Radon Gas Testing

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. If a person is exposed to high levels over time, it can cause lung cancer.

Radon gas forms naturally when radioactive metal (radium, thorium or uranium) breaks down in rocks, soil or groundwater. It evaporates and disappears outdoors, so levels outside are low. Indoors, however, radon gas can enter buildings through their foundations and become trapped. People may breathe in radon gas in their homes, school, workplaces and other indoor places.

SkyNet Radon Gas Testing:  Will conduct a 48 hour calibrated equipment test that will record the levels of Radon Gas in the home and provide a comprehensive report.

Radon has been found in every state in the U.S. The amount or levels of radon varies across the country, depending on the kinds of rocks and soil in each area. Because of their working environment, miners are at increased risk for radon exposure.

Radon gas is also found in all kinds of indoor spaces. For the general population, the greatest exposure happens in the home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that elevated radon levels are present in one of every 15 American homes.

Radon levels are usually higher in places that are:

• Closer to the ground, such as basements or underground mines.
• Near soil that contains more radioactive metal.
• Poorly ventilated.
• Processing or storing certain products, such as phosphate fertilizers or uranium.
• Very tightly sealed.
• Very well-insulated.

If the building's radon level is high (more than 148 Bq/m3 or 4 pCi/L), you should hire a professional for what is called radon mitigation services. These can reduce radon levels by as much as 99%. Possibilities include:

• Home pressurization, which uses a fan to blow air and create enough pressure to stop radon from entering the home.
• Improvements to air exchange in the building.
• Plastic sheeting in homes with crawl spaces.
• Repairs to cracks in the foundation.
• Soil suction, which pulls radon from under the home and vents it through a pipe into the air.
• Tests on the soil and home appliances.
• Underground or other types of ventilation systems.

You should retest radon levels after mitigation efforts to make sure levels go down.

Radon is part of our natural environment, so you can’t avoid it entirely. However, these strategies can reduce your risk:

• Increase airflow in your home or office by opening windows and using fans frequently (this works temporarily).
• If you smoke, attempt to quite and seek help if you need to.
• Don’t let people smoke in your house — not even the basement or garage.
• Seal any cracks in your floors, walls or foundation.
• Test your home and office for radon levels regularly.

The federal government has regulations about radon levels in workplaces. If you think your workplace might have high radon levels, talk to the company’s safety officer, or contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.