Radon and Lead Inspections

In an effort to get my clients to have their home checked out, for the remainder of 2004, I am reducing my environmental testing by 10%.

Information

It is estimated that radon kills up to 30,000 people each year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer; long term exposure may even cause death. Over 17 million home-owners are affected by water borne radon alone, according to the Environ-mental Protection Agency (EPA). It is emitted in homes from well water during showering, cleaning or brushing your teeth, and doing laundry. Though you cannot see, smell or taste radon, it is there and may be a problem in your home or office. One out of every 15 homes in the United States has high levels of radon gas, according to the EPA. Radon gas is found all over the United States. HUD recommends ALL homes to be tested for radon before purchase.

Radon is said to be the second leading cause of lung cancer, cigarette smoking being the first. If the house has had a radon test already, it could be highly unlikely that you need it again, except for peace of mind.

Radon gasses-off from uranium- or lead-bearing rocks in the substrate. Happenstance dictates whether the ground fissures actually direct this heavy gas underneath a house or not. One house in the street could be affected, the others not; or vice versa. Cracks in any slab will allow the gas to enter the house, where it builds up or gets circulated around the house by normal living, heating, cooling etc. The lowest habitable level must be checked but each floor can be tested.

Advice

Testing is highly recommended if any part of the house is built over a slab or basement or if the foundation venting from the crawlspace is inadequate You should have well-water tested too because, if radon is entrained in the well-water, it is being liberated right at the point of use, within the house.

Testing for radon in air (two canisters per test) is set during a normal inspection and must be left for at least two days. I usually get results within a week. As part of an inspection, the cost is $125 per test (either air or water); $225 for both air and water.

There will be an extra charge (usually $ 100) for testing done at times other than at the inspection.

Note: I only perform these tests. I do not interpret the results, although the lab does. I do no remediation.

Check this web-site for further information:- www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ and select your subject.

Click here to view a sample radon report.

To view the report, you will need Abobe Acrobat Reader. This is a free program you can download here.

Radon Testing North Carolina | North Carolina Home Environmental Testing | Lead Inspection North Carolina