  Does your new home have it?

EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home’s indoor radon levels if your radon test result is 4 pCi/L or higher. 

We do radon testing with or without a home inspection.

 

Radon in Water

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The radon in your home’s indoor air can come from two sources, the soil or your water supply. Compared to radon entering your home through the water, radon entering your home through the soil is a much larger risk. If you’ve tested for radon in air and have elevated radon levels and your water comes from a private well, have your water tested. The devices and procedures for testing your home’s water supply are different from those used for measuring radon in air. The radon in your water supply poses an inhalation risk and an ingestion risk. Research has shown that your risk of lung cancer from breathing radon in air is much larger than your risk of stomach cancer from swallowing water with radon in it. Most of your risk from radon in water comes from radon released into the air when water is used for showering and other household purposes.

A radon in water problem is more likely when its source is ground water, e.g., a private well or a public water supply system that uses ground water.

 

We do water testing for radon in the water supply also.

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Call us at (630) 512 1976 or

email BookRoseHomeInsp@gmail.com