Eagle Home Inspections

January 2024 | Issue 38

January is National Radon Action Month

"Why is radon important to homeowners?"

"Where does radon come from?"

"Should I test for radon?"

"How long does radon testing take?"

What is Radon?

Radon is everywhere and is an odorless, tasteless, and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation, trapping radon inside, where it can build up over time.

Any home, no matter the age or condition, may have radon problems.

Radon is radioactive and, like arsenic and asbestos, a Class A carcinogen. After smoking, exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US and responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths every year. The EPA recommends mitigation if the radon level in your home is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher.



Where Does Radon Come From?

Radon is produced naturally by chemical processes originating from local geology.

In nature radon is produced by the radioactive decay of the elements uranium and thorium, found within the soils and rocks of the Earth.

Natural geologic sources of uranium include uranium ores and various types of rocks such as shales, granites, metamorphic rocks such as gneiss and schist, and less commonly in sandstone. Granites and shales are noted as more common sources due to their higher comparative levels of uranium in their composition. However, not all rocks of these types are prone to high levels of radon emission.

Source: https://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/health/case_studies/radon.html

Radon Testing Guidelines

Should I test my home?

The simple answer is YES! Below is the EPA map of radon zones in CT showing elevated levels across the state, with highest concentrations along our shoreline. If you have a well, we recommend testing the water for radon especially if your radon air levels are above normal limits. You can either test for radon on your own by purchasing a test kit from a lab or home improvement store, or you can have it professionally tested. Testing can provide you with peace of mind and help keep your family safe.

Eagle offers our customers radon testing for both air and water when performed in conjunction with a complete home inspection. Additional fees apply.

Eagle's Radon Testing Protocol

• SAMPLING FOR RADON IN AIR: A radon meter is set by Eagle usually before or during the home inspection. The meter requires a minimum of 48 hours at the sample site to gather an accurate reading.
• SAMPLING FOR RADON IN WATER: A water test sample is drawn by Eagle usually before or during the home inspection and is then sent to the lab for analysis.
• TURN-AROUND: Turn-around on radon test results is typically 3-5 calendar days from the testing start date.
• RESULTS: Eagle emails radon in air test results directly to our client. For radon in water, the lab emails radon in water test results directly to our client.

Feel free to call us for more information -

we are happy to speak with you about

radon and the home inspection process!

Inspecting all of CT

7 days a week

(203) 640-2053

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