Radon Testing

Radon is a radioactive gas. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert. “Radon is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. Once produced, radon moves through the ground to the air about, some remains below the surface and dissolves in water that collects and flows under the grounds surface.” The average indoor radon levels of Athens County, is 5 pCi/L. A pCi stands for picocurie and is a measure of the rate of radioactive decay of radon. “One pCi is one trillionth of a Curie, 0.037 disintegrations per second or 2.22 disintegrations per minute.”

When testing for radon there are two main methods. The most common “involves a passive device such as an activated charcoal test kit that collects radon gas atoms or an alpha track device that has a small strip of special plastic that is marked when hit by radon’s alpha particles. ” Another device is called an electret which has a plastic disc with static charge; they are used only by professional radon inspectors. This is because of the expertise required and the expensive equipment needed for analysis. The second commonly used method is the use of an active device called a continuous radon monitor or a CRM. “This device is mostly used by professional radon inspectors for short term radon testing during a real estate transaction.” There a multiple makes and models of the CRM device and all require training to be used properly. The differences between the two testing methods are cost, and level of expertise needed for proper use.

Radon mitigation methods go by three standards that may be in use by states or proficiency programs. The standards provide guidance on “the discharge shall be at least 10 above grade, feet away from any opening that is less than two feet below the discharge. The piping may also be routed on the outside of the home.”

http://www.nsc.org/NSCDocuments_Advocacy/Fact%20Sheets/Radon-and-Radiation.pdf

ww.radon.com/radon/radon_FAQ.html

http://sosradon.org/reducing-radon-in-your-home#key%20elements